27 days remaining to apply

  • Closing date

    19 October 2026 at 9am

  • Date listed

    18 September 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

Competitive executive salary, determined in accordance with WeST’s Executive Pay Policy and relevant governance approvals

Chief Executive Officer job summary

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead our close and connected family of 31 schools across Devon, Plymouth and Cornwall. This is a significant opportunity to lead a substantial, values-led, cross-phase trust with strong foundations, a clear strategic direction and the scale to make a meaningful difference for children, young people and communities across the South West.

Working with the Trust Board, school leaders, executive colleagues, WeST Community Councils and wider communities, our next CEO will lead the delivery of WeST Strategy 2030 and shape the Trust’s next phase with confidence, integrity and ambition. The successful candidate will bring educational credibility, strategic judgement, strong governance relationships and the ability to lead a large and complex organisation in the public interest, while strengthening the local voice, civic responsibility and community connection that sit at the heart of WeST’s strategy.

We are looking for a visible and values-led leader who shares our commitment to collaboration, aspiration, integrity, compassion and respect. You will be ambitious for all children, confident in leading improvement and inclusion across phases, and able to balance local identity with the collective strength, assurance and support of a strong trust.

Applications should be submitted through MyNewTerm by Monday 19th October 2026 at 9.00am. Candidates are required to provide a supporting statement of no more than 6,000 characters in length, explaining how their experience, knowledge and skills meet the job description and person specification, and what their priorities would be as CEO of WeST.

We recognise that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the development of their application; however, Trustees are keen to hear your own authentic voice, judgement and motivation, and your personal statement should clearly reflect the human insight, experience and values you would bring to the role.

Assessment and interview activities will take place on Wednesday and Thursday 11th and 12th November 2026. For enquiries, including requests for an informal conversation with the Chair of the Trust Board or visits to the Trust, please contact Pippa Truman-Davies, Governance Lead and Clerk, via Recruitment-CEO@westst.org.uk

We would welcome the successful candidate taking up post as soon as this can reasonably be arranged, taking account of their current contractual notice period and any associated resignation arrangements.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. Candidates who require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process are encouraged to contact the dedicated inbox so that appropriate arrangements can be discussed.
The image quality in the recruitment pack has been intentionally manipulated to prevent the 'scraping' of our children's images and prevent them from misuse.

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.

View advert on external website (opens in new tab)

About Westcountry Schools Trust

Type
Multi-academy trust
See more jobs
teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/westcountry-schools-trust

Head office location

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