3 December 2025

John Grove, CEO of the Quality First Education (Q1E) Trust, has announced that he will be retiring from the role of CEO at the end of the Summer Term. He has served Belleville Primary School and the Q1E Trust for 25 years as Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and CEO.

John is an outstanding leader with over 20 years of successful headship experience and a track record of improving schools. As Headteacher of Belleville from 2000 to 2016, he led the school from “in danger of failing” to outstanding. Belleville gained national recognition for excellence in many areas and grew to be highly regarded for its support to other schools in the local area. Under John’s leadership Belleville was designated as a National Support School, a National Teaching School, an Academy Sponsor and a Maths Hub. John is a National Leader of Education and a Fellow of the National College for Teaching and Leadership.

In 2017, John became CEO of the Q1E Trust and Belleville was joined by Belleville Wix Academy, The Alton and Churchfields Primary School later that year, and by Thomas’s Academy in September 2025.

As Ofsted wrote about John, following one of their visits to Belleville: “You provide inspirational leadership to your staff and are very highly regarded by your colleagues. A strong vision is evident and a positive ethos permeates the school. There is an uncompromising drive for continuous improvement. Your work with partner schools in the network of local headteachers is very well received.”

We echo these words, and we could not put it better ourselves. John will be leaving with our deep gratitude, respect and very best wishes for the future.

The process to find a successor has already commenced, with a planned recruitment timetable allowing for an early appointment and a handover period, to ensure a smooth transition.