The Director of Education is a critical senior position in the Trust. While respecting and encouraging the Headteacher's Educational leadership, the DoE will help them shape their school's vision and strategy, challenge school self-evaluation, mandate intervention strategies where outcomes stall and call on the Trust's system‑leadership resources to ensure no school is left behind. You will report into the Executive Secondary Director of Education and work within the Kemnal Education team. The Director of Education is ultimately accountable for the educational outcomes and safeguarding integrity of every child within their region. Strategic School Improvement and Quality Assurance: Provide rigorous, evidence‑based challenge and assurance by triangulating data with on‑the‑ground intelligence, leading rapid recovery where performance dips, approving and sequencing School Improvement Plans, and ensuring schools are Ofsted‑ready and compliant. Accountability and Performance Standards: Hold Headteachers to account for educational outcomes, inclusive provision, leadership standards and financial stewardship, ensuring Trust targets are met and resources are used responsibly to support every pupil's success. Trust Integration and System Development: Strengthen Trust‑wide coherence by enabling horizontal improvement, leading phase‑specific system projects, spreading best practice and representing schools in Trust decision‑making while protecting capacity and local context. Proactive Risk and Transparent Reporting: Identify early indicators of risk using cultural and workforce intelligence and provide clear, timely reporting to the Executive Team and Board so performance and compliance issues surface early with no surprises. Leadership Coaching and Support: Develop and coach school leadership teams through high‑support, high‑challenge relationships, nurturing leadership potential, supporting stakeholder engagement and building sustainable leadership capacity across the Trust. Kemnal is committed to ensuring that no secondary school and no young person is left behind because of geography, circumstance or inconsistency. The Director of Education plays a critical role in making that commitment real, by holding high standards, intervening early, developing leaders and using the full strength of the Trust to improve outcomes where they matter most. If you are a senior educational leader who is motivated by impact rather than status, who can balance challenge with trust, and who wants to shape improvement at scale while staying close to the reality of schools, we'd love for you to apply.
Qualifications
* Qualified teacher status and substantial senior leadership experience.
* Proven track record of leading sustained school improvement, including in challenging contexts.
* Experience of holding headteachers to account for outcomes and safeguarding.
* Strong understanding of inspection, accountability and regulatory frameworks.
* Credibility to coach, challenge and support senior school leaders.
* Commitment to inclusive education and reducing disadvantage.
Desirable Qualifications
* Experience working across more than one school or within a trust or regional structure.
* Evidence of developing leadership capacity and succession.
* Experience of working with diverse communities and stakeholders.
Benefits
* Generous Pension Scheme: Secure your future with substantial employer contributions toward your long‑term financial well‑being.
* A wellbeing app that supports exercise, mindfulness, and everyday healthy practices.
* Retail and Lifestyle Discount Scheme offering savings both online and in store, supporting everyday living costs, and beyond.
* Cycle To Work Scheme, supporting affordable access to bikes and promoting active, sustainable travel.
* Family Friendly Leave Policies, helping colleagues balance professional commitments with caring responsibilities at different life stages.
* Eight‑Week Mindfulness Programme, expert‑led mindfulness course to support and develop mental resilience.
* Counselling Support, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for colleagues and their eligible immediate family members.
* Tailored continued professional development, to support your in‑role and/or career progression ambitions.
Flexible Working
We recognise the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. We promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work‑life balance.
Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging
At Kemnal, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.
Access to Interview
Be Who You Are at Kemnal – should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.
Disability Confidence
We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to any applicant who declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job. For more details, please visit our website.
Safeguarding and Recruitment Process
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
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