
Stuart Ayres (Trustee)
Appointed on 01/09/2024
In September 2019, I concluded 25 rewarding years as Headteacher at St. John’s Primary Academy in Wolverhampton. I then transitioned into a full-time role as CEO of the Future Generation Trust, a multi-academy trust (MAT) that has since grown to include seven primary schools, collectively educating nearly 3,000 pupils.
During my tenure at St. John’s, the school experienced sustained success, achieving Outstanding Ofsted judgements in 2006 and 2009. I'm proud that this legacy of excellence continued, with the academy retaining its Outstanding status in February 2020, shortly after I had moved on.
My Story
Over the years, I have had the privilege of presenting on a range of leadership themes, including:
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Developing a Whole School Vision
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Developing Effective Teams
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Creating a Positive Culture to Impact School Performance
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Effective Recruitment Strategies
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Developing a Multi-Academy Trust (Balancing Alignment and Autonomy)
I have also delivered National Professional Qualification (NPQ) courses at Wolverhampton University for Middle Leaders, Headteachers, and Executive Leaders. Prior to this, I was a regular contributor to training courses for the National College of School Leadership. My experience extends to supporting other providers, including Local Authorities and HR companies, offering guidance and expertise on a range of school improvement topics.
I believe that effective school improvement comes from a simple, yet powerful foundation built on a strong sense of school identity and teamwork. Throughout my career, I have navigated an ever-changing leadership landscape, and I take pride in my ability to remain adaptable while staying true to my core principles.
My commitment to pupils, staff, and the wider community has always been at the heart of my leadership. After 25 happy years as Headteacher, I wanted to mark the occasion in a unique and personal way — by getting my first and only tattoo. The design? The St. John’s school badge. The fact that it had been in my heart for so long made it feel like a natural choice, and it felt especially fitting that an ex-pupil created the tattoo itself. For me, it symbolized everything that role meant to me and the lasting impact of community and shared purpose.