Welcoming Great People:

Discover Your Ideal Work-Life Balance in South Warwickshire

If you're considering a move, you couldn't have chosen a more idyllic setting than South Warwickshire. Our region, home to The Stour Federation's five primary schools, offers a truly exceptional quality of life, blending the charm of rural England with easy access to cultural hubs.

Imagine working in our welcoming schools nestled within beautiful, historic villages like Shipston, Long Compton, Brailes, Kineton, and Wilmcote, all situated on the doorstep of the Cotswolds and just a stone's throw from the historic Stratford-upon-Avon. Our schools provide a nurturing and supportive environment, where you can truly make a difference in the lives of children.

Shipston-on-Stour, a gem within our region, was recently recognized by The Times as one of the best places to live in England, reflecting the area's undeniable appeal. You’ll find a vibrant community, charming local shops, and a delightful atmosphere.
Beyond the classroom, South Warwickshire offers a wealth of opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Explore the rolling hills of the Cotswolds with its picturesque villages and country pubs. Spend a weekend immersing yourself in the rich history and cultural offerings of Stratford-upon-Avon, home to Shakespeare's birthplace and the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the scenic canals, or discover the hidden gems of our local towns.
For those seeking a taste of city life, Birmingham, a dynamic and diverse city, is within easy reach. Here, you can enjoy world-class theatre, music venues, art galleries, and a thriving culinary scene.

South Warwickshire boasts excellent transport links, making it easy to connect with the rest of the UK. Regular train services provide convenient access to London and other major cities. The region is also well-connected by road, and Birmingham Airport offers a wide range of domestic and international flights. Furthermore, the area is ideal for cycling and walking, with numerous scenic routes to explore.

At The Stour Federation, we believe in supporting our staff both professionally and personally. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance, and we are committed to providing our teachers and teaching assistants with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

Come and experience the unique blend of rural tranquility and cultural richness that South Warwickshire has to offer. Join The Stour Federation and discover a place where you can truly live, work, and flourish.
 

What our Staff Say

"I joined the Stour Federation Trust to complete my PGCE teacher training, throughout which I was mentored by experienced, passionate teachers and leaders. Over the last 10 years, I’ve taught as a class teacher and have been continually supported and inspired. The ongoing professional development (CPD) that all staff are offered is exceptional, both within the Trust and from other professional bodies. I find the Trust encourages staff to operate with synergy, celebrating the strengths of individuals and schools. Leaders are conscious of workload while being forward-thinking and innovative. The wealth of opportunities provided has empowered me to grow both professionally and personally, ultimately shaping how I work in my role as Trust Improvement Leader. It is a pleasure to work with ambitious, proactive colleagues and families in a fast-paced, nurturing environment."

"I’m excited to have recently started at the Stour Federation and am truly grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received. The staff have been incredibly supportive, helping me settle in and I have felt part of the team right from the start. I’m also appreciative of the trust’s strong support which has made my transition smooth and enjoyable and I look forward to contributing to this positive and nurturing environment."

Growing Great People

The challenge to all staff within our Academy Trust is to always improve, to always get better; to continually grow as great teachers. They all see themselves as learners; empowered to make decisions, to be collaborative, to lead and to grow. The quality of teaching throughout our school is of paramount importance and we view our staff as our greatest assets. Our professional growth processes exist to ensure that all our staff are able to be the very best they can be, leading to every child being able to reach the highest possible standards.

We want to help and support our teachers, teaching assistants, office staff and school leaders to become the very best version of themselves so that our children benefit from the best possible provision. We also want to ensure that our staff feel able to make the next steps in their career but we also wish to create a culture within our Trust that encourages them to stay and grow with us.

Professional growth within our school has several purposes:

• To build and enhance expertise, and secure continuous growth and improvement.
• To enable reflection on strengths and successes, and areas for further growth.
• To recognise and promote a culture of professionalism.

Effective professional development is an essential part of securing effective performance. It requires both an individual desire and willingness to continually develop and a shared commitment from our staff to support and collaborate with one another. This policy is designed to change the way we view accountability and continuous professional development. Professional growth within our school is ‘done by’ our staff, not ‘done to’ them. Within our school we have high aspirations for ourselves; a belief and pride that we can be the very best, driven by a sense of moral purpose and desire to continuously grow and improve. We regard ‘Growing Great People’ as a key driver not only for staff development and school improvement, but also for recruitment, retention, and wellbeing.

The Stour Federation Way: 10 PRINCIPLES FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE

Our aim is to create a school community where everyone – staff, children and families and our wider communities – learns, grows, and succeeds together. We believe that when everyone feels valued and supported, we all flourish. The Stour Federation Way outlines our 10 guiding principles for continuous improvement and mutual respect for people.

The Flourishing Schools research points to the importance of developing a learning culture that is future focused and marked by continual improvement.

We are committed to building a learning culture that looks to the future and is always striving to improve. Just as a gardener gently tends to their plants, we believe in "Kaizen" – making small, consistent changes for the better. This approach creates an ethic of excellence, where learning is continuous, and change is welcomed.  We need a stable core to safeguard what we stand for and stay on track,  but a disruptive edge to stay fresh and get better.  
 

We understand that creating this environment requires mutual respect. Leaders at all levels must foster trust and understanding among all team members. We need a strong foundation to uphold our values, while also being open to new ideas that help us grow. Leadership is about inspiring and motivating people, while management is about organising the systems that support our work. Both are vital.

Effective leadership means clearly defining our goals, sharing a path to achieve them, and supporting our team by removing obstacles. We value everyone's ideas and contributions, recognising that our culture is shaped by our values and the behaviours and feelings of each individual.

Stories help us connect and understand our shared identity. They remind us of who we are and what we aspire to be. Clear guidelines for how we interact as a team are essential for our success. Continuous improvement and respect for people are ongoing journeys, as we are always striving to be better.
 

Part I Philosophy - Thinking Long Term 

Principle 1. Plan for the Future

• We make decisions that benefit our staff, children, families and communities in the long run.
• We build strong relationships, taking time to connect with each other, not just focusing on tasks.
• We have a clear purpose, guiding our decisions and creating a united team focused on learning and wellbeing.
• We understand our place in the history of The Stour Federation and aim to build upon it.
• We create lasting value for our children, staff, families, and communities.
• We take responsibility for our actions and their impact.
• We encourage everyone to share their talents and ideas to reach challenging goals.

Part II: Processes - Delivering Value 

Principle 2. Connect People and Processes   

• We design our work to flow smoothly, quickly identifying any problems.
• This improves productivity, quality, and morale.

Principle 3. Balance the Workload

• We work at a steady pace, avoiding periods of overload.
• We remove unnecessary tasks to focus on what truly matters.
• We organise our resources and schedules to create a calm and productive environment.
• We keep only what is important through prioritisation, deimplementation and standardising our systems, and maintain these habits.

Principle 4. Standardise Our Work

• Strive for stable, repeatable methods to maintain a steady rhythm in our processes.  Standardised work is habit-forming and a key facilitator of building quality. 
• Capture the accumulated learning about a process up to a point in time by standardising today’s best practices until they become habit.
• Welcome creative and individual expression to improve upon the standardised work; then incorporate it into the new standardised work.  Today’s standardisation is the necessary foundation on which tomorrow’s improvement will be based.
• Standardised work is the basis for empowering staff, sharing ideas for improvement and driving innovation in the workplace.

Principle 5. Build in Quality  

• We prioritise quality in everything we do for our children, staff, families, and communities.
• We use effective ways to check our work.
• We value feedback, even negative feedback, as a way to improve.
• We have support systems in place to quickly address any problems.
• We are honest about weaknesses and use them to improve.

Principle 6. Use Technology Wisely

• We use technology to support our people and processes, not just because it's new.
• We test new technology before using it widely.
• We help everyone understand how to use technology effectively.

Part III: People - Respect, Challenge, and Grow 

Principle 7. Develop Strong Leaders.

• We grow leaders from within our team, who understand our work and values.
• Leaders are role models, demonstrating our vision, values, and ways of working.
• Leaders teach and mentor others.
• We build a culture of trust and growth, where everyone can develop their skills.
• We learn about our own and other people's strengths and weaknesses, to build strong teams.
• We work in teams to solve problems.

Principle 8. Work with Our Partners  

• We treat our partners – supply teachers, external professionals, etc. – as part of our team.
• We challenge them to improve, showing we value their contribution.

Part IV: Problem Solving—Think and Act Scientifically

Principle 9. Observe and Learn   

• We solve problems by observing firsthand and verifying information.
• We develop a scientific approach to problem-solving.
• We use both quick thinking and considered thinking.
• We take responsibility for our actions.
• We practice and develop good habits with support.
• One person is responsible for each action, while working with the team.

Principle 10. Align Our Goals  

• We align our goals at all levels to create a clear direction.
• How we make decisions is as important as the decision itself.
• We assume the best in people.
• We regularly review and refine our work to identify areas for improvement.

This document is a living guide, and we will continue to refine it as we learn and grow together.