CEO

Catch Up (the working name of the Caxton Trust) is a not-for-profit charity working to address literacy and numeracy difficulties that contribute to under-achievement in children aged 6-14. By training teaching assistants and teachers to deliver our research-backed interventions to struggling learners, we can double their rate of progress, radically improving the life chances of these pupils and young learners.

Responsible to the trustees of the charity, the CEO will have overall responsibility for the strategic direction of Catch Up and leadership of the team, including staff, trainers and other stakeholders. We are in the middle of a five-year action plan with ambitious targets for growth so your task will be to build on current successes and sustain that direction, while identifying new opportunities that could enhance our action plan.

You will need to have strong knowledge of the education sector and educational networks, and how to operate and influence within these, as well as the ability to inspire the whole team of staff, trainers and other stakeholders to deliver the vision for Catch Up to reach even more struggling learners.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Work with and support the Trustees to provide strategic leadership in line with the Catch Up® mission and core values, for all staff, trainers and key stakeholders.
• Lead on the production of the Strategic Plan, including annual strategic objectives and milestones, and budget.
• Lead on the delivery of the Strategic Plan.
• Have responsibility for the day to day running of Catch Up®, including overall leadership and management responsibility for all staff, Catch Up® Accredited Trainers (CUATs) and contractors.
• Identify and develop new strategic opportunities that will enhance the Strategic Plan.
• Act as an inspirational ambassador when representing Catch Up® to all key internal and external stakeholders.

Key Requirements

Essential:

• Experience working with struggling learners or children with special educational needs.
• Experience in a leadership role.
• Understanding of the wider educational context of and culture within schools in the UK.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, and ability to communicate with a range of audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work as a member of a team.
• Good administrative and organisational skills.
• Flexibility and ability to respond to new opportunities.

Desirable:

• Understanding of the Catch Up® vision, core values and system.
• Demonstrated sustained success in running a successful organisation or unit (e.g. school or charity).
• QTS (Qualified Teacher Status).

Candidates to send to robert.baker@catchup.org Chair of Trustees, both a CV and a letter of application, the latter addressing the candidate key requirements and outlining reasons why they are interested in the post.

Please note that we are planning on holding interviews on Thursday 30th March 2017, at our offices in Thetford.

Closing date: Sunday March 19th 2017