Director of Secondary School Improvement

Castleford Academy Trust is a cross phase Multi Academy Trust comprising currently of five schools: two secondary academies, one primary academy, one junior academy and one infant academy. The Trust is a medium sized family of schools all located within a geographic cluster within Wakefield.

Castleford Academy Trust is committed to “working together to achieve excellence for all”. Within Castleford Academy Trust, in our pursuit of excellence, we work hard to ensure that no child is left behind. Castleford Academy Trust is an exceptional place to work and has a team of dedicated and committed staff. We strongly believe in developing and nurturing talent by providing opportunities for staff training and development.

Director of Secondary School Improvement (with Trust wide responsibility for disadvantaged pupils).

Start date: April 2025

(subject to notice period & completed pre-employment checks)

Full time – permanent

Salary – L36-40

This year, Castleford Academy Trust will be going through a significant period of growth, as we welcome the academies within Northern Ambition Academies Trust to our Trust. We are preparing for this growth by increasing our Trust Executive Team. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled, motivated and experienced school leader and improvement professional to join the Executive Team.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Secondary Education and secondary Headteachers to implement the Trust school improvement strategies. You will have significant experience of school improvement within a secondary setting or across various secondary schools, have been a Headteacher or senior leader within a secondary school and have a track record with significant impact on the quality of teaching and learning and pupil outcomes.

Your application will need to demonstrate that you have:

·      Experience of delivering inspirational leadership that enables leaders to develop high quality secondary education.

·      Experience of promoting the highest possible standards of care, aspiration and success to support families and children to overcome any social disadvantage.

·      Experience of securing long term success within secondary settings by building and developing leaders.

·      An excellent understanding of the schools’ sector and education more broadly, with a strong grasp of contemporary educational issues including the inspection agenda and up to date knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy research.

·      Strong track record of performance, managing staff, driving morale, raising standards and promoting a team ethos, ideally with regard to a multi-site organisation.

·      Understanding the factors which create barriers to learning and the ability to implement appropriate strategies that address this, including strategies to support disadvantaged pupils, whilst reducing inequalities and promoting social inclusion.

·      Knowledge of key strategies for raising pupils’ achievement and advancing effective teaching and learning, set within the communities served by Castleford Academy Trust.

·      Ability to create and maintain an environment which promotes good behaviour, discipline and a culture of celebrating success.

·      A strong commitment to personal development for all staff including yourself.

You will also need to be:

·      Supportive of the Trust’s ethos and values at all times both within the secondary academies and the wider community.

·      Committed to inspiring leaders, staff and pupils in the development of initiatives and strategies which promotes whole school improvement.

·      An excellent communicator who is at ease with all stakeholders.

We can offer you:

·      A significant role in the Academy Trust.

·      Excellent professional development opportunities.

·      Nationally recognised qualifications.

·      Opportunities to work as a leader within the Trust and beyond.

·      Enthusiastic colleagues and supportive leaders, governors and trustees who drive improvements across the Trust alongside you.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 11th December 2024, midday, with interviews taking place the following week.

As part of our team at Castleford Academy Trust, you will have access to a comprehensive package of wellbeing support designed exclusively for schools, providing access to a team of in-house wellbeing experts, counsellors, nurses and physiotherapists.

Castleford Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. For all positions at Castleford Academy Trust, you are required to complete a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced check prior to appointment.

Application forms can be downloaded from our website. Completed applications should be addressed to the CEO, Mr George Panayiotou at the Castleford Academy Trust address or via email to trustrecruitment@castlefordacademytrust.com

For further information on the Trust, the role and how to apply please visit www.castlefordacademytrust.com or email Miss Rebecca Fairs, PA to the

Directors of Education at rfairs@castlefordacademytrust.com