Director of School Improvement
Palladian Academy Trust, Bath, BA2 5RE18 days remaining to apply
Job start date
4 September 2026
Closing date
22 September 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
4 September 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership role
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £56,609.40 - £62,435.40
Director of School Improvement job summary
Director of School Improvement (0.6 FTE / 3 Days per Week)
Closing: Tuesday 22nd September
Interview: Monday 28th September
Salary: £94,349 to £104,059 (FTE), actual salary £56,609.40 to £62,435.40 per annum (0.6 FTE), depending on experience
Contract: Permanent, All Year Round
Location: Across Palladian Academy Trust schools, with travel throughout the Trust. Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.
Transform Education. Shape Futures. Inspire Excellence.
Palladian Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional educational leader to join our Executive Team as Director of School Improvement.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly credible and experienced education professional to lead school improvement across our family of schools, ensuring every child receives an excellent education and has the opportunity to thrive.
Reporting directly to the CEO, you will provide strategic leadership for educational standards across the Trust, working closely with Headteachers, School Improvement Leads, Trustees and senior leaders to secure outstanding outcomes for all pupils. You will combine support, challenge and accountability to drive sustained improvement, strengthen leadership capacity and ensure high-quality teaching, learning and curriculum provision across both primary and secondary phases.
We are particularly interested in hearing from serving or recently serving Ofsted Inspectors or His Majesty's Inspectors (HMI) who can bring current inspection expertise and national insight to our improvement journey.
About the Role
As Director of School Improvement, you will:
- Lead and implement the Trust's School Improvement Strategy.
- Drive improvement in attainment, progress, attendance, behaviour and personal development outcomes.
- Line manage and support Headteachers and School Improvement Leads.
- Lead a rigorous programme of quality assurance, school reviews and self-evaluation.
- Ensure schools are inspection-ready and equipped to respond effectively to external accountability measures.
- Analyse educational performance data and identify priorities for improvement.
- Develop leadership capacity through coaching, mentoring and professional development.
- Provide expert advice and assurance to the CEO, Executive Team and Board of Trustees.
- Work collaboratively across the Trust to share effective practice and reduce variation in outcomes.
- Champion inclusion, safeguarding and equitable opportunities for all learners.
About You
We are seeking a leader who:
- Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- Has significant successful experience as a Headteacher, Executive Headteacher or Trust leader.
- Has a strong track record of leading school improvement across multiple schools.
- Has secured sustained improvements in educational outcomes.
- Is highly skilled in evaluating school effectiveness and using evidence to drive improvement.
- Has extensive knowledge of curriculum, teaching, assessment and educational leadership.
- Demonstrates the credibility and confidence to support and challenge senior leaders.
- Is passionate about improving life chances for children and young people.
Highly Desirable
- Serving or recently serving Ofsted Inspector.
- Serving or recently serving His Majesty's Inspector (HMI).
- Experience of working at Trust-wide or executive leadership level.
- Experience across both primary and secondary phases.
- Understanding of church schools and the SIAMS framework.
Why Join us?
At Palladian Academy Trust, we are ambitious for our pupils, our staff and our communities. We believe that collaboration, professional trust and strong leadership are key drivers of improvement.
In return, we offer:
- The opportunity to shape educational standards across a growing Trust.
- A strategic leadership role with significant influence and impact.
- The chance to work alongside talented Headteachers and school leaders.
- Professional autonomy and support within a collaborative Executive Team.
- A commitment to leadership development and continuous improvement.
- Flexible working arrangements where operationally appropriate
Informal Conversations
We warmly encourage prospective applicants to arrange an informal conversation with our CEO prior to submitting an application.
To arrange a discussion, please refer to the vacancy on our recruitment website using the link provided, where you will find the relevant contact details.
Safeguarding Statement
Palladian Academy 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 successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and all safer recruitment requirements.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Palladian Academy Trust is committed to creating a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture where everyone can flourish. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Further information about the job
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 Palladian Academy Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
Palladian Academy Trust is a strong Trust based in Bath and Wiltshire that offers education from 4-19. We are proud that our schools serve different communities, some are church schools, some are non-denominational, but together we know we are better placed to ensure our pupils have the best educational experience.
The Trust was established in 2016 and is named after a local landmark, The Palladian Bridge in Prior Park, a symbol of connection and unity.
As a Trust, we know that each of our schools has its own distinctiveness and each one brings different strengths as an equal partner. While we recognise what each school has to offer individually, we also work together at the same time, to maximise the benefits of being part of a larger network and organisation. Being part of a Trust gives our colleagues access to high quality professional development opportunities, gives our pupils the chance to interact with others from different schools and provides challenge and support to Trust and school leaders through effective governance.
We are proud to work in partnership with our Local Authorities of BANES and Wiltshire, our two Dioceses of Bath and Wells and Salisbury as well as other local and regional partners.
Underpinning our vision for education are our values: respect, trust, courage, curiosity. We are a values-driven organisation, committed to our vision to provide excellent and equitable opportunities for all; in our classrooms and beyond!
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