Director of Education - Chester Diocesan Academies Trust

Director of Education

Chester Diocesan Academies Trust

Salary: £75k - £80k

Contract type: Permanent, full time

Location: Warrington. The post will require travel between schools and the Trust head office with home-based hybrid working when required.

Start date: 1^st September 2024

Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for: School Improvement Team

Chester Diocesan Academies Trust is seeking an enthusiastic Director of Education to secure high standards so that Trust schools deliver the best possible outcomes for pupils.

CDAT is a multi-academy Trust currently made up of 13 very diverse schools from across the whole of the Diocese of Chester.

Since being established by the Chester Diocesan Board of Education in 2014, we have developed our vision to build thriving learning communities that provide everyone with the opportunity to achieve the very best with their gifts and abilities.

CDAT is a fully inclusive Trust. Our vision and ethos are firmly rooted in clear, core Christian values, but we are happy to work with both church and community schools, and our schools welcome people of all faiths and none. We offer an educational experience that is rooted in faith, hope and love. We support our schools to ensure that their vision permeates all aspects of school life.

Children are at the heart of CDAT. We want each individual to develop knowledge, skills, understanding and wisdom, underpinned by values based on principles that are important to people of all faiths and no faith.

We are searching for a Director of Education to provide enthusiastic, innovative and consistent leadership throughout the Trust, acting as an ambassador for the Trust locally, regionally and nationally, promoting the ethos and values of the trust at all times.

Essential to the role is a proven background in primary school senior leadership, with a clear record of school improvement and/or sustained high standards, along with successful experience of providing school improvement support to other schools.

Our ideal candidate will be able to lead, challenge and inspire school leaders, enthusing and motivating all staff, enabling them to carry out their roles to the highest level.

The Director of Education will:

• Ensure that the Trust’s vision and values are clearly articulated, shared, understood and effectively acted upon by all.
• Lead the trust’s school improvement team, ensuring that all CDAT schools are supported to provide all pupils with a high quality, broad and balanced educational offer so that they secure ‘good’ (or better) judgements when inspected by Ofsted.
• Support and secure delivery of excellent teaching and learning across the trust, developing and promoting high quality training and development opportunities for staff at all career stages and levels.
• Provide strategic leadership, increase capacity and help secure the long-term success of the Trust by actively helping to shape CDAT’s future direction and its role within the wider self-improving schools system.
• Contribute towards the Trust’s strategic plan and ensure it is reflected in each school’s objectives and improvement plans.

If you are reflective and emotionally resilient, with a good sense of humour, and committed to improving the life chances for all children, we would love to hear from you.

To find out more and register your interest for the role, please visit

If you have any questions or queries about the role, please do not hesitate to get in touch by contacting Laura McGunigle at Satis Education on 07931 384693 or email

• The closing date for application is: Wednesday 17th   April 2024
• Shortlisting: Tuesday 16th April 2024
• Interviews will be held: Thursday 25^th April and Friday 26^th April 2024

Chester Diocesan Academies Trust is committed to the safeguarding of children and young people. An enhanced disclosure from the DBS will be required for all roles. All candidates will also be subject to an online search for information about you as part of our due diligence and commitment to safeguarding.