Danes Educational Trust is seeking to appoint up to two passionate and skilled Project Leads to join our primary central education team for a fixed-term period during 2026/2027. This opportunity is ideal for experienced teachers or middle leaders within our trust who are keen to gain a wider understanding of working as part the central team as well as make an impact on primary phase workstreams and projects which will benefit all schools and pupils.  

Primary Project Leads will receive remuneration for their work undertaken in addition to their role.  They will play a pivotal role in support school improvement through undertaking project work on the Reading or Writing curriculum, in addition to other trust-wide curriculum development, PiXL, assessment, subject leadership and delivering professional development to school-based staff.  

For the Project Lead for Reading, this will specifically include work supporting the Primary Directors in the implementation of a trust-wide Reading framework with supporting resources and documentation for schools and leaders.  The Project Lead for Writing will specifically include work on documentation and resources to support schools in the delivery of foundational knowledge and skills in the primary phase, namely handwriting and spelling programmes.  

Key Responsibilities

-Keeping abreast of best practice and latest advice/directives within the curriculum and responsibility areas they lead. 

-Work in collaboration with the Lead Primary Trust Partner, Primary Directors and school leaders to share best practices in curriculum and pedagogy.

-Contribute to the design and delivery of trust-wide professional development initiatives aligned with subject leadership and school improvement priorities. 

-Support the analysis of pupil outcomes and school data to inform strategic planning and intervention at school and trust level.

-Assist in the creation, evaluation and refinement of trust-wide curriculum resources.

-Represent the primary central education team at network meetings, contributing to the broader vision and strategy for primary education within the trust.

We are looking for knowledge, experience and training

Essential:

- Currently employed as a teacher or leader* within a Danes Educational Trust primary school.

- Experience of subject leadership, and an impact of this within school

- A successful track record of high-quality teaching, supported by impact evidence, of working effectively in your own school

- Strong understanding of effective teaching, learning, and assessment practices.

- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

- Ability to work collaboratively and influence beyond one's own school context.

- Commitment to the values and ethos of Danes Educational Trust.

Desirable:

- Experience in delivering professional development or support to colleagues.

- Experience in leadership of a core subject (Reading and/or Writing).

- Involvement in cross-school or MAT-wide initiatives.

- Evidence of impact on pupil outcomes through subject leadership.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (written and oral)

- The ability to utilise high levels of emotional intelligence to work sensitively and collaboratively with peer colleagues

- Hold a UK driving licence so as to travel as required from time to time to fulfil the role

- A natural aptitude to model the Trust’s core behaviours – ‘We display transparency, kindness and respect in all our interactions with others, and support each other in all our endeavours.

What We Offer

- A unique opportunity to shape primary education across a growing trust.

- Professional development and leadership experience beyond your current role.

- A supportive and ambitious primary central education team.

- Opportunities to work collaboratively with talented professionals across multiple schools.

If you are an enthusiastic and committed educator looking to contribute to primary excellence beyond your own school, we would love to hear from you.

*Please note that due to the demands of their existing role, the Project Lead role is not suitable for a senior leader within school who is currently on the leadership pay scale.