Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Danes Educational Trust, Chorleywood, WD3 6EW

46 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  April 2026

• Closing date

  4 January 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  19 November 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Competitive salary
• Additional allowances:

  Competitive salary

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) job summary

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as advisor and partner to Danes Educational Trust on this appointment. Applicants should apply for this role through their website: www.saxbam.com/appointments using code RBXDA.

We are a multi-academy trust working to develop optimistic, resilient pupils and valued, empowered staff through local, national and global partnerships. Established in June 2016, the Trust now comprises 13 schools; a mix of primary, secondary and one UTC across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The aim of the Trust is to provide an exemplary education, through creating a community of excellent schools. We equip our pupils with the skills they need to become curious, creative and courageous and ensure our school environments are places where their talents are nurtured, and our pupils are happy. We are a family of schools and we make the difference together as one trust.

We are seeking an inspirational and ambitious Chief Executive Officer to lead Danes Educational Trust into the next stage of our development. Our next Chief Executive Officer will be a strategic leader who brings courage and clarity of vision to strengthen our reputation for educational excellence, ensuring every pupil, whatever their starting point, can thrive both within and beyond the classroom.

The successful applicant will be a leader who embodies our values, placing joy, optimism, and well-being at the heart of all activity, fostering a culture of safety, equality, and resilience. This requires an authentic, credible, and collaborative communicator who is skilled at motivating, developing, and taking colleagues with them. They will empower high performing teams within a strong accountability culture, balancing ambition with inclusivity, respect, and kindness. They will be a respected educational leader with proven success at scale.

The role demands business acumen and strategic insight, with a track record of delivering transformational change and the courage and expertise to lead rapid improvement in challenging contexts. Critically, they must demonstrate a deep understanding of the national operating environment, the educational accountability framework, and the responsibilities of the Accounting Officer role.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a values-driven trust with a relentless commitment to improving outcomes for all pupils.

We are committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.

If you feel you have the skills, expertise and leadership qualities to lead us on the next stage of our development, then we would like to hear from you. More information on the role including the job and person specification can be found at https://www.saxbam.com/appointment/danes-educational-trust/, or by contacting Saxton Bampfylde using code RBXDA.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Danes Educational Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Danes Educational Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/danes-educational-trust

Danes Educational Trust is a multi-academy trust working to develop optimistic, resilient learners and valued, empowered staff through local, national and global partnerships.

It was established as a multi-academy trust in June 2016, when St Clement Danes School, an outstanding school in Chorleywood, was asked to open a second school in South West Hertfordshire – Croxley Danes School. The Trust now comprises of six schools St Clement Danes, Croxley Danes, Chancellor’s School, Onslow St Audrey’s School, De Havilland Primary School and Elstree Screen Arts Academy.

Danes Educational Trust is led by Dr Josephine Valentine OBE and is based at St Clement Danes School.

Please visit the rest of our website to learn more about our vision, our schools and the opportunities which exist to work within our trust.

Head office location

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