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Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Saffron Academy Trust

Essex

  • New
Salary:
from £135,000 per annum
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Start date:
September 2025
Apply by:
2 October 2024

Job overview

Due to the forthcoming retirement of our CEO, Saffron Academy Trust seeks a committed and passionate CEO to embrace our Vision, Values and Ethos and build on our strong foundations already in place. Our new CEO will provide inspirational, strategic and professional leadership which will ensure the continuing development and success of the Trust and its academies as places of transformational learning with a reputation for high standards across all aspects of its work.

Responsible for the improvement of educational standards, equality of access, achievement for all and effective use of resources across the academies, the CEO will seek to further develop and deliver the vision and the aims of the Trust to create a platform for high standards of learning for all.

We are a growing trust. We are currently a family of three secondary schools, one all-through school and five primary schools, serving more than 6500 students and employing 1000 staff, with a total income in excess of £45m. The CEO will shape the evolution of the Trust as it seeks to build on its initial successes in bringing schools together to address disadvantages and to achieve outstanding outcomes for all pupils. The CEO will explore local growth opportunities in both the primary and secondary sectors.

The successful candidate will possess:

  • A strong track record in successful leadership of a school or MAT including the delivery of an outstanding education for pupils whilst providing excellent development opportunities for staff.
  •  Strategic leadership credibility, with the ability to engage and lead an organisation in a way that is authentic, collaborative, and robust.
  • Demonstrable experience and understanding of financial management and operational systems to ensure sustainability at school and trust levels.
  • A proven ability to work with the Board of Trustees, Local Governing Bodies, Headteachers and others to continue to deliver the Trust’s vision whilst demonstrating commitment to our values.
  • A passion for education and the role our schools play in challenging and improving the opportunities and outcomes for our pupils.
  • The ability to network and engage at a local and national level for the benefit of the Trust.

The role provides a very real opportunity to lead the strategic direction of our Trust. The new CEO will be supported by a strong, committed Central Team, Board of Trustees and Members, whilst at school level we have a strong governance structure and highly skilled Headteachers.

Application forms should be completed electronically or sent as a scanned document to Mrs Jackie King (HR Manager) at: hr@saffron.academy Should you experience any technical problems, please do not hesitate to contact Jackie King via the above email address or at Saffron Walden County High School: 01799 513030.

If you would like to arrange an informal conversation with a Trustee and/or the outgoing CEO prior to application, or to arrange a visit to our Central Services offices or to one of our schools, please contact Mrs Jackie King (HR Manager) at hr@saffron.academy or on 01799 513030.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 2nd October 2024 @ 10am

Interviews: Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th October 2024

Please note that this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check. Saffron Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Attached documents

About Saffron Academy Trust

+44 1799 513030

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About the Trust

Saffron Academy Trust (SAT) was formed in 2011 when its founder school, Saffron Walden County High School, converted to academy status.

Since then SAT has grown and now comprises Saffron Walden County High School, Katherine Semar Junior and Infant schools and R A Butler Junior and Infant schools in Saffron Walden, Alec Hunter Academy and Beckers Green Primary School in Braintree, Honywood School in Coggeshall, and Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form Centre in Great Dunmow.

The Trust also encompasses The Saffron Teaching School Hub, one of the first Teaching School Hubs to be designated nationally. Through the Hub and an extensive range of collaborative partnerships, the Trust provides support to a number of other primary and secondary schools.  One key aspect of the support we provide is to deliver high quality CPD focused both on classroom practice and leadership development.

Further information can be found on the Trust’s website at www.saffron.academy.

SAT BELIEVES:

1. That every child deserves to go to a great school

2. That we are preparing young people for life in a 21st Century world

3. That learning in our schools must inspire and lead to achievement and progress for every child

4. That learning opportunities must be broad and of the highest quality

5. That we should respect the unique character and context of the schools in our partnership, while maintaining high expectations of performance

6. That we are all learners and that we embrace evidence-based research and value teamwork

The Aims of the Trust

The educational aims of SAT are to support and promote;

· Educational provision which enables pupils and young people, aged 3-19, of all abilities to fulfil their academic potential and achieve their personal best.

· A curriculum across all key stages which promotes excellence in the arts and sciences.

· Teaching and learning which is highly engaging and geared to students making excellent progress through the key stages.

· Transition between key stages (especially key stage 2 to key stage 3) which delivers outstanding continuity of learning.

· A focus on developing all professionals to deliver the highest quality of teaching to all our learners.

· Schooling which is outward looking and allows students to interact with ideas and people from around the world.

· Educational research into factors underpinning successful schools and highly

effective learning.

· Involvement with the local area in a way which promotes community cohesion and cultural excellence, especially with regard to music and the arts.

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