Executive Leader

The University of Winchester Academy Trust (UWinAT) is offering an exciting opportunity for an exceptional, leader to develop our growing Trust based in South Hampshire. We are looking for an experienced and strategic leader whose priority is to ensure all pupils receive an exceptional education and that our staff are supported to deliver outstanding outcomes. You will have experience of working and leading improvement beyond one school.

Our Trust currently consists of five primary schools, a preschool and a training school. A further two new pre-schools are planned and we have reached the due diligence stage of attracting two other schools. Two of our schools opened in September 2020 and are now growing steadily, with current numbers on roll across the Trust of just over 1000.  Based around Romsey, Winchester and Eastleigh our schools work closely together supported by a central team based in Halterworth.

All five schools were Ofsted inspected in 2023 as being Good or Outstanding.

Our close relationship with the University of Winchester provides exceptional opportunities for CPD, research collaboration and access to wider professional opportunities. We share a common ethos with the University with values of Compassion, Individuals Matter and Spirituality. Our Board of Trustees have a wide range of skills, including several university employees who bring pedagogical expertise to support our team to deliver wonderful curriculum opportunities. We are one of only nine Trusts chosen by the Arts Council to be a Creativity Collaborative and are in receipt of a £360,000 award.

Naturally, sustainability is at the forefront of Trust development plans for not only our infrastructure but also our curriculum which includes Forest Schools in all our academies. One of our new schools is BREEAM Excellent and has won Civic Trust and RIBA awards.

The Trust is on a sound financial footing with a turnover of around £6m and is currently investing reserves in infrastructure. Sound financial management provides Trustees with confidence that strategic plans can be delivered despite uncertain times and that resource management supports curriculum needs.

We are seeking an inspirational and outward facing leader who can facilitate a clear growth strategy, build relationships with stakeholders and drive school improvement and staff development.  Whilst the successful candidate will be expected to have first rate business skills to manage a growing and ambitious Trust, what matters most is ensuring that our children benefit from the best possible opportunities, to exceed expectations and leave our schools with confidence to flourish on the next part of their journey into secondary school. The successful candidate will share the Trust’s ethos, values and ambition and be willing and able to lead it onto a period of growth. 

For more information, please see full candidate pack.

We warmly welcome informal, confidential conversations and questions. Please contact the Chair of the Trust, Tommy Geddes, trustchair@uwinat.co.uk

Safer Recruitment

The University of Winchester Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) along with other relevant employment checks, including Children’s Barred List.

Online Search

Prior to interview, an online search will be carried out on information that is publicly available as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.