Chief Executive Officer

Ridgeway Education Trust (RET) is based in south Oxfordshire and currently comprises eight secondary and primary schools and a SCITT, serving over 4,400 pupils and their communities. Guided by our core values of integrity, ambition and leading for legacy, we are committed to delivering excellence through high quality education with powerful collaboration at its heart. 

The shared motivation of the RET team of governors, leaders, teachers and support staff is tangible. We believe that education has the potential to transform lives. Social justice matters to us and we are determined that all of our children and young people, especially our most disadvantaged, thrive. Walking through any RET school, you will experience the joy of a welcoming, vibrant and inclusive learning community. We believe that school improvement is most successful when underpinned by deep collaboration at all levels: we are always stronger together. Teaching and learning, school improvement and staff CPD are at the core of ensuring our pupils and staff have access to the best opportunities and development. We live our values of offering high levels of support and challenge through respectful and dignified relationships. Our commitment to staff wellbeing and ongoing professional development is shared in our RET Staff Charter. 

With a proven track record of school improvement, and having recently completed a period of significant growth, the Trust is in a strong position with great potential for the next CEO to develop. The RET Charter is a statement of our mission, values and culture. We believe that each school within the Trust should be both a capacity giver and taker to enable continuous school improvement. Whilst we believe that the identity of each school is precious, and the context of a school is fundamental to the right school improvement strategy, we also believe that good practice which has demonstrable impact should be shared and systematised across the Trust to the benefit of all young people. We use systems and structures to create clarity and consistency and as a platform for creative innovation with a healthy approach towards risk.

The board of trustees is seeking to appoint a dynamic, values-driven, and visionary CEO with a strong track record. The successful candidate will embody our vision, uphold our values and possess the skills and expertise to lead the Trust successfully in its next phase of development. 

We will provide you with:

• A family of schools united by our core values of integrity, ambition and leading for legacy
• Respectful, motivated, and happy pupils with a passion for learning
• A strong commitment to your ongoing professional development with access to an external leadership coach
• A supportive and dedicated board of trustees
• A highly skilled and expert central team
• A suite of trust offices based at Didcot Girls' School
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Flexible working opportunities and a genuine commitment to family and work / life balance
• Enrolment to the teacher or LGPS pension scheme, as appropriate

We thank you for your interest in this post and hope, that after reading the CEO Recruitment Pack, you will feel encouraged to apply for this exciting opportunity. Should candidates wish to visit the Trust prior to application or to arrange an informal conversation with Ruth Elliot, Chair of Trustees, they are warmly invited to do so by contacting Caroline Ball, RET Governance Lead, at cball@ridgewayeducation.com.

We are a flexible working employer, and willing to make any reasonable adjustments you require during your interview so please ask us.

Ridgeway Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Section 128 check. References will be sought for shortlisted candidates before interview.  Please also be aware that you will be subject to an online check for publicly available information and that you may be questioned about the findings of such a check at your interview.