Director of Education

About our Trust – Eastern Multi Academy Trust (EMAT)

Our Trust comprises of thirteen primary and one secondary academy school, located across North West Norfolk, North Suffolk and Cambridgeshire borders.

Our vision is to ensure that all of our children and young people are prepared to learn for life by equipping them with the skills, experiences, and a high-quality education, empowering and motivating them to achieve their full potential now and in the future.

This is underpinned by our aim to be the Educator and Employer of choice across all areas that we serve through our values of Empower, Motivate, Aspire and Transform. We work to make a real and lasting difference to the communities we serve – “transforming lives, transforming communities”.

About our Academies

Eastern Multi Academy Trust educates c4700 children across its fourteen academies within North West Norfolk, North Suffolk and Cambridgeshire boarders. Each of our academies are recognised individually – each have their own legacy and history focussed upon the educational needs, feelings and wishes of its children.

• King’s Lynn Academy is our secondary academy and is seeing significant growth in the number of children wanting to attend and we anticipate this growth to continue.
• Eastgate academy is also within the West Norfolk market town of King’s Lynn, having  joined the Trust at its inception it is one of only a few schools to go from Special Measures to Outstanding in one Ofsted cycle. Close by, North Wootton academy is a short drive away from the stunning North Norfolk coast.
• On the Cambridgeshire boarders Upwell and Emneth academies are situated just outside the market town of Wisbech, and Nelson and Southery academies are in the Downham Market area, a short drive from Cambridge and Ely..
• We currently have five academies located in Thetford: Raleigh Infant, Admirals Junior, Norwich Road, Queensway Infant and Diamond Junior. Admirals, Norwich Road and Diamond were re-brokered to EMAT in August 2017 with Queensway joining in December 2017 and Raleigh in July 2018.
• Glade and West Row academies are located in West Suffolk within easy reach of the A14 and Cambridge or Ipswich. West Row joined EMAT in December 2017 shortly followed by Glade in January 2018.

Our academies promote effective learning through inspirational teaching and challenging lessons, driving up academic standards and achievement rates well above national levels. Each offering mutual support to one another, to develop shared learning and understanding, collaborate to achieve better outcomes, recognise unique qualities and differences, be positive and aspirational, focus on the successes of individuals and develop a collaborative and inclusive culture.

About Our People

As a Trust, we currently employ over c660 staff across all of our sites and provides educational and operational support through our dedicated teams. The support services include Education, People & Culture, Finance, IT and Estates.

Our Executive and Leadership teams are led by our Chief Executive Officer, Paul Shanks.

In April 2021, Paul took up the role of Acting CEO where he continues to lead the strategic direction of Eastern Multi Academy Trust. In October 2021 Paul was made the permanent Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Multi-Academy Trust with immediate effect. In his role as CEO, Paul is the champion for all children within the Trust and works closely with all stakeholders to ensure that they receive the best possible educational experience.

Our Trust wide approach to Equality and Safeguarding

Eastern Multi Academy Trust (EMAT) is an equal opportunities employer and employs suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion / belief, sexual orientation or age. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment.

Any appointments will be subject to satisfactory medical checks, references and an enhanced DBS check including the Children's Barred List. EMAT is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, employee support services to welcome and support staff from different backgrounds. Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment and signal our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity and welcome part time or flexible working applicants.

If the position you are applying for gives privileged access to vulnerable groups you are required to disclosed all spent convictions and cautions under the rehabilitation of offenders act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 unless these are a ‘protected’ conviction / caution under the amendments made to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 (in 2013 and 2020) and, therefore, not subject to disclosure.