Stuart Shelton Appointed As New Principal and CEO of The Princethorpe Foundation

Currently Headteacher of St Peter’s Catholic School in Solihull, a role he has held for the past four years, Stuart has led the school to an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgement and through a major collaborative expansion project. In addition, he has a wealth of senior leadership experience gained in both the state and independent school sectors. He had previously been Deputy Headteacher of The Priory School in Birmingham, Head of Secondary at The Doha British School in Qatar and Executive Headteacher of Four Dwellings Primary and Secondary Academies in Birmingham.

Married with four children, a keen sportsman and a committed Catholic, Stuart originally trained as an engineer with Jaguar Land Rover before becoming a PE teacher. He has a MA in Educational Leadership and is currently participating in the Archdiocese of Birmingham’s first Catholic Leadership Programme.

Commenting on the appointment, John Fisher, Chair of Trustees explains, "The trustees were impressed with not only Stuart’s excellent personal qualities and his educational leadership credentials, but also the considerable business and commercial acumen he brings to the role. His ambition and vision for the Foundation is clear, and we are confident that he will be a worthy successor to Ed Hester. With the support of our three outstanding Heads and the Foundation Directors, Stuart will uphold our ethos and values and lead the Foundation forward strongly into its next chapter."

Stuart Shelton adds, "I am tremendously excited and honoured to take on the CEO and Principal role, entrusted with guiding the future direction of the Foundation. The aspirational aims and inclusive ethos of The Princethorpe Foundation resonate strongly with my own vision for education and the nurturing of young people. I am really looking forward to getting to know the wider communities at Princethorpe College, Crackley Hall and Crescent School."

Ed Hester commented "I am very grateful to the trustees for involving me in the process to select my successor. Stuart is a superb appointment and I am really looking forward to working closely with him over the next year, to ensure a smooth handover in the run up to him taking over the reins."