Academies Director
Leigh Academies Trust, Rochester, ME2 2SX24 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
2 March 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
6 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Highly + Performance Bonus + Private Healthcare
What skills and experience we're looking for
Our mission is to ensure the best start in life possible for the young people in our academies and in doing so make the world a better place. We are now seeking an Academies Director to oversee a group of 8-12 geographically organised and cross-phase academies on behalf of the Trust to ensure strong educational outcomes for all pupils. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for the right candidate with a commitment to system-wide leadership.The successful candidate will currently be an outstanding Principal or Executive Principal in primary and/or secondary phases. They will have a strong track-record of success in their current role and ideally experience across a range of school settings. A good knowledge and/or desire to learn more about all phases of education from age 3 to 19 is highly desirable. Demonstrating a commitment to International Baccalaureate curriculum programmes for all years groups is essential, as well as our digital strategy and small school approach to education. Candidates should take a look at Vision 2030which can be found on our website to identify whether their own educational goals align with those of the Trust before starting any application. We are looking for someone who is firmly committed to the ambitions of LAT and believes in the transformative power of education.You will lead, challenge and support all Principals across your cluster working closely with the Chief Executive and other Trust executives to help our academies reach their full potential. You will report directly to the CEO, be part of the LAT central team and hold Trust-wide strategic responsibilities to be agreed with the successful candidate. You can be sure of very considerable opportunities for further development in this career-defining role as part of one of the UK’s largest and most successful multi-academy trusts.
Our ideal candidate will:
- Be an outstanding and inspirational leader (Principal, Executive Principal or MAT central team senior executive);
- Have a proven track record of success in raising pupil attainment;
- Be organised, energetic and passionate about working cross-Trust;
- Be committed to the LAT ethos of high expectations;
- Have the resolve to make a real difference to the lives of learners;
- Be a committed team player.
What the school offers its staff
In return, you will receive:
- A highly competitive salary which reflects your experience and expertise as a senior leader;
- Excellent opportunities to develop your leadership skills and your overall career within a long-established, geographically organised, successful and well-respected multi-academy trust with all academies based within easy range in the South East of England.
To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack, which outlines the full role responsibilities and person specification. This will guide you in preparing a strong application and understanding what we’re looking for.
Further information about the job
Naturally, we are seeking to appoint the best possible candidate and therefore the application process will reflect our desire to undertake all necessary measures to achieve this.
Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation with our CEO, Simon Beamish, about this role can arrange for a telephone or video call. Those wishing to do so should contact Emma Johnson (emma.johnson@latrust.org.uk) in the first instance.
Closing date: Monday 2nd March 2026 (9am)
Shortlisting date: Monday 2nd March (PM)
Interview date: Thursday 5th March and Friday 6th March 2026
If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information, please contact Charlotte Herberts (LAT Recruitment Team) on 01634 412 245 or charlotte.herberts@latrust.org.uk.
Commitment to safeguarding
Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Leigh Academies Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
- Email address
- joinus@latrust.org.uk
Leigh Academies Trust is one of the country’s largest and most-established multi-academy trusts operating across Kent, Medway and South East London. It contains primary, secondary and special academies and is highly inclusive and successful. Our mission is to deliver “education for a better world” by ensuring that young people in our academies have an excellent start in life regardless of their background or ability.
We are a non-profit making charitable company, based in Strood, Medway. The Trust exists to support and assist schools to build upon their existing strengths and to help them achieve rapid educational transformation. It has significant experience in running schools, and today includes both sponsored academies and schools which have chosen to convert to academy status.
The Trust was formed in 2008 with the linking of the Leigh Technology Academy and Longfield Academy under one governing body. Today, we encompass more than 20,000 students between the ages of 2 months and 19 in over 30 primary, secondary and special academies including one all-through academy and one grammar school.
In addition to providing high-quality educational opportunities for all of our children, aged from 2 months to 19 years, and their families, we are proud to provide many opportunities for lifelong learning. These are delivered through the organisations under our umbrella: Thames Gateway Teaching School Hub, LAT Apprenticeships and Kent and Medway Training (KMT), which delivers routes into teaching.
Benefits for LAT employees: We strive to offer a range of benefits that all employees can take advantage of which we regularly review and improve, based on what our staff want and need - click here to view what you’d receive as a member of staff with Leigh Academies Trust.
Arranging a visit to Leigh Academies Trust
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email joinus@latrust.org.uk.
Head office location
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