Director of Strategy and Impact (Accelerator Programme)

Director of Strategy and Impact (Accelerator Programme) - The Harpur Trust

Location: Bedford (one day per week) with flexible/ hybrid options

The Harpur Trust is a Bedford-based charity committed to investing in people’s futures, set up through Sir William Harpur’s founding gift in 1566. Since then, the Trust has continued to inspire and empower future generations and improve the lives of everyone in the town, providing over £1million a year in charitable grants for projects that focus on education, recreation and relief. As well as running four independent schools and sponsoring HEART Academies Trust, the Trust provides school bursaries, accommodation for the elderly, and a Social Investment Group. The Accelerator Programme is a critical part of the work of The Harpur Trust, aiming to enable more children aged 0-11 in low-income families make more rapid progress in education. It is an innovative and collaborative programme, building partnerships with 20 local primary schools and a range of local funders, businesses and public bodies.

We are very proud of the work of the Accelerator Programme, but there is more to be done. This is where this new Director of Strategy and Impact (Accelerator Programme) role comes in, to strengthen and build the network whilst mobilising the whole community in Bedford behind the cause. In this role, you will support the primary schools in their drive for improvement and raising standards, maximising achievement of pupils and improving the quality of education. We want to ensure that we meet and exceed the needs and expectations of all our partner schools in the town.

Working closely with the CEO, the new Director will ensure that the primary support offer is well targeted, of the highest quality, and designed collaboratively to meet the unique challenges faced by schools in Bedford. You will galvanise and lead the Accelerator Programme team, developing the strategy and priorities for the programme and ensuring that our schools have the very best support to create the very best provision.

To be successful, you will need a deep understanding of what makes an excellent primary school and a track record of measurable impact supporting schools. You need to enjoy bringing leaders together and have a well-honed talent for inspiring school teams to give their absolute best. Though you are likely to have been a successful primary school leader, what is most important is that you are inspirational, dynamic, and successful, with the highest of expectations and a clear focus to improve outcomes for all.

If this sounds like you, please get in touch to discuss the role in more detail. For an informal and confidential conversation, please contact Propelo on 01273 222877 or email harpurtrust@propelo.co.uk. For more information, visit: https://harpurtrust.our-careers.co.uk.

Close date for applications: Thursday 30th January 2025, 9am

Interviews: Wednesday 12th February and Friday 14th February

The Harpur Trust is committed to safeguarding children; successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet safeguarding duties, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).