Joining Mercia Learning Trust means being part of an exceptional team of staff committed to continuous improvement, partnership and securing positive outcomes for every pupil. Our trust is one of the strongest and most effective school trusts in the region.

You will work in an exceptional school, alongside a strong team of professionals, with great pupils.

We share the same mission and moral purpose to empower everyone in our communities, especially the most disadvantaged, to succeed.

We believe pupils should attend a school that focuses on academic excellence, cultural capital and the development of character.

We are looking for staff who share our high expectations to make sure all pupils are successful and leave our schools well-prepared for their future. 

Neil Miley, CEO

Why do we exist?

To empower everyone in our communities, especially the most disadvantaged, to succeed.

How do we behave?

Everything we do is guided by three core values:

We are kind – showing care and supporting each other.

We have integrity – doing the right thing and always putting children first.

We work with diligence - overcoming obstacles and having no excuses.

What do we do?

We run schools that focus on academic excellence, cultural capital and the development of character.

How will we succeed?

We have three strategic anchors that guide our success:

A culture of excellence - making sure everything we do is of an exceptionally high standard, so our pupils get the very best education. We recognise excellence is not about perfection; it is about striving to be better every day, learning from our experiences and celebrating progress.

Academic focus - we will deliver an exceptional curriculum to provide every child with the knowledge, skills, character development and cultural capital they need to succeed. We want to create a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

Purposeful collaboration - providing opportunities for all staff to share best practice, solve problems and work together in creating a unified approach to achieving our mission.

Every member of our trust community - staff, pupils, and families - plays a role in this shared mission. We are working together to create a brighter future for all.

The Mercia Excellence Framework sets out the shared beliefs, principles and ways of working that unite our schools and shape our culture.

The framework provides clarity rather than prescription. It ensures high standards across our trust, while respecting the identity and context of each school. Above all, it exists to secure the very best outcomes for children, especially the most disadvantaged.

The framework is brought to life through a number of interconnected areas that define what excellence looks like across our trust.

Leadership and culture

Leaders at all levels model our values, act with moral purpose and build strong, cohesive teams. Leadership is visible, reflective and focused on continuous improvement.

Teaching and learning

Teaching is the core business of our trust. We prioritise high-quality instruction, clear routines and ongoing professional development so that teaching is strong every day, for every child.

Behaviour and attendance

Calm, safe and well-ordered schools are the foundation for learning. Clear expectations, strong relationships and early intervention ensure pupils feel secure, supported and ready to learn.

Curriculum and literacy

Our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and carefully sequenced. Literacy is the foundation of all learning, with reading, writing and oracy embedded across subjects and phases.

Personal development

We broaden horizons and build character through rich experiences, cultural opportunities and high-quality careers education. We want all pupils to leave our schools prepared for adult life and future success.

Inclusion and SEND

Our approach to SEND is central to our mission. We build school cultures around our most vulnerable children, ensuring all pupils access a broad and balanced curriculum and are supported to thrive.

Safeguarding and wellbeing

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Strong systems, training and professional curiosity ensure children are safe, supported and known.

Strong systems and support

Effective governance, finance, HR, estates, communications, IT and operational systems remove burden from schools, allowing leaders and teachers to focus on what matters most: children and learning.

We want staff to enjoy their work, feel valued and feel proud to be part of our trust.

• Our culture is rooted in our shared values of kindness, integrity and diligence, and is reflected in how staff support one another, how pupils behave, and how schools are led day to day.

• All job roles have clear expectations. This is rooted in professional trust and fairness, and aligned with our values, ensuring staff always know what is expected of them.

• All our schools operate with clear, consistent routines and behaviour systems. Everyone is fully supported by leadership, enabling calm, focused learning environments and reduced workload.

• Staff work within positive, supportive teams, where staff collaborate and look out for one another. Supportive teams are one of the most frequently cited strengths in staff feedback.

• Our staff are part of a welcoming and values driven community, where people feel a strong sense of purpose and describe their schools as places where staff genuinely care about each other and the children they serve.

We place trust in our staff and ensure progression is fair and transparent.

• All staff have access to clear progression routes, with opportunities to move roles or gain promotion across our trust. One in six staff have been promoted internally or moved into a new role in the past two years.

• Leadership development programmes are available for teaching and associate staff, supporting staff at every stage of their career.

• All staff benefit from a coaching based support model, focused on growth and development rather than accountability.

• There is no appraisal process, and staff progress automatically through each pay point, including through threshold.

• Apprenticeship and funded training opportunities are available, supporting upskilling, retraining and career change.

We invest significantly in high quality professional learning for all staff.

• All staff benefit from significantly increased training time, with 50 percent more training days than most schools, alongside trust wide conferences and development opportunities.

• All staff have access to coaching, professional networks and cross-trust collaboration, supporting continuous development.

• Trust-wide training programmes are in place for teaching and associate staff, including opportunities for job shadowing and secondments.

• Early career teachers receive an enhanced induction programme, providing structured support beyond statutory requirements.

We are committed to reducing unnecessary workload and enabling staff to focus on what matters most.

• We operate an internal, secure AI system, designed to support administrative tasks and reduce workload.

• Enhanced HR policies promote flexibility, wellbeing and long-term career sustainability, supporting staff throughout their careers.

• We recognise the pressures of assessment periods, so training days are scheduled around these windows (typically two per cycle), with all the time given over to staff so they have dedicated time to plan, catch up and manage their workloads.

• Priority admissions are available for children of staff, where applicable.

We are committed to supporting staff wellbeing and making every day working life healthier and more sustainable.

• All staff have access to mental health services and wider wellbeing support, promoting a proactive approach to wellbeing.

• A cycle to work scheme is available, supporting healthier and more sustainable travel.

• A staff discount programme is available, including reduced gym memberships.

• Free eye tests and access to discounted glasses are provided, supporting everyday health needs.

We believe the working environment matters.

• Schools across Mercia Learning Trust are high-quality, well-maintained workplaces, creating positive and professional environments.

Work at Mercia Learning Trust

Select a school below to learn more or view jobs

King Ecgbert School

Sheffield, S17 3QU

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Mercia School

Sheffield, S7 2DY

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Nether Edge Primary School

Sheffield, S7 1RB

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Newfield Secondary School

Sheffield, S8 9JP

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Totley Primary School

Sheffield, S17 4FB

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Woodlands Primary School

Sheffield, S14 1SL

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Anns Grove Primary School

Sheffield, S2 3DJ

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