The Trust seeks a high-performing, dynamic and strategic Executive Director of Secondary Education to inspire our secondary teams and lead our secondary academies to become some of the very best in the UK. We seek a passionate and inspiring system leader to support and collaborate with the CEO and the Senior Executive Team, further increasing the Trust’s capacity to provide an outstanding education to our pupils. This is a great opportunity for a leading educator wanting to develop into the next stage in their career.

Whilst this role focuses first and foremost on leading the Trust’s academic functions, setting and delivering stretching academic targets and supporting the deployment of staff and resources, the post-holder will also be expected to contribute to leadership across the Trust’s wider operations – which could include our Teaching School Hub, enrichment programme, outdoor learning provision and/or safeguarding.

You will have a proven track record in raising academic standards across KS3-5, embedding best practice and sustaining excellence. Your experience and expertise will include impact at system level, across multiple academies. Accountable to the CEO for secondary academic performance, you will know what is required to achieve our strategic aims. This is a rare opportunity to influence the lives of thousands of young people, working alongside a community of dedicated educators and professionals united by a shared commitment to excellence. 

We are flexible on the role’s location but the post-holder will need to be able to fulfil all the requirements of the role.

Who we are looking for

·        A logical, structured thinker who is focused on non-negotiable trust-wide quality standards, research-proven approaches and use of evidence to drive decision-making

·        Passionate about realising the potential of all our students

·        Experienced Principal/Head Teacher as well as system-leader

·        Proven success in school transformation across multiple settings, able to articulate sustainable impact and improvements in both progress and attainment

·        Ability to contribute to national policy debates and up-to-date with the latest developments in the education sector

·        Demonstrates ambition, courage and aspiration

·        Able to lead and to inspire followership amongst senior educators within the Trust

Salary & Benefits

·        Competitive salary

·        Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

·        31 days annual leave plus statutory holidays

·        Regional networks of Trust colleagues and access to key leaders in Education

·        Commitment to employee Health and Wellbeing including dedicated Employee Assistance Programme

·        Awards and Recognition Scheme

·        Benefits Platform : Health & Wellbeing Programme : Cycle to Work Scheme

The application process

If you would like to hear more about the role, our CEO will be available for a telephone call on Wednesday 21^st January 2026.  Please contact Grace Bellamy (PA to the CEO) on gbellamy@dret.co.uk to arrange a mutually convenient time.

You should then complete and submit our on-line application form via the ‘apply now’ tab. 

The closing date for receipt of applications is  12 noon, Wednesday 28^th January 2026.

The selection process will comprise of two rounds.  Round One on Thursday 5^th February 2026 and, for candidates progressing to Round Two, on Wednesday 11^th February 2026.

The David Ross Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

It is our objective to ensure that job applicants and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential. We do not discriminate against any applicants on the basis of any protected characteristics.

The David Ross Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo vetting appropriate to the post, including a social media presence check and Enhanced DBS check. The successful applicant will be expected to adhere to all safeguarding, welfare and health and safety policies and procedures of the Trust.

All pre-employment checks are in line with "Keeping Children Safe in Education" statutory guidance.