Executive Director of Education

The Howard Partnership Trust, Leatherhead, KT24 5JR

4 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January 2026 (flexible)

• Closing date

  28 September 2025 at 9pm

• Date listed

  4 September 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time, full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Competitive
• Additional allowances:

  Competitive

Executive Director of Education job summary

Bringing out the best

The Howard Partnership Trust (THPT) is one of the largest and most inclusive MATs in Surrey, with over 7000 pupils in four secondary, six primary academies and three special schools. Our 2030 strategy focuses on delivering ‘A Life-Changing Education’ and we are passionate about disrupting disadvantage and having the highest of standards whilst we meet a vast array of needs. THPT has already made great strides forward in improving some of the most disadvantaged Surrey schools, but we are not complacent and there is much more to do. This is where this new, exciting role comes in.

To accelerate improvement in our schools and to deepen our impact, we are now seeking to appoint an Executive Director of Education. You will work alongside our CEO and Partnership Leaders to enable the highest quality education for every child and to embed sustainable excellence across the trust. Personally, you will be responsible for driving forward progress in our schools, valuing the agency of our talented school leaders whilst supporting them to improve outcomes at pace. Demonstrably raising attainment and developing our curriculum offer to make it the very best for our students will be critical to your success in this role.

You’ll bring a driven, flexible, and strategic mindset, alongside a proven track record in executive leadership. Evidence of delivering impactful change and success in school improvement beyond one school will be essential, although there is no fixed blueprint for where you might currently be based. Cross-phase experience during your leadership career would be a real asset, as would experience of leading complex schools. You will bring strong influencing skills and a depth of expertise and credibility to the trust, and we will look to you to elevate our thinking around education. Our new Executive Director of Education will have the clarity of vision and personal presence to represent THPT externally, whenever it is of positive benefit to the trust and the sector.

If you have the track record and credibility to take on this critical role at a pivotal time for the trust, we would love to hear from you. In return, we can offer you the chance to be part of a forward-thinking and growing organisation, working together to build excellence across our family of inclusive schools. This is a genuine opportunity to work at the very heart of our trust and to play a lead role in driving improvements, making a tangible difference to the lives of children. THPT offers excellent support, flexibility and opportunities for its leaders.

To have an informal and confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact our recruitment partners Propelo on thpt@propelo.co.uk or 01273 222 877. To download a pack and for details of how to apply, please visit: thpt.our-careers.co.uk.

Close date for applications: Sunday 28th September 2025, 8pm

Interviews: Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th October 2025

All adults employed by the Trust have a responsibility for data protection and have a duty to observe and follow the principles of the GDPR Regulations.

The Howard Partnership Trust is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of gender, marital status, disability, race, age, or sexual orientation.

All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of this advertisement.

As well as verification of identity, we ask all successful candidates to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet safeguarding duties, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

SAFEGUARDING AND FURTHER INFORMATION

The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The Howard Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment

Due to the nature of this role, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. In making your application, it is essential you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up; any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.

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 The Howard Partnership Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-howard-partnership-trust

Head office location

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