Overview
Join Education Village Academy Trust and help to shape the strategic direction of a Trust that delivers outstanding education across mainstream and SEND settings, raising ambition, inclusion and excellence for learners of all backgrounds across Darlington.
About the organisation
We are proud of our Trust. Our schools serve a diverse community, delivering outstanding education from early years to post-16, including specialist SEND provision.
We believe in excellence, ambition, inclusivity, ethical leadership, and teamwork. When you join us, you’ll be part of a culture that values collaboration, supports staff development and ensures every child has the opportunity to succeed.
About the role
As CEO, you will provide strategic, civic and operational leadership across the Trust, delegating to the executive team while retaining overall accountability.
In this multifaceted role, you will balance the educational needs and aspirations of our pupils with running an organisation that is efficient, sustainable and fit for the future. With oversight of £32 million annual turnover and £26 million estates portfolio, which includes PFI, leased and owned properties, you will ensure that all resources are deployed effectively to enhance learning outcomes.
You will shape and drive our vision, values and strategic direction in partnership with the Board, while ensuring that the Trust achieves exceptional educational outcomes and sustainable financial results.
Your leadership will span six interlinked areas: strategic leadership, system and civic leadership, quality of education, operational and financial leadership, people leadership and accountability and governance. You will drive exceptional educational outcomes and Ofsted readiness, while ensuring the Trust remains financially secure, operationally efficient and compliant with all legal, safeguarding and regulatory requirements.
You will enable high-quality teaching, a broad and enriching curriculum and inclusive learning environments where every pupil feels valued, supported and able to thrive. You will build and sustain a culture of collaboration, trust and excellence, ensuring the Trust attracts, develops and retains exceptional staff.
Through visible, inspirational leadership, you will guide EVAT to achieve its ambitious strategic objectives, including digital transformation, SEND provision, sustainable growth, and the creation of resilient, future-ready schools.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking an exceptional leader who will embrace the Trust’s values and ethos, putting children and young people at the centre of every decision. You will be an inspiring, visible CEO, capable of providing strategic and operational leadership across a complex multi-academy trust.
You will have a proven track record of successful strategic leadership, ideally within an education or complex organisational context, with experience at board level and in working effectively with Trustees and key stakeholders.
Experience within the education sector is not essential; however, knowledge and understanding of the education landscape and its challenges are critical. This knowledge, combined with strong business acumen, will be necessary to enable you to evaluate how the Trust operates critically. With this, you will identify opportunities for improvement to ensure sustainable growth and efficiency.
You will be committed to inclusion and equity and will continue to embed high standards and a child-centred ethos across all schools.
Call to action
Please click 'Apply Now’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close: 9 a.m. Wednesday 21st January 2026
Company Profile information:
Company Profile - Peridot Partners
Company email - Eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk
Company phone - 07951 920768
Company Website - https://www.peridotpartners.co.uk/jobs/ceo-education-village-academy-trust/
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