School Improvement Lead

Aspirational Futures Multi Academy Trust, Chorley, PR7 6TE

6 days remaining to apply

Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
11 May 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
5 May 2026

Job details

Job role: Other leadership roles
Other support roles
Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern: Full time: Monday - Friday
Contract type: Permanent
Pay scale: L26 - L30

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking an energetic and inspirationalSchool Improvement Lead: L26 - L30

Required from September 2026

We are seeking an inspiring and committed individual to join our trust as School Improvement Lead. This is a critical role for an ambitious leader with extensive experience of school leadership in the primary phase as well as having experience as an Ofsted Inspector or HMI. Aspirational Futures Multi Academy Trust is comprised of five schools, two secondary and three primary. The ideal candidate will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on our continued development, both in our schools and across the wider trust, through leading on trust wide school improvement, CPD and supporting on special educational needs and its development.

Main purpose

The School Improvement Lead is an outstanding strategic leader in primary or specialist education with extensive experience in school improvement and raising standards. The School Improvement Lead will support the CEO in expanding the family of schools in the trust as well as raising standards across all trust schools, with specific focus on preparing schools for inspection, devising and delivering whole trust CPD and supporting special educational needs across the trust.

Main Responsibilities and Duties

The duties and responsibilities listed below are indicative of the tasks the School Improvement Lead will perform, and not intended to be an exhaustive list. The post holder may be expected to take on additional responsibilities appropriate to the role as they arise.

The School Improvement Lead will be accountable to the CEO and Board of Trustees for:

Chair and lead the School Improvement Group’s termly meetings, produce an agenda and minutes
Work with the CEO to develop the strategic partnerships with primary schools across Lancashire, positioning the trust as a partner of choice whilst contributing directly to the trust’s growth strategy through values driven sustainable expansion.
Promote and foster collaboration across the trust schools
Drive the trust’s outward-facing collaboration with other schools and organisations - in a climate of mutual challenge - to champion best practice and secure excellent achievements for all pupils
Provide guidance and support regarding Ofsted inspections across the trust
Develop effective relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues within and beyond the trust schools to improve academic and social outcomes for all
Support headteachers in the trust with quality assurance
Devise and deliver ongoing trust-wide CPD
Work with the Trust Primary Lead and the trust SENCOs to provide special educational needs support, guidance, CPD and lead a trust-wide SENCO group
Help prepare the trust for Trust Inspections

Trust schools

Working with the headteachers and senior leadership teams on school improvement initiatives.
Working with schools to prepare them for their next Ofsted inspection
Providing professional challenge and support to the school through regular visits and meetings, ensuring records are kept and presented to the CEO, with special attention paid to:
Behaviour management & rewards systems.
Attendance.
Quality of Education
Communication with stakeholders.
Ensuring the responsible and appropriate use of public funds.
Provide dynamic, motivational and inspirational leadership, coaching and mentoring.
Model the trust’s commitment to continuous improvement and high achievement across all areas of its work.
Reporting to the Board of Trustees.

Additional Responsibilities

Deal with any immediate problems or emergencies according to the trust’s policies and procedures;
Respect confidential issues linked to home/pupils/teacher/school work;
Comply with the trust’s Child Safeguarding Procedures;
Comply with the trust policies and procedures at all times;
Undertake other reasonable duties (with competence and experience) as requested, in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Candidates should complete and submit the electronic application form available on the trust website together with an accompanying letter, in which you outline your experience and suitability for the position. Applications should be returned to the Chair of Trustees, Keith Fielding, viahr@aspirationalfutures.co.uk.

Closing date for applications is 9 am on Monday, 11th May and the interview will be on Friday, 15th May.

Conversations with the CEO are encouraged and can be arranged by contacting HR via hr@aspirationalfutures.co.uk.

Applications will be considered in order of receipt. We reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy should a suitable applicant be found prior to the closing date. Aspirational Futures Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its staff and pupils and expects those working in the trust to share this commitment. Applications from ethnic minority candidates and other diverse groups are welcomed. Online checks will be completed for shortlisted candidates. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service as well as qualification and reference checks. Copies of our Recruitment and Selection policy are available from hr@aspirationalfutures.co.uk.

What the school offers its staff

Our trust vision.

Advance education by providing a holistic, all-through education to ensure our learners are well-prepared and ready to meet the challenges of the next stage in their education, training or employment.
Instil the character traits necessary to ensure all our learners can successfully contribute to a global society by focusing on an evidence-based approach to Character Education and Personal Development from Reception through to Year 11.
Offer rich and varied opportunities to promote spiritual, moral, cultural and social development, from primary through to secondary.
Aim to ensure no child, regardless of their educational needs or background, is left behind due to our inclusive approach.
Ensure our learners can contribute economically to the local and surrounding communities through our deep understanding of careers and economic education, and the local, regional and national labour markets.

The benefits of working with us.

In our trust we place emphasis on wellbeing, collaboration and professional development for our staff, underpinned by research. Our aim is to ensure our students finish their education with us as well-rounded, well-grounded individuals who will make a positive contribution to society, which is partly achieved by ensuring our workforce is supported and professionally challenged, underpinned by comprehensive CPD programmes and wellbeing initiatives. We offer the following benefits, designed to promote your wellbeing and make your role enjoyable and rewarding.

Salary: L26 - L30 on the national teachers’ Leadership scale with automatic percentage increase as negotiated nationally.
Paid leave: maternity/paternity leave, statutory adoption leave, shared parental leave, parental bereavement leave.
A culture that actively promotes a positive work-life balance and wellbeing initiatives.
Professional development: full and part-funded training courses (including higher cost courses such as Masters, PhD) plus a wide range of external and in-house learning opportunities available to all.
Employee assistance programme.
CycleSolutions: facility to purchase bicycles and equipment at reduced cost through payroll.

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.