The Mercian Trust

info@merciantrust.org.uk https://www.themerciantrust.org/

The Mercian Trust

About The Mercian Trust

INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES, IMPROVING OUTCOMES

As one Trust we share a common purpose. We call it our social mobility and social justice mission to change our communities through the very best equitable education. When we get this right, it enables our children and young people to fulfil their potential, thrive in the world of work, and make a positive contribution to the local, national and international community.

Put simply, our common purpose is to increase opportunities and improve outcomes for our students. We are particularly committed to students who are under-served and under-resourced. We prioritise those who have special educational needs and disabilities, or who are more likely to face discrimination for whatever reason.

It is this common purpose that fuels everything we do. We deliver impactful, sustainable and ethical continuous school improvement in our schools to ensure the children and young people in the communities we serve learn in the very best and most inclusive schools.

We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve (which are the education investment areas of the West Midlands). We adopt a pioneering spirit and look to lead the sector with innovative solutions to the problems our students and families face.

We are proud of our achievements so far:

Our selective schools are the most successful in the country at increasing the number of local disadvantaged students passing the entrance test and joining our grammar schools.

Our St Matthew’s campus in Walsall Town centre has brought new investment and innovation to the town and is home to our Alternative Provision Free School for students at risk of exclusion from Mainstream education. the campus is home to our Studio School where students can take a more technical or vocational route to university and employment - and also the home of our Digital Skills Hub connecting schools with employers and our students with industry professionals.

Our social mobility and social justice mission goes beyond traditional education and training. We are proud to have hosted the region’s first Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Conference at Villa Park, building on our pioneering work in youth mental health.

Our innovative multi-disciplinary team of clinicians and allied health professionals support our vulnerable students, reducing clinical assessment waiting times from nearly 12 months to just 2 weeks

Our social mobility and social justice mission is both what we do, and who we are. We exist to enable all our students to fulfil their potential, thrive in the world of work and make a positive contribution to their local, national and international community.

Leadership - Dan Parkes, our Chief Executive Officer

Dan was appointed CEO of The Mercian Trust in 2019. Since his appointment the trust has grown from five to twelve schools and is now responsible for the education of more 10,000 children and young people.

Dan has a wealth of leadership experience across the education sector. Prior to his appointment as CEO Dan was the founding Principal of Walsall Studio School (14-19 academy) where his track record of successfully introducing new programmes of study for students and supporting teachers’ re-training in different specialisms proved particularly successful. Previously Dan was a senior leader in Further and Higher Education responsible for large staff teams, systems, and structures within multi-campus organisations. His organisational change experience includes mergers within FE colleges and school Trusts.

Our contribution to the sector

Alongside supporting our twelve schools in Walsall and Sandwell, we see our Trust as being at the heart of collaborative practice, alongside other education organisations, to increase opportunities and improve outcomes for all students, teachers, and communities.

We are proud to participate in the following public forums:

West Midlands Advisory Board - our CEO, Dan Parkes, is a co-opted member
Microsoft UK Education Leadership Steering Group - our CEO, Dan Parkes is chair
Departments for Education Headteacher and CEO Reference Group - our CEO, Dan Parkes, is a member
We are a key member of the steering groups for the Priority Education Investment Areas of Walsall and Sandwell
Trust-wide CPD Leaders Forum - Our Director of Teacher Development, Tracy Goodyear, is the founder of this new national group
TES, Schools Week and other education publications - our leaders in our Trust and schools are regular contributors
Global and national education events and conferences - our leaders in our Trust and schools are regular speakers and facilitators.

The Mercian Trust Vacancies

Teaching Assistant Level 2

Oakwood School, Walsall, West Midlands

Oakwood School, Walsall, West Midlands We are seeking Teaching Assistants Level 2: Permanent | Full-Time; £20,591.00 - £23,541.00 Annually (Actual)
Grade 5 SCP 9-17 | 39 Weeks | 32.5 Hours

New SHARE

New • Apply by Midday, Tuesday 1st Sep, 2026

Playworker

Oakwood School, Walsall, West Midlands

Oakwood School, Walsall, West Midlands We are seeking a Playworker: Permanent | Full-Time; £18,437.39 - £19,025.00 Annually (Actual)
Grade 3 SCP 4-6 | 32.5 Hours | 39 Week

New SHARE

New • Apply by Midnight, Tuesday 1st Sep, 2026

Teaching Assistant Level 2 (Maternity Cover)

Oakwood School, Walsall, West Midlands

Oakwood School, Walsall, West Midlands We are seeking a Teaching Assistant Level 2 (Maternity Cover): Maternity Cover | Full-Time; £20,591.00 - £23,541.00 Annually (Actual)
Grade 5 SCP 9-17 | 32.5 Hours | 39 weeks

New SHARE

New • Apply by Midday, Tuesday 1st Sep, 2026

Reception Secretary

Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall, West Midlands

Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall, West Midlands We are seeking an enthusiastic, dynamic and dedicated Reception Secretary to join our collaborative and supportive team. The ideal candidate will be required to provide a high standard of secretaria...: Permanent/Term Time Only | Part-Time; £13,510.00 - £13,942.00 Annually (Actual)
Grade 3 SCP 4-6: FTE £25,185 - £25,989, Term Time Only plus 1 week

New SHARE

New • Apply by Midnight, Sunday 16th Aug, 2026 • Job start: October 2026

Pastoral Support Worker

New Leaf School, Walsall, West Midlands

New Leaf School, Walsall, West Midlands We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Pastoral Support-Fixed Term Worker to join our team.: Fixed Term | Full-Time; £24,536.00 - £28,141.00 Annually (FTE)
Grade 6 (SCP 15-23)

New SHARE

New • Apply by Midnight, Friday 31st Jul, 2026

New Leaf House - HLTA (KS3)

New Leaf School, Walsall, West Midlands

New Leaf School, Walsall, West Midlands We are seeking to appoint an experienced and highly motivated Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to support our New Leaf House provision. New Leaf House is a specialist provision within the New Le...: Fixed Term | Full-Time; £24,232.00 - £27,151.00 Annually (FTE)
Grade 8 SCP 25 - 31

New SHARE

New • Apply by Midnight, Monday 31st Aug, 2026 • Suitable for ECTs

Key Stage 1 - 3 Cover Supervisor/ PPA Cover

New Leaf School, Walsall, West Midlands

New Leaf School, Walsall, West Midlands We are seeking a committed and confident PPA & Cover Supervisor to support learning across Key Stages 1–3. The successful candidate will supervise classes during teacher absence, deliver planned les...: Permanent | Full-Time; £23,368.00 - £26,807.00 Annually (FTE)
SCP 15 - 23; Term Time Only +1

New SHARE

New • Apply by Midnight, Monday 31st Aug, 2026 • Job start: September 1st 2026

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Part of The Mercian Trust

Aldridge School - a Science College

Secondary, Mixed (11 - 18 years) Tynings Lane, Aldridge, Walsall, West Midlands, WS9 0BG

New Leaf School

Academy alternative provision sponsor led, Mixed (5 - 16 years) Stroud Avenue, Willenhall, Walsall, West Midlands, WV12 4EG

3 vacancies

Oakwood School

Academy special converter, Mixed (3 - 15 years) Druids Walk, Walsall Wood, Walsall, West Midlands, WS9 9JS

3 vacancies

Q3 Academy Great Barr

Secondary, Mixed (11 - 19 years) Wilderness Lane, Great Barr, Birmingham, West Midlands, B43 7SD

Q3 Academy Langley

Secondary, Mixed (11 - 16 years) Moat Road, Oldbury, West Midlands, B68 8ED

Q3 Academy Tipton

Secondary, Mixed (11 - 19 years) Alexandra Road, Tipton, West Midlands, DY4 7NR

Queen Mary's Grammar School

Secondary, Boys (11 - 18 years) Sutton Road, Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 2PG

1 vacancy

Reception Secretary (Closing: Midnight, Sunday 16th Aug, 2026)

Queen Mary's High School

Secondary, Girls (11 - 18 years) Upper Forster Street, Walsall, West Midlands, WS4 2AE

Rushall Primary School

Primary, Mixed (3 - 11 years) Pelsall Lane, Walsall, West Midlands, WS4 1NG

Shire Oak Academy

Secondary, Mixed (11 - 18 years) Lichfield Road, Walsall Wood, Walsall, West Midlands, WS9 9PA

The Ladder School

Free schools alternative provision, Mixed (13 - 18 years) 40 George Street, Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 1RS

The Mercian Trust - Digital & IT

Walsall, , WS1 2PG

The Mercian Trust - Finance

Mercian House, Walsall, Walsall, WS1 2PG

The Mercian Trust - HR & Payroll

Walsall, , WS1 2PG

The Mercian Trust - Multi Disciplinary Team

Walsall, , WS1 2PG

The Mercian Trust - School Improvement

Walsall, , WS1 2PG

The Mercian Trust - School Quality Standards

Walsall, , WS1 2PG

Walsall Studio School

Secondary, Mixed (14 - 19 years) 14a Lower Hall Lane, The Goldmine Centre, Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 1RL

info@merciantrust.org.uk https://www.themerciantrust.org/