Headteacher - CE Primary School

Headteacher

Location: School Street (off Alma Street), Darlaston, West Midlands, WS10 8DL

Salary Range: £78,702 - £91,158 (L18 – L24)

Reference: SBMAT
351

Required start date: September 2026

Due to the retirement of the current Headteacher, the Trustees of St. Bartholomew’s CE Multi‑Academy Trust are seeking to appoint an inspirational, values‑driven and child‑centred Headteacher who will lead Old Church CE Primary School on the next stage of their journey.

Old Church CE Primary School is an oversubscribed two‑form entry primary school serving approximately 446 pupils aged 3–11 in Darlaston, Walsall. The school is closely linked to St. Lawrence Church and positively promotes a Christian ethos and values. The school was graded as Good overall in May 2024, with the Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development and Leadership and Management graded as Good and Early Years provision graded as Outstanding
. Outcomes in 2025 were in line with national figures.

The successful candidate will work closely with the local governing board and lead the dedicated and committed staff team to build upon the school’s successes and further enhance continued rapid school improvement so that all staff and children thrive and flourish.

• A track record of raising standards and improving outcomes for all pupils at a senior leadership level.
• The proven ability to ensure teaching, learning and progress standards are consistently exceptional.
• A commitment to championing inclusion, ensuring the needs of all learners are met with ambition, precision and compassion.
• Proactive and inspirational leadership capable of sustaining excellence, demonstrating the highest standards in curriculum leadership, staff development, governance, safeguarding, inclusion and the quality of education.
• The ability to inspire and develop staff to become exceptional practitioners.
• A commitment to nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking combined with strong operational management skills.
• A proven, continual desire to improve personal leadership practice and respond enthusiastically to developmental support.
• High expectations for the achievement and success of every child and member of staff.
• The proven ability to support, lead and inspire colleagues by example.
• The ability to develop positive, collaborative relationships with all stakeholders.
• A commitment to upholding the Christian distinctiveness of the school and Trust.

• Well‑behaved, kind, polite and considerate children.
• A committed, child‑centred and dedicated staff team.
• Supportive governors and Trust leaders who aim to provide the very best for the school’s children, staff and parents.
• Excellent community engagement.
• Access to Trust‑wide professional development, collaboration and support networks.
• Exceptional Trust‑wide support.
• Executive leadership support.
• Opportunities to contribute to Trust initiatives and share best practice.
• Future promotional opportunities within St. Bartholomew’s CE Multi‑Academy Trust and beyond.

To discuss the role further or arrange visits to the school, please contact Katy Kent (CEO) via email at , telephone: 07876 560125, or Jo Harrison (Director of Education) via email at

Visits to the school are warmly encouraged.

Please make reference to the person specification criteria and, where possible, cite personal examples in your application.

Closing date for applications: Monday 9th March 2026, at 9.00 am

To apply: Please complete the application form and equality and diversity recruitment monitoring form and submit to  quoting reference SBMAT
351 in the subject line of your email. Further information is available at

St Bartholomew’s CE Multi‑Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to necessary pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS, Prohibition List, Barred List, Childcare Disqualification (where applicable), qualifications (where applicable), medical fitness, identity and right to work.

All applicants will be required to provide two suitable professional references.

It is an offence to apply if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. For further information, please refer to the Trust's policy on ex‑offenders.

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies for all schools within St Bartholomew's CE Multi Academy Trust are available on the respective schools' websites. Links to all of our schools are available from the homepage.