Trust Head of Improvement - Primary and Secondary

Trust Head of Improvement – Primary and Secondary

Start Date:  1 September 2019 (Earlier if available)

Closing Date: 9.00 am on Monday 25 March 2019

Interviews:  Tuesday 2 April 2019.

Salary: Leadership Spine: L18-30 (£60,755-£81,515 FTE) Negotiable upon appointment 

Contract:  Permanent  

SAST is a strong and ambitious Trust of both primary and secondary schools with a national Teaching School seeking to ensure an excellent and sustainable 0-19 education for children within our community across West and North Dorset as well as South Somerset.

 This is a new role and we are looking to appoint an inspirational leader with a proven track record of improving educational provision and outcomes to join the Trust. In September 2019 the Trust will consist of 3400 children and over 550 staff working in 10 primary schools and 3 secondary schools. Working in collaboration with the school Headteachers and Trust leaders you will provide exceptional improvement support across the Trust to raise standards even further and to deliver high quality education. 

Ideally we would like to recruit someone with both primary and secondary expertise but the post will be configurable in different ways including two separate posts for separate primary and secondary on a part-time basis.

The Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust includes schools across Dorset and South Somerset from Sherborne to Gillingham towards Blandford and Wincanton. Our area is one of the best areas to live in Britain offering something for everyone. Sherborne is a centre of excellence for education and has been described as ‘one of the most drop-dead-gorgeous towns in the country’ and having the feel of ‘a small cathedral city’. There are easy road and direct rail links to London, Bath, Bristol, Exeter and the glorious Dorset coast and countryside.

The successful candidate will:

• Promote and support the mission, values and approaches of the Trust

• Have a track record of school improvement across multiple schools perhaps in a MAT or through OFSTED or SIAMS Inspection

• Be committed to partnership, collaboration and excellent teamwork

• Have a passion for education and making a difference to children’s lives

• Have the ability to lead and shape the vision of the Trust acting as the Deputy CEO

• Be highly resilient, with relentless determination to succeed and drive change

• Have excellent communication skills 

• Use resources, intellect, creativity and innovation to be successful

Our values and ethos focuses on developing a love of learning, high achievement both personally and academically which comes from the tremendous work of all our staff and the great achievements of our children. This role will be challenging, yet immensely rewarding. You will be supported by an experienced Trust leadership team and school Headteachers, strong local governors and a committed staff group. We will also offer an excellent package:

• a competitive salary : L18-30 (£60.755- £81,515) Starting point to be agreed on appointment

• leadership development support 

• a unique Trust opportunity with extensive links to wider networks

• possible relocation expenses

• a strong MAT with a clear sense of shared moral purpose and a real opportunity to transform the lives of young people

You are warmly encouraged to get in touch prior to application to discuss the position and alternative options. Our CEO, Steve Hillier is also available to have an informal discussion with interested applicants about the role. Please contact his assistant Bella Byrne on 01935 811066 or at Bella.Byrne@sast.org.uk. You are also most welcome to visit the Trust or some of its schools.

For a recruitment pack and online application form, please visit the trust website: www.sast.org.uk

Closing Date: 9am Monday 25 March 2019

Proposed Date for interviews: Tuesday 2 April 2019 (alternative dates will be available)

SAST has an absolute commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check via the DBS. The Trust values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community