Together we build brighter futures for our young people with special educational needs.

We have high expectations of ourselves and our pupils and celebrate our achievements.

We embrace difference, celebrate diversity, and promote equality.

We continually learn in order that we can respond to the needs of our young people, and we continually improve through sharing and creating best practice models.

We build impactful collaborations in our staff team across the Trust, with parents, and with wider partnerships.

We respect each person’s distinctive contribution, and develop their talents and work productively together.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people with special education needs and disabilities and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Whilst we recognise the benefits of cross-Trust collaboration and support, we value and preserve the distinctive identities of each school within our Trust. Our focus remains on elevating teaching standards and fostering an environment conducive to lifelong learning. Through our collegiate approach to collaboration and constructive challenge, we enhance outcomes and opportunities for all young people across our communities.

As the CEO of Ascent Academies’ Trust, you will lead the strategic vision of the Trust while ensuring operational excellence and financial sustainability. Our new CEO will uphold the Trust’s ethos of child-centredness and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, which will allow our schools to continue to provide excellent education to their communities. Our new CEO will work closely with the board, school leaders, and external partners to drive performance and support school improvement. You will also oversee financial management, talent development, and stakeholder engagement to ensure the Trust’s continued growth and success.

The Trust’s schools serve diverse communities with varying needs. Our new CEO will join a Trust with a breadth of learner demographics, from schools with multicultural populations and pockets of deprivation to schools in less deprived areas. We value this diversity and see opportunity in this, which we hope our new CEO will embrace and harness for our continued development. We must maintain a child-centred approach, focusing on holistic development and individualised support. Collaboration and partnership are key aspects of the Trust’s operations, and our new CEO will need to be present and influential at our regular network meetings, and professional learning forums, and form relationships with external stakeholders such as the local authority, DfE, and other educational organisations.

As a priority, our Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and there is an expectation that our new CEO will empower our communities to uphold the highest standards in Child Protection.

The Trust is looking to appoint an inspiring, experienced leader to further drive development in our successful and well-reputed Trust. While experience in education leadership is preferred, the Trust is open to candidates from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate a commitment to the Trust’s values and vision. Our new CEO should be an empowering and inspirational leader, capable of guiding the Trust through periods of change and growth while maintaining our core principles and child-centredness. You should have a collaborative and supportive leadership style, with a focus on nurturing partnerships and fostering talent within the trust.

You will be able to demonstrate expertise in leadership and the new CEO must be completely aligned with our vision and values. You should have deep knowledge and experience in leading a complex and dynamic organisation, with a proven ability to manage change, set and maintain a positive culture and competently manage risk.

You will have a proven ability to grow partnerships across the sector, advocating for our wonderful young people in support of improving their quality of life. You will lead with a drive to empower our communities to shine, further securing trust and honesty in collaboration with our family of schools and across wider partnerships. We are seeking a decisive and bold leader with an innovative vision to take our Trust into its next chapter.

Our CEO will work closely with the Executive Leadership team, including the COO and other senior staff members responsible for school improvement, finance, curriculum, and operations. You will report to the board of trustees, so you must come with an understanding of good governance. Our board is high-performing and diverse in its makeup, with individuals from varying backgrounds, including experienced educators, private sector representatives, and those with expertise in governance and oversight.

The relationship between the CEO and the board is characterised by collaboration and accountability. Our new CEO will be expected to provide regular updates to the board on the Trust’s performance, financial status, and strategic initiatives. Additionally, you will work closely with the board to address challenges, make strategic decisions, and ensure the Trust’s continued growth and success.

Our new CEO will play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of The Ascent Academies’ Trust, working collaboratively with stakeholders to uphold its values, drive performance, and provide high-quality education for all pupils across its schools.