Don’t be surprised to find the new head of a prestigious Shropshire school stacking chairs away after assembly or clearing desks at the end of a parents’ evening.
Jonathan Shaw, who took up the role this month, said he wants to lead Ellesmere College by example and has a collaborative approach to leadership – listening to the ideas of staff, parents and pupils is central to his educational philosophy.
Mr Shaw said his door will always be open as he takes on this new and ‘exciting’ challenge, he wants to ensure Ellesmere continues to be a ‘school with a soul’.
“It is hard to define what that is but you know it when you see it,” he said.
“Ellesmere College chimes with my own educational outlook. We want all pupils to leave with the skills, character, confidence and sense of responsibility to make a difference in the world. Values are very important to me.
“Already people have been very welcoming and friendly, I can see they are invested in Ellesmere and the part it has played in their lives, both pupils and staff.
“The appeal of the school and the opportunity to lead Ellesmere College made it an easy decision to move to this beautiful part of the world and I hope to be an innovative head, leading with enthusiasm, confidence and fresh ideas for the next chapter.”
Mr Shaw brings a depth and breadth of experience working both in the independent and state school sectors, working overseas in Kenya and in Guernsey, in the Channel Islands. In addition, he has been an Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) school inspector since 2013 and a safeguarding lead for eight years.
Most recently, he was the Head of King’s Ely Senior School, a school of over 600 pupils in Cambridgeshire and said he is enjoying ‘the beauty of the rolling Shropshire hills having come from the ‘flat Fenlands.
Since moving, he has been exploring Shropshire and as a keen runner he has already taken part in parkruns in Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch and Telford, as well as playing golf on the school course.
Mr Shaw has moved with his wife Katherine, an English teacher, and his two children William, 19, and Amelia, 21.
He said: “I am looking forward to getting to know the school community. There is already a culture of kindness, and I am keen to build upon this legacy of my predecessors.
“Ellesmere is a school with a rich history, I am keen to honour these traditions whilst being educationally progressive. The world is changing rapidly and our young people need to be equipped to thrive in an environment that is very different to the one in which many of us have grown up in.
“I know there will also be challenges; the changes in VAT have created an additional financial burden. It is vital to ensure that as a school we provide the very best possible educational experience here.
“Weekly or flexi-boarding is a potential area for growth, particularly for those who live too far for a daily commute. We are blessed with a beautiful campus, with plenty of space to play and explore. An indoor tennis centre and golf course are two of the exceptional facilities that make Ellesmere a pretty special place to be.
“I am conscious that parents make big sacrifices to send their children here.”
Mr Shaw also intends to update the interiors of the school to ensure it is a bright, welcoming atmosphere.
He will continue his role as an ISI inspector and said it is a privilege to visit other schools to see best practice in action, whilst also getting to grips with the regulatory requirements.
Prior to King’s Ely and Elizabeth College in Guernsey, he worked as a housemaster at Ardingly College – another school in the Woodard Trust alongside Ellesmere College.
“I am pleased to be joining another Woodard school with its strong Christian foundation,” he added.
“It is a privilege to lead such a vibrant school and I am looking forward to the College being back in full swing with the arrival of students next week.”
Families and students interested in finding out what makes Ellesmere College special are invited to an Open Morning to meet Mr Shaw and other staff on October 11.
For more information about Ellesmere College visit www.ellesmere.com.
