Head of Finance

Orchard Learning Alliance, Reading, RG5 4RF

14 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  30 January 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  16 January 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: £52,413.00 Monthly Grade 10 NJC Points 41 – 46 (currently £52,413 - £57,869 pay award due in April 2026)

Head of Finance job summary

🌟 Head of Finance - Orchard Learning Alliance

Salary: £52,413 - £57,869 (Grade 10, NJC Points 41-46 pay award due in April 2026)
Location: Trust-wide (Base: Waingels)
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Are you ready to lead a finance function with purpose, impact and real WOW factor?

Orchard Learning Alliance is growing fast and shaping a future where excellence, social justice and opportunity for all sit at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is clear: to promote excellence and social justice through exceptional schools, ensuring the highest possible quality of education and genuine equality of opportunity for every child in our community.

We’re now seeking an exceptional Head of Finance to lead our newly formed Trust-wide finance team.

💼 The Role

As our new Head of Finance, you will be the backbone of financial excellence across the Trust. You’ll:

• Lead, develop and inspire a 6‑strong finance team
• Oversee the day‑to‑day operations that keep our Trust running smoothly
• Produce high-quality monthly management accounts, forecasts and cashflow reports
• Drive strong financial controls and ensure full compliance
• Support strategic financial planning and Trust growth
• Champion continuous improvement and modern, effective financial systems
• Work closely with school leaders, the CFO and Trust Board to support outstanding decision-making

This is a fantastic opportunity for a qualified/part‑qualified/exceptionally experienced finance professional ready to step up, shape a team and help steer a Trust with a powerful moral purpose.

🌈 Who We’re Looking For

A confident, forward-thinking finance leader who brings:
✔ Strong technical skills in budgeting, forecasting and financial control
✔ Experience leading or developing finance teams
✔ The ability to influence, collaborate and communicate at all levels
✔ High professional standards, analytical skill and attention to detail
✔ A passion for education, equity and making a difference

Experience within education is a bonus—but your values, drive and leadership matter most.

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 Orchard Learning Alliance

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Orchard Learning Alliance website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/waingels-academies-trust

The Orchard Learning Alliance is a family of schools dedicated to providing the best possible educational experience and serving our communities through exceptional schools. We believe that education has the power to transform lives and that by working together, as a family of schools, we will enhance the life chances of all our children by equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive.

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