PRINCIPAL
Haberdashers' Abraham Darby, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 5HX19 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2027
Closing date
13 October 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
24 September 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L27 to L35
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Haberdashers' West Midlands Academies Trust (HWMAT) is an aspirational school trust currently supporting two secondary schools and an independent preparatory school in Newport and Telford. HWMAT's vision is to develop into a significant and highly regarded group of schools based around these geographic hubs and providing outstanding opportunities that will help students in the local area to realise their full potential. The Trust harnesses the educational expertise offered by its sponsor, The Haberdashers' Company, which operates schools nationally in London, Wales and the Midlands.
HWMAT now seeks an inspiring Principal, following the planned retirement of the current Principal, to lead Haberdashers' Abraham Darby, a vibrant, non-selective secondary academy serving the Ironbridge Gorge community in Madeley, Telford. The appointee will build on the school's strong tradition of delivering education in the widest sense, continuing to raise standards and expand opportunity for a diverse student population.
The new Principal will be a creative, determined and empathetic leader with a track record of success in effecting positive change and high standards. She or he will be a keen strategist, with the intellect and personal authority to lead and develop a thriving, inclusive comprehensive academy; and have the open communication style to build close connections with all stakeholders including families, The Haberdashers' Company and wider partners. The appointee will have the highest expectations of themselves as well as those around them and be flexible, energetic, and resilient. Above all else he or she will demonstrate a profound resonance with the transformative power of high-quality education.
What the school offers its staff
Pension: Membership of Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
Training, Induction and Support: The successful candidate will be supported with a full induction programme, including any necessary additional training and mentoring to be provided by the school, Haberdashers West Midlands Academy Trust, and other external organisations.
Further information about the job
The Trust and Sponsor
Haberdashers' Abraham Darby is part of the Haberdashers' West Midlands Academies Trust (HWMAT), and, through its sponsorship arrangements, part of the wider national family of schools associated with the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers — a family that includes both private and state schools in London and Wales. This affiliation gives the school access to a network of high-performing schools, shared expertise, professional development and governance support, and a long tradition of academic ambition and civic purpose.
The Trust and its sponsor are committed to supporting the leadership and improvement of Haberdashers' Abraham Darby: the sponsor directly funds ASPIRE, an innovative sixth-form mentoring initiative delivered in partnership with the Trust, and the incoming Principal will have the backing of both the HWMAT Board of Trustees and its executive team.
The School
Haberdashers' Abraham Darby is a coeducational secondary school with a sixth form, educating around 1,058 pupils aged 11–18 in Madeley, Telford. The school converted to academy status in 2009 and is sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers. It occupies a purpose-built, modern school building and serves a community with well-above-average levels of socio-economic disadvantage — 45% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, against a national average of 28.9% — alongside a broadly average proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
The school is anchored by three clear values — Aspiration, Respect and Excellence (ARE) — and a vision of "Success for All" that runs through its curriculum, pastoral system and extra-curricular offer. It has a genuinely thriving extra-curricular programme, with particular strength and a track record of external success in music (including its Abraham Darby Showband), rugby, and a fast-growing netball programme, alongside Duke of Edinburgh's Award, cadets and a strong sixth-form enrichment offer. The school also benefits from a growing alumni network who return to support current pupils through mentoring, careers talks and work experience. The school is located within a short distance from the picturesque River Severn and Ironbridge Gorge, not far from Telford and Shrewsbury, with good railway, road and motorway links to both the M6 and M54.
The school is backed by a genuinely supportive Trust — both the HWMAT Board of Trustees and the executive team — and by its sponsor, the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers. The Local Governing Body includes skilled, experienced governors who combine strong support with rigorous, informed challenge. The school benefits from constructive relationships with the Department for Education, Telford & Wrekin local authority and neighbouring schools. Staff work hard, and there is a real and growing appetite across the local community — parents, alumni and local employers — to support the school and help it improve outcomes for every pupil.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
Offers of employment are subject to the following checks:
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) including Children's Barred
Medical
Online searches
Prohibition from teaching
Right to work in UK
Satisfactory references
Suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Please complete the online application.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Apply for this jobAdditional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Haberdashers' Abraham Darby
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 1084 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- deborah.tudor@taw.org.uk
- Phone number
- 01952386000
The School
Haberdashers' Abraham Darby is a coeducational secondary school with a sixth form, educating around 1,058 pupils aged 11–18 in Madeley, Telford. The school converted to academy status in 2009 and is sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers. It occupies a purpose-built, modern school building and serves a community with well-above-average levels of socio-economic disadvantage — 45% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, against a national average of 28.9% — alongside a broadly average proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
The school is anchored by three clear values — Aspiration, Respect and Excellence (ARE) — and a vision of "Success for All" that runs through its curriculum, pastoral system and extra-curricular offer. It has a genuinely thriving extra-curricular programme, with particular strength and a track record of external success in music (including its Abraham Darby Showband), rugby, and a fast-growing netball programme, alongside Duke of Edinburgh's Award, cadets and a strong sixth-form enrichment offer. The school also benefits from a growing alumni network who return to support current pupils through mentoring, careers talks and work experience. The school is located within a short distance from the picturesque River Severn and Ironbridge Gorge, not far from Telford and Shrewsbury, with good railway, road and motorway links to both the M6 and M54.
The school is backed by a genuinely supportive Trust — both the HWMAT Board of Trustees and the executive team — and by its sponsor, the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers. The Local Governing Body includes skilled, experienced governors who combine strong support with rigorous, informed challenge. The school benefits from constructive relationships with the Department for Education, Telford & Wrekin local authority and neighbouring schools. Staff work hard, and there is a real and growing appetite across the local community — parents, alumni and local employers — to support the school and help it improve outcomes for every pupil.
The Pathways Provision (‘ADAPT and THRIVE’) at Haberdashers' Abraham Darby is a nurture-based support programme for the school's most vulnerable learners, combining small-group teaching (1:6 staff-to-pupil ratio), dedicated facilities, vocational and enrichment opportunities, and pastoral care to help students belong, thrive, and achieve academically and socially. This provision is supported by a generous financial contribution from the Haberdashers' Company.
The Trust and Sponsor
Haberdashers' Abraham Darby is part of the Haberdashers' West Midlands Academies Trust (HWMAT), and, through its sponsorship arrangements, part of the wider national family of schools associated with the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers — a family that includes both private and state schools in London and Wales. This affiliation gives the school access to a network of high-performing schools, shared expertise, professional development and governance support, and a long tradition of academic ambition and civic purpose.
The Trust and its sponsor are committed to supporting the leadership and improvement of Haberdashers' Abraham Darby: the sponsor directly funds ASPIRE, an innovative sixth-form mentoring initiative delivered in partnership with the Trust, and the incoming Principal will have the backing of both the HWMAT Board of Trustees and its executive team.
Arranging a visit to Haberdashers' Abraham Darby
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email deborah.tudor@taw.org.uk.
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