Headline: Shifnal, Shropshire (travel across West Midlands sites) | £28,000 actual | 35 hours per week, term-time contract plus training and governance weeks
Closing date: 18 December 2026 at 5pm (the advert notes the role may close earlier depending on application numbers)
Remote: No - based in Shifnal with travel across Brightstar Futures sites
About the Organisation
Brightstar exists to change young lives. Through education, boxing and mentoring, the charity helps young people overcome barriers, unlock their potential and build futures they can be proud of. Its alternative provision, Brightstar Futures, supports young people aged 11-16 who face barriers to mainstream education, across multiple sites in the West Midlands and surrounding areas.
About the Role
Head of Education is a senior leadership role within Brightstar Futures. Above all it is a people leadership role: you will lead, develop and hold accountable a team of up to eight teachers and coaches, so that every young person receives consistently high-quality education, wherever they learn. Working closely with pastoral, safeguarding and operational teams, you will own the performance of the education department and contribute to decisions across the organisation as a member of Brightstar's senior leadership team. QTS is not essential - Brightstar is looking for an outstanding leader of people who understands education, rather than simply an outstanding educator who can manage people.
What You'll Do
- Directly lead, manage and inspire a team of up to eight teachers and coaches: clear expectations, regular one-to-ones, supervision, performance reviews, coaching and professional development
- Take accountability for the quality of education across all Futures sites: visit sites, observe teaching, coaching and mentoring, and drive consistent standards
- Monitor learner attendance, engagement, progress and qualifications; keep learning plans and progress records accurate; report on educational performance to the senior leadership team
- Oversee consistent education delivery across multiple sites, working with operations colleagues on staffing, resources and compliance
- Oversee a personalised curriculum combining English and maths with vocational, enrichment and sport-based pathways, ensuring SEND needs and EHCP outcomes are reflected in learning plans
- As a senior leadership team member, own departmental performance, lead the department's quarterly goals through the EOS management system and contribute to wider organisational decisions
What They're Looking For
Essential: significant experience leading and managing staff in education or a closely related setting; proven ability to develop people and improve team performance; experience managing underperformance and having difficult conversations; strong understanding of educational quality, teaching, learning and assessment; experience working with young people with SEND, SEMH or significant barriers to education; experience using performance data to drive improvement; strong coaching, communication and relationship-building skills; understanding of safeguarding and relevant educational requirements; full UK driving licence and access to own transport; commitment to Brightstar's mission and values.
Desirable: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or another recognised teaching qualification; experience within alternative provision, a PRU or specialist education; experience leading teams across multiple sites; senior leadership team experience; experience implementing quality improvement plans; knowledge of EHCP processes and qualification frameworks; experience managing departmental budgets; experience using EOS or similar performance management systems.
Practical Details
- Salary: £28,000 actual
- Hours: 35 hours per week
- Contract: term-time only, plus one training week and two governance weeks
- Location: Unit 1 Old Smithfield Industrial Estate, Aston Street, Shifnal TF11 8DT, with travel across Brightstar Futures sites in the West Midlands
- Reports to: Integrator / Chief Operating Officer
- Benefits: pension scheme (5% employee / 3% employer contribution) and Bupa Cash Plan
- Safeguarding: Brightstar follows safer recruitment practice in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education; this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
How to Apply
Submit an application form explaining how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria to careers@brightstarboxing.co.uk. Enquiries go to the same address, and informal conversations about the role are welcomed. Applications close 18 December 2026 at 5pm, although the role may close earlier depending on application numbers. Full job information pack and listing: https://brightstarcommunity.co.uk/career/head-of-education-shifnal-with-travel-across-west-midlands/
Apply for this role →
Closing date: 18 December 2026 at 5pm (the advert notes the role may close earlier depending on application numbers)
Remote: No - based in Shifnal with travel across Brightstar Futures sites
About the Organisation
Brightstar exists to change young lives. Through education, boxing and mentoring, the charity helps young people overcome barriers, unlock their potential and build futures they can be proud of. Its alternative provision, Brightstar Futures, supports young people aged 11-16 who face barriers to mainstream education, across multiple sites in the West Midlands and surrounding areas.
About the Role
Head of Education is a senior leadership role within Brightstar Futures. Above all it is a people leadership role: you will lead, develop and hold accountable a team of up to eight teachers and coaches, so that every young person receives consistently high-quality education, wherever they learn. Working closely with pastoral, safeguarding and operational teams, you will own the performance of the education department and contribute to decisions across the organisation as a member of Brightstar's senior leadership team. QTS is not essential - Brightstar is looking for an outstanding leader of people who understands education, rather than simply an outstanding educator who can manage people.
What You'll Do
- Directly lead, manage and inspire a team of up to eight teachers and coaches: clear expectations, regular one-to-ones, supervision, performance reviews, coaching and professional development
- Take accountability for the quality of education across all Futures sites: visit sites, observe teaching, coaching and mentoring, and drive consistent standards
- Monitor learner attendance, engagement, progress and qualifications; keep learning plans and progress records accurate; report on educational performance to the senior leadership team
- Oversee consistent education delivery across multiple sites, working with operations colleagues on staffing, resources and compliance
- Oversee a personalised curriculum combining English and maths with vocational, enrichment and sport-based pathways, ensuring SEND needs and EHCP outcomes are reflected in learning plans
- As a senior leadership team member, own departmental performance, lead the department's quarterly goals through the EOS management system and contribute to wider organisational decisions
What They're Looking For
Essential: significant experience leading and managing staff in education or a closely related setting; proven ability to develop people and improve team performance; experience managing underperformance and having difficult conversations; strong understanding of educational quality, teaching, learning and assessment; experience working with young people with SEND, SEMH or significant barriers to education; experience using performance data to drive improvement; strong coaching, communication and relationship-building skills; understanding of safeguarding and relevant educational requirements; full UK driving licence and access to own transport; commitment to Brightstar's mission and values.
Desirable: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or another recognised teaching qualification; experience within alternative provision, a PRU or specialist education; experience leading teams across multiple sites; senior leadership team experience; experience implementing quality improvement plans; knowledge of EHCP processes and qualification frameworks; experience managing departmental budgets; experience using EOS or similar performance management systems.
Practical Details
- Salary: £28,000 actual
- Hours: 35 hours per week
- Contract: term-time only, plus one training week and two governance weeks
- Location: Unit 1 Old Smithfield Industrial Estate, Aston Street, Shifnal TF11 8DT, with travel across Brightstar Futures sites in the West Midlands
- Reports to: Integrator / Chief Operating Officer
- Benefits: pension scheme (5% employee / 3% employer contribution) and Bupa Cash Plan
- Safeguarding: Brightstar follows safer recruitment practice in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education; this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
How to Apply
Submit an application form explaining how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria to careers@brightstarboxing.co.uk. Enquiries go to the same address, and informal conversations about the role are welcomed. Applications close 18 December 2026 at 5pm, although the role may close earlier depending on application numbers. Full job information pack and listing: https://brightstarcommunity.co.uk/career/head-of-education-shifnal-with-travel-across-west-midlands/