Director of Secondary Education

Red Kite Learning Trust, Harrogate, HG2 9PH

47 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January 2027

• Closing date

  1 September 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  14 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: £110,000.00 - £122,000.00 Annually (Actual)

Director of Secondary Education job summary

Permanent, Full Time, Full Year. Operational (Support Staff) NJC Terms with generous annual leave allowance.

Based in our Central Trust Office, Harrogate, with travel to RKLT schools as required. Hybrid working available.

We are looking for an outstanding and driven leader to join our Trust as Director of Secondary Education. In this pivotal role, you will work closely with the CEO, senior leaders, and Headteachers to deliver our shared vision and commitment to social justice.

You will provide inspirational, strategic leadership supported by a deep knowledge and passion for excellence in all aspects of educational provision. Through strong collaboration, you will build effective networks that harness collective expertise, support school improvement, and foster a culture where staff and students thrive.

With a relentless focus on progress and high standards, you will champion our values and play a key role in securing the best outcomes for all young people across the Trust.

About You

You will be someone with the ability to:

• Lead strategically to drive high-quality provision and improved outcomes across all secondary schools
• Build strong, collaborative relationships that support and challenge school leaders effectively
• Develop and align curriculum and teaching practice to ensure consistency and excellence across our Trust
• Use data, insight, and professional expertise to identify priorities and secure sustained school improvement

About us

Our Multi Academy Trust brings together 16 diverse schools, united by a shared commitment to delivering excellence and enriching children’s lives. Our values of collaboration, integrity and respect are at the heart of all we do. Here’s what you can expect if you join us.

• A meaningful leadership role where you can shape the direction of secondary education across our Trust
• Strong collaboration with experienced senior leaders and Headteachers, working as part of a supportive and forward-thinking team
• Opportunities to grow your strategic leadership skills and influence at Trust-wide level
• The chance to make a real difference to the lives, outcomes, and future opportunities of young people
• A values-driven environment committed to inclusion, equity, and social justice, where every child matters

Next Steps

Let's Connect: If you would like to find out more about the role or discuss the opportunity before applying, we would be pleased to arrange an informal and confidential conversation with our CEO. These conversations are entirely optional and are intended to help prospective applicants gain a better understanding of the role, our Trust and the opportunity. They do not form part of the recruitment or selection process and will not influence the outcome of the shortlisting process. Please contact recruitment@rklt.co.uk to arrange a convenient time to speak (dates available from w/c 3rd August).

Interviews: Scheduled for Friday 11th September 2026.

Adjustments: Should you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please include these within Part Two of our application form under the section ‘Disability and Accessibility’.

Applicant Guidance: Red Kite Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure. We are an equal opportunities employer which welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. We are committed to promoting diversity and want a workforce which reflects the local population of each of our schools. Our recruitment guidelines and privacy notice for applicants can be found here.

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 Red Kite Learning Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Red Kite Learning Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/red-kite-learning-trust

Red Kite Learning Trust is a Multi-academy trust made up of 16 schools in North and West Yorkshire, serving more than 10,000 children and young people and their families, from nursery to sixth form.

We’re passionate about learning, providing a rich curriculum which releases potential and creates opportunity for all our pupils.

Head office location

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