Director of School Improvement

Director of School Improvement (0.6 FTE / 3 Days per Week)

Closing: Tuesday 22nd September

Interview: Monday 28th September

Salary: £94,349 to £104,059 (FTE), actual salary £56,609.40 to £62,435.40 per annum (0.6 FTE), depending on experience

Contract: Permanent, All Year Round

Location: Across Palladian Academy Trust schools, with travel throughout the Trust. Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Transform Education. Shape Futures. Inspire Excellence.

Palladian Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional educational leader to join our Executive Team as Director of School Improvement.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly credible and experienced education professional to lead school improvement across our family of schools, ensuring every child receives an excellent education and has the opportunity to thrive.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will provide strategic leadership for educational standards across the Trust, working closely with Headteachers, School Improvement Leads, Trustees and senior leaders to secure outstanding outcomes for all pupils. You will combine support, challenge and accountability to drive sustained improvement, strengthen leadership capacity and ensure high-quality teaching, learning and curriculum provision across both primary and secondary phases.

We are particularly interested in hearing from serving or recently serving Ofsted Inspectors or His Majesty's Inspectors (HMI) who can bring current inspection expertise and national insight to our improvement journey.

About the Role

As Director of School Improvement, you will:

• Lead and implement the Trust's School Improvement Strategy.
• Drive improvement in attainment, progress, attendance, behaviour and personal development outcomes.
• Line manage and support Headteachers and School Improvement Leads.
• Lead a rigorous programme of quality assurance, school reviews and self-evaluation.
• Ensure schools are inspection-ready and equipped to respond effectively to external accountability measures.
• Analyse educational performance data and identify priorities for improvement.
• Develop leadership capacity through coaching, mentoring and professional development.
• Provide expert advice and assurance to the CEO, Executive Team and Board of Trustees.
• Work collaboratively across the Trust to share effective practice and reduce variation in outcomes.
• Champion inclusion, safeguarding and equitable opportunities for all learners.

About You

We are seeking a leader who:

• Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Has significant successful experience as a Headteacher, Executive Headteacher or Trust leader.
• Has a strong track record of leading school improvement across multiple schools.
• Has secured sustained improvements in educational outcomes.
• Is highly skilled in evaluating school effectiveness and using evidence to drive improvement.
• Has extensive knowledge of curriculum, teaching, assessment and educational leadership.
• Demonstrates the credibility and confidence to support and challenge senior leaders.
• Is passionate about improving life chances for children and young people.

Highly Desirable

• Serving or recently serving Ofsted Inspector.
• Serving or recently serving His Majesty's Inspector (HMI).
• Experience of working at Trust-wide or executive leadership level.
• Experience across both primary and secondary phases.
• Understanding of church schools and the SIAMS framework.

Why Join us?

At Palladian Academy Trust, we are ambitious for our pupils, our staff and our communities. We believe that collaboration, professional trust and strong leadership are key drivers of improvement.

In return, we offer:

• The opportunity to shape educational standards across a growing Trust.
• A strategic leadership role with significant influence and impact.
• The chance to work alongside talented Headteachers and school leaders.
• Professional autonomy and support within a collaborative Executive Team.
• A commitment to leadership development and continuous improvement.
• Flexible working arrangements where operationally appropriate

Informal Conversations

We warmly encourage prospective applicants to arrange an informal conversation with our CEO prior to submitting an application.

To arrange a discussion, please refer to the vacancy on our recruitment website using the link provided, where you will find the relevant contact details.

Safeguarding Statement

Palladian Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and all safer recruitment requirements.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Palladian Academy Trust is committed to creating a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture where everyone can flourish. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.