Chief Financial Officer

Ridgeway Education Trust, Didcot, OX11 7AJ

33 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  20 April 2026 at 10am

• Date listed

  18 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £80,000.00 - £90,000.00 Annually (FTE)

Chief Financial Officer job summary

Ridgeway Education Trust - Chief Financial Officer

Ridgeway Education Trust is at an exciting time in its development. We are currently a Trust of eight schools, all based in or around Didcot. A mixture of Church of England and non-faith schools, two secondaries and six primary schools, we embrace our diversity whilst recognising the strength of our close geographical proximity. Our objective is to continue growing the Trust over the coming years and we have an ambitious vision for the future.

Our mission is to create excellence through high quality education for three-to nineteen-year-olds with powerful collaboration at its heart. We believe that school improvement is most successful when underpinned by deep collaboration at all levels so that best practice is shared. High levels of professional trust sustain a healthy balance of support and challenge which in turn drive a culture of creativity and innovation. We value our people and take seriously our responsibility to support their wellbeing. To find out more about us please refer to our website, the RET Charter and the RET Staff Charter.

Our values of ambition, integrity and leading for legacy are at the heart of Ridgeway Education Trust. They provide the compass that guides our decision making and ensure that children and young people are at the centre of this process.

Further information about our Trust can be found on our website: https://www.ridgewayeducationtrust.co.uk/

Chief Financial Officer

This is a career-defining opportunity for a finance professional, with vision and a strong track record, to join Ridgeway Education Trust as its Chief Financial Officer. You will be part of a strong Trust Executive Team which is dedicated to high quality education for 3-19 year olds with powerful collaboration at the heart of everything we do. We are an outward facing and thriving Trust about to embark on a period of growth with local primary schools. We are looking to appoint someone who is excited by this opportunity and ready to play a central role in this process.

The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with the ability to operate at board level. They will be a strategic thinker able to navigate the increasingly complex and volatile world of academy finances with resilience, a calm, measured approach and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

The post is permanent, full time, 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Competitive salary available (circa £80,000 - £90,000pa) depending on qualifications, skills and experience, and with flexibility around home working and compressed hours. The start date for the post is flexible but as soon as possible.

Applications

Completed applications should be submitted via mynewterm by 9am on Monday 20th April.

Interested applicants are welcome to arrange a conversation about the post with RET CEO, Georgina Littler, by contacting Fionna Blessing at fblessing@ridgewayeducation.com

Interviews will take place on Friday 1st May 2026.

Please note that we reserve the right to shortlist and interview on receipt of applications so early applications are encouraged.

Ridgeway Education Trust is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff working in all its schools to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to satisfactory enhanced DBS, references and pre-employment safeguarding checks.  The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining a post. All cases are considered confidentially and according to the nature of the role and information disclosed.  

To view our Safeguarding policy, please visit our website: Safeguarding - Ridgeway Education Trust

Please be aware that you will be required to bring proof of right to work in the UK and photographic ID, as applicable, to interview and online searches may be made for shortlisted candidates, as part of due diligence checks.

Ridgeway Education Trust is an equal opportunities employer.

The RET Charter describes our vision for Ridgeway Education Trust and the priority we give to the development of our staff team is illustrated in the RET Staff Charter. Our staff tell us that the Trust is a supportive and motivational place to work, with real attention paid to staff wellbeing, workload and professional development. Further information about our Trust can be found on our website: https://www.ridgewayeducationtrust.co.uk

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

Ridgeway Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

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 Ridgeway Education Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Ridgeway Education Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/ridgeway-education-trust

Ridgeway Education Trust (RET) is a multi-academy trust which comprises Didcot Girls’ School, St Birinus Boys’ School and Sutton Courtenay Church of England Primary School. The two secondary schools also include Didcot Sixth Form, a mixed sixth form of some 400 boys and girls.

Head office location

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