What skills and experience we're looking for
The Role
We are seeking an inspirational, strategic, and equity-focused leader to join our central leadership team. This is a pivotal, system-wide role that provides the intellectual and strategic direction for our educational strategy, the quality of teaching and learning, curriculum design, and most importantly, the development and oversight of our Inclusion strategy.
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Education and Inclusion will be responsible for driving outstanding educational standards and ensuring a deeply inclusive and supportive culture is woven into the fabric of the Trust's work.
Key Responsibilities: Leading for Impact
* Educational Strategy: Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Trust-wide education strategy to secure continuous improvement in student outcomes and academic performance across all 10 schools.
* Quality of Education: Oversee and monitor the quality of teaching, learning, assessment, and curriculum delivery, ensuring consistency and excellence.
* Inclusion Leadership: Design and embed an ambitious and effective Inclusion Strategy encompassing SEND, disadvantage (Pupil Premium), EAL, and behavior/alternative provision.
* Accountability: Provide robust challenge and support to Academy Principals and school leadership teams, holding them accountable for educational standards and inclusive practice.
* Professional Development: Champion and lead high-quality continuous professional development for all pupil-facing staff related to pedagogy and inclusive practice.
* Impact Reporting: Regularly report on educational performance, impact of inclusion strategies, and key performance indicators to the CEO and the Trust Board.
Our Successful Candidate
You will be an exceptional educational leader with a proven track record of driving significant and sustainable improvement across multiple schools or a large complex setting.
Essential Criteria
* Senior Leadership Experience: Extensive experience in a senior educational leadership role (e.g., Principal, Headteacher, Executive Head, or Director-level post within a Multi Academy Trust).
* Evidence of Impact: Demonstrable success in raising standards, improving academic outcomes, and fostering inclusive practices, particularly for vulnerable groups.
* Expert Knowledge: Deep knowledge of current UK education policy, curriculum development, effective pedagogy, and best practice in SEND and Inclusion.
* Strategic Vision: The ability to develop, articulate, and execute a clear, compelling educational vision.
* Interpersonal Skills: Outstanding communication and influencing skills to build strong professional relationships across the Trust's schools and the wider community.
What the school offers its staff
Why Join Exceed Learning Partnership?
* Make a real difference: Contribute to a dynamic and ambitious Trust that's truly making a difference in the lives of young people.
* Work with wonderful pupils, colleagues and communities who support the academy in all its aspirations.
* Professional Development: Grow, develop and benefit from a comprehensive professional learning offer with many opportunities, including leadership training, coaching and access to the latest pedagogical approaches.
* Collaborate and innovate: Work alongside talented and dedicated colleagues in a culture that values teamwork, creativity and promotes innovation.
* Feel valued and supported: Enjoy a welcoming and inclusive environment where your wellbeing and contributions are recognised.
* Shared Vision: Be part of a Trust united by a common commitment to excellence, where each academy maintains its own unique identity to deliver and serve its community.
* Supportive Leave Policies: We offer a range of enhanced leave entitlements, including maternity, paternity, adoption and other paid time off options under our comprehensive leave of absence policy.
* Competitive Salaries: All our salaries are aligned with national pay scales.
* Local Government or Teachers Pension Scheme: We offer a valuable public sector pension scheme following local government and teacher pay and conditions to help colleagues plan for their retirement.
* Opportunities for Innovation: Be part of a Trust that embraces new ideas and research-led teaching.
* Discount Schemes: Access to national and local discounts on shopping, travel and leisure through the Blue Light Card.
* Professional Development Networks: Our extensive networks are a cornerstone of our commitment to colleague development. These vibrant communities bring together colleagues with shared passions and professional interests to inform, consult, and learn from one another. From curriculum leadership (primary and secondary) and attendance to data, business operations, safeguarding (DSL/DDSL), ECT support, literacy, raising standards, community engagement, and health and wellbeing, our networks empower our people to thrive.
* Training & Development Opportunities: As a Trust we offer a wide range of high-quality training, CPD opportunities, including workshops, conferences, online courses, and mentoring programs.
* Mentoring and Coaching: Receive support from experienced educators to help develop skills and confidence.
* Annual Flu Vaccination: All employees have the opportunity to receive a free annual flu vaccination.
* Employee Workload and Wellbeing: The Trust is committed to the health and wellbeing of all employees. Every colleague is critical to the education of our young people. We know that to make the biggest impact on employee wellbeing we need to constantly consider how we reduce workload across all our academies.
* Great Benefits: From health and wellness to professional development, Exceed Learning Partnership offers a diverse range of benefits to meet your needs including our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
* Celebrate achievements: As a Trust, we recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of all our colleagues.
* Diverse & Inclusive Workplace: An environment that values equity and belonging for all employees.
* Be part of a community: Join a network of academies with a shared vision and a strong sense of community, offering opportunities for collaboration and mutual support.
* Work with a highly committed and supportive Board of Trustees and Governing Board. Work alongside an innovative and knowledgeable Trust Executive team to support you in your journey of academy improvement.
* Be part of a successful Multi Academy Trust that supports and nurtures talent, placing pupils at the heart of everything we do.
* At Exceed Learning Partnership, we have a strong culture of academy improvement, and professional development is at the heart of the Trust and all its academies. We offer the opportunity for you to gain additional qualifications and a range of professional development and learning opportunities. Our leaders have a wealth of knowledge and are highly experienced in improving outcomes for pupils.
Further details about the role
Key dates
* Closing date for applications: Thursday 27th November 2025
* Shortlisting date: Monday 1st December 2025
* Interview Process Day 1: Thursday 4th December 2025
* Interview Process Day 2: Successful candidates from Day 1 will be invited to day 2 on Tuesday 9th December 2025.
Informal Conversation
We encourage potential applicants to visit our Trust and our Academies prior to submitting an application. This will provide candidates with the opportunity to find out more about the role, our Trust and our values and ethos. To arrange an informal meeting or telephone conversation with Beryce Nixon OBE, our CEO please contact our Executive PA to the CEO – Enya Stewart by email to e.stewart@elp.org.uk
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
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