We are looking for an exceptional, values-led Headteacher who understands what makes Blackfriars Academy such a special place and who will be an inspirational and compassionate leader, able to bring people together around a shared purpose. You will share our belief that education has the power to transform lives and have the vision and ambition to ensure that every pupil, regardless of their starting point or the barriers they face, receives a highly personalised, meaningful and enriching education.
Our pupils are extraordinary, individual and diverse. They have a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities, including autism, moderate and severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities, and complex sensory and medical needs. They require a leader who is passionate about ensuring that every young person is understood, valued and supported to achieve their potential.
We are looking for someone who can confidently lead an ambitious special school, while never losing sight of the individual child at the heart of every decision. You will recognise that progress looks different for every young person and be equally ambitious for their communication, independence, wellbeing, personal development and preparation for adulthood as you are for their academic and accredited outcomes.
You will be a visible, approachable and trusted leader who builds strong relationships with pupils, families, staff and the wide range of professionals who support our young people. You will understand that the very best specialist education is built upon effective partnership with families, health and social care professionals and the wider community, and will lead those relationships with empathy, warmth and integrity.
This is a role for someone who combines strategic leadership with genuine humanity – someone who can maintain high expectations, build upon the strengths of the Academy and drive continued improvement, while creating a safe, secure and positive environment in which pupils and staff are given every opportunity to flourish.
Above all, we are looking for a Headteacher who will embrace what makes Blackfriars special, champion our pupils with unwavering belief and ensure they develop the voice, confidence, independence and skills they need for life beyond Blackfriars.
If you would like to arrange a tour of the School or for a further discussion about the role, please email our National Education Director of Special and Inclusion, Ian Armstrong (contact details can be found on the advert attachment).
Blackfriars Academy is a truly exceptional place to learn and grow.
We are a vibrant learning community of around 120 students aged 11 to 16, supported by more than 90 dedicated staff, working together to enable young people with a diverse range of special educational needs to achieve their full potential.
At the heart of Blackfriars is the belief that education can transform lives. We provide an ambitious and highly personalised curriculum which recognises that success looks different for every pupil and which places communication, independence and preparation for adulthood at its heart.
Our established values and PRIDE in our school community reflect our determination to succeed while ensuring pupils experience the enjoyment of learning and life. We want every young person to have a voice, to experience success and to leave us better prepared for their next steps.
At Blackfriars, our young people do not simply attend school, they are known, valued, challenged and supported to flourish.
At
Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life.
Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or
leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.
Our
values— opportunity, integrity, community, and equity —guide everything we
do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of
learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working
together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice
matters, and every learner thrives.
We
are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools,
proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.
Our
people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development
through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes,
and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled,
confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a
culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real
difference.
You
will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a
strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has
an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored
learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.
If
you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create
futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.
Together,
let’s make the remarkable happen.
We
believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.
Make
a life-changing difference in one of our special schools
Our
special schools are inspiring, welcoming and truly life-changing places to
work. Every day, our dedicated teams help children and young people with a wide
range of special educational needs and disabilities to discover their
strengths, achieve their ambitions and live happy, fulfilling lives.
Our
pupils include children and young people with profound and multiple learning
disabilities, complex medical needs, sensory impairments, moderate and severe
learning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Every
pupil is unique, and every achievement and milestone is recognised and
celebrated.
Join
us and help transform lives, including your own.
Shaw
Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or
Support Staff employment:
- An
excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers
Pension (Teaching Staff)
- Support Staff only based on
working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first
day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’
service including Bank Holidays)
- Access
to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to
support your well-being.
- Free
DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive
discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers
from hundreds of the biggest brands.
- Free
Eye Tests
- Cycle
to work scheme
- Access to our Institute of
Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and
flourish in your role and in the Trust.
We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re
committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a
rewarding one.
Colleagues
within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both
in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the
National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme
delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition
Institute.
- Experienced
leadership and subject-specific support.
- Guidance
from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
- Access
to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
- Opportunities
to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional
Advocate.
- Participating
in peer reviews.
- Access
to a suite of online courses.
- Placement
projects within our family of schools.
Blackfriars Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment, click here to review Safeguarding and Pupil Protection Policy https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/key-information
This position is subject to robust vetting procedures, including an online search for all shortlisted candidates, successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks. You will be asked to disclose all relevant unspent and, where applicable, unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions, and convictions.
As part of our safer recruitment and pre-employment checking process, all shortlisted candidates are required to provide original documentation to verify their identity, qualifications and RTW in the UK. Shaw Education Trust requires all applicants to be eligible to work in the UK with no restrictions as we are unable to offer sponsorship/work visas.
This role involves working with children and young people and therefore carries specific safeguarding responsibilities, details of these responsibilities are set out in the JD. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be required to disclose relevant criminal history information in accordance with current legislation and guidance.
Check if you need to tell someone about your criminal record: https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record/what-information-you-need-to-give
SET is an Equal Opportunities employer, we are fully committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes promote EDI at every stage.
In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.
We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified.