Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Danes Educational Trust, Chorleywood, WD3 6EW

27 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January 2027

• Closing date

  21 September 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  6 July 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership role
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £155,000.00 - £171,000.00 Annually (FTE) Competitive salary

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) job summary

Danes Educational Trust is seeking an inspirational and ambitious Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into its next phase of development. Our values place joy, optimism, and wellbeing at the heart of all we do. We are looking for a leader who will embody these commitments, ensuring every pupil flourishes and achieves their potential both within and beyond the classroom.

The successful candidate will be a respected educational leader with experience across both primary and secondary settings, with evidence of success at scale, and a track record of delivering transformational change. Demonstrating a deep understanding of the national educational landscape and the responsibilities of the Accounting Officer role, they will possess the expertise to drive improvement at pace, including turning around underperforming schools. They will excel at empowering high-performing teams within a strong accountability culture that balances ambition with inclusivity, respect, and kindness. They will have experience of managing multiple budgets across settings with different financial demographics.

Our next CEO will bring strong business acumen and strategic insight to pursue growth and innovation while safeguarding our reputation for excellence. Well networked and collaborative, they will forge effective partnerships locally and nationally. As an authentic, credible communicator, they will motivate people, build trust across a diverse stakeholder network, and model a commitment to continuous professional growth.

This unique opportunity offers the chance to lead an inclusive, values-driven Trust dedicated to improving outcomes for all pupils, including the most vulnerable. Supported by an experienced, dedicated team of trustees, governors, and senior leaders, the new CEO will consolidate, develop, and evolve Danes Educational Trust.

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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