Chief Executive Officer SEAX Trust
Thriftwood School, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8RW6 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 January 2026
Closing date
15 September 2025 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
19 August 2025
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Between £120,000 to £130,000
What skills and experience we're looking for
Level 7 qualification, eg Masters-level qualification in a related academicarea, with extensive experience in the relevant specialist areas of work, or awider range of areasOR Evidence of the equivalent level of knowledge gained through workexperience in complex organisations;
Please see the Person Specification for a full list of the additional skills and experience required, available at www.seaxtrust.com/vacancies
What the school offers its staff
A commitment to providing high-quality professional development opportunities;
Access to strong existing partnerships and networks;
Access to Teacher and Local Government Pension Schemes;
Generous holiday allowances;
Access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme which includes a same-day GP service, in-person physio appointments and counselling;
A strategic aim to ensure a fair work/life balance;
A highly supportive organisational culture;
A firm commitment to the strengths of equality and diversity;
Free annual flu jab and access to free eye tests;
Access to discounted shopping.
Flexible working opportunities
We understand that not everyone wants to work full-time and that life sometimes gets in the way of work commitments. That’s why, at SEAX Trust, we have introduced a number of ways to support individual needs.
We have a firm belief that working more flexibly is the way forward and one of the ways to attract and retain the very best staff. We offer the right to request a change in working patterns from the first day at work; all staff can make up to two requests each year.
We know employees have commitments to young children and elderly relatives and we don’t want this to get in the way of their careers. We like to offer as many staff as we can the option of working from home, as a regular part of the job, or as and when they need to. We also offer carers an extra week’s unpaid leave each year.
We regularly offer sabbaticals for staff development & training, job-shares and flexi-time.
We can’t promise that we’ll be able to meet your request, but we will if we can, and we want you to feel able to ask.
Please talk to us at interview about your concerns and we’ll see what we can do.
Further information about the job
Dear Candidate,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank you for your interest in this key leadership position. It is an exciting opportunity to join The SEAX Trust during a crucial phase of its strategic development and growth.
With a strong and respected voice across the education sector, the SEAX Trust is a proactiveorganisation, dedicated to discovering the most effective ways to support the differing andevolving needs of our pupils. Every endeavour at the Trust is anchored in our fundamentalresponsibility to do our absolute best for the pupils in our five Essex-based special schools;pupils whose formative years and future opportunities are placed in our hands.
We are seeking a dynamic and visionary leader with a strong understanding of education,finance and operations. They will work with a team of skilled and supportive staff and Trustees to manage the opportunities and risks of a growing MAT, whilst maintaining our reputation for excellence. The successful candidate will share and be committed to the vision that our Trust . . .
• puts no limits on what young people can achieve; creates opportunities and meets individual needs so that our young people can live rich and fulfilled lives
• values staff and commits to providing an environment which creates opportunities for professional growth and development
• has the courage and drive to challenge and champion change to enable equal opportunity and equity for all
• influences, respects, listens and acts, and in turn is known as a voice to listen to, act upon and respect
I trust this candidate pack provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the role and its potential to make a meaningful contribution to the field of SEND education. I welcome applications from experienced and transformational leaders who are eager to seize theopportunity to shape the future of a forward-thinking group of good and outstanding schools, whilst remaining committed to the Trust’s core purpose: providing excellent education andunwavering support for every one of our pupils.
Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss the role further.
A full application pack and application form are available on this website and also at www.seaxtrust.com/vacancies
Yours sincerely,
Sally Lockyer
Chair of Trustees
Commitment to safeguarding
The SEAX Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The Headteacher will be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of all children for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact, in accordance with the Trust’s Safeguarding
Policy. The successful candidate will be required to complete a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) application, medical checks and references.
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)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Thriftwood School
- School type
- Academy, ages 5 to 19
- School size
- 266 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 5 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Thriftwood School website
- Email address
- katestannard@seaxtrust.com
- Phone number
- 01245 963006
SEAX is a growing, special school multi-academy trust based in Essex. We currently comprise five schools, serving a range of pupils with either moderate learning, speech & language or SEMH difficulties.
SEAX is a truly great place to work, offering staff a total reward package, excellent CPD opportunities and outstanding support and guidance from highly experienced and dedicated practitioners.
If you would like the opportunity to progress your career with us, we would very much like to hear from you and you can contact us by emailing: jobs@seaxtrust.com
We look forward to meeting you soon.
Arranging a visit to Thriftwood School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email katestannard@seaxtrust.com.
School location
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