Leadership Changes Academic Year 2019/20

Copy of the letter sent out to parents 26th February 2019.


Dear Parents,

I would like to inform parents of changes to the leadership of St. John’s Primary Academy that will be taking place at the end of the school year.

Following a recruitment programme the Trustees of Future Generation Trust and Governors of St. John’s have appointed Miss Samantha Price as the new Headteacher of St. John’s. Miss Price who is currently Headteacher at another Future Generation Trust Academy, St. Peter’s CE Primary Academy in Hednesford, will take up her new position in September. Some parents will know Miss Price from her time as Deputy Headteacher at St. John’s when she was instrumental in the school achieving significant success. 

Current Head of School, Rebecca Willington, who is on a twelve months secondment from Ridgeway Primary School in Burntwood, will relinquish her role at the end of the Summer term. Mrs Willington has worked tirelessly for St. John’s during her secondment and her contributions have been greatly appreciated. She now has several options available to her and we will keep you informed of developments later in the year.

Stuart Ayres will remain working for Future Generation Trust in September as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). As the Trust grows, with a fourth school planning to join in September, the role of CEO is to oversee all Academies and to ensure that the standards continue to be high and to look at how the Academies work together for the benefit of all pupils and staff, alongside negotiations for a fifth school to join in 2020. Future Generation Trust Head Office will be based at St John’s, but will be separate to the school, and therefore Stuart will continue to be seen at St. John’s however will have limited day to day involvement with the running of the academy.

After a significant period of stability at St. John’s the change in leadership presents some exciting opportunities with Trustees and Governors being confident that the appointment of Samantha Price will ensure that St. John’s continues to thrive.

Miss Price is a successful Headteacher in her own right and furthermore, identifies extremely strongly with the culture of St. John’s. She is totally committed to maintaining our excellent reputation and relishes this opportunity to return.

l know that pupils, parents and staff will welcome her back into our community.

Yours sincerely

Rob Grinsted | Chair of Governors
Fliss Dale | Chair of Future Generation Trust