Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £140,000 to £160,000 depending on experience

Hours: Full-Time

Job Term: Permanent

Base: Bridgwater College Academy, Bridgwater

Are you ready to transform education and empower communities?

Bridgwater and Taunton College Trust (BTC Trust) is seeking an exceptional and visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead our ambitious mission of delivering outstanding, inclusive education while championing civic responsibility and community cohesion across Somerset.

About BTC Trust:

BTC Trust is a thriving and values-driven multi-academy trust dedicated to transforming lives through education. Proudly serving diverse communities across Somerset, we operate a family of 8 schools and 3 APEX Centres that cater to learners from early years to post-16 education. Our unique portfolio of schools is united by the belief that every child deserves an outstanding education, regardless of their background or circumstances.

At BTC Trust, our values—Ambition, Collaboration, and Inclusion—shape everything we do. We believe every child, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves an outstanding education. Our schools are safe, nurturing environments where students thrive academically and personally. We are also deeply committed to our role in the community, with our schools serving as hubs of opportunity, support, and engagement for families and residents.

BTC Trust is more than a collection of schools—it is a force for educational equity and continuous improvement, rooted in its local communities. We are passionate about tackling disadvantage, celebrating diversity, and empowering learners to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Your Role as CEO:

• Lead a dynamic multi-academy trust, ensuring every child achieves and schools meet the unique needs of our community.
• Tackle educational inequality, delivering high-quality education across rural and diverse settings.
• Foster strong partnerships with local communities, stakeholders, and authorities to drive systemic change.
• Promote sustainability and financial stewardship while ensuring compliance and safeguarding excellence.
• Empower staff through professional development and inclusive leadership, cultivating future leaders in education.
• Shape the strategic direction of a forward-thinking Trust and create sustainable change across our schools and the Somerset education landscape.

We offer:

• The unique opportunity to lead an ambitious, innovative, and values-driven Trust with the full backing of a committed and collaborative team.
• A pivotal role in shaping the future of education across Somerset, building strategies that deliver tangible improvement and growth.
• The chance to lead in a Trust that serves diverse communities, providing educational equity and excellence across a wide range of local schools.
• The satisfaction of living and working in a region that offers a high quality of life, combining career achievement with personal fulfilment. Somerset is known for its vibrant communities, affordable living, and stunning natural landscapes.
• Employee benefits including: Cycle-to-work scheme, hybrid working, a comprehensive health and wellbeing package.
• Excellent pension scheme with a minimum 23% employer contribution.
• A relocation package to be agreed at offer stage.

How to apply:

More information about this role and full job description can be found in the recruitment pack. If you require this in a different format, please contact

In support of your application, you are welcome to submit a covering letter. This should be sent to the recruitment email above. Please note that we operate ‘blind shortlisting’ and any identifying details will be anonymised.

Applicants wishing to find out more about the role should contact Katy Hockings, Executive Assistant at to schedule a call with the Chair of the Board. Additionally, we will be hosting an online information event in the week commencing 10th February; please contact to register your interest in attending.

Application deadline: Midnight, 23rd February 2025

Shortlisting: week commencing 24th February 2025

Interviews scheduled: 10th to 12th March 2025 (applicants will need to be available on all 3 days).

Take the next step in your leadership journey. Be the catalyst for change as CEO of BTC Trust.

We believe in hiring for potential and this means that we value individuals for the knowledge, skills, and experience that they have developed in every aspect of their lives. If you don’t feel that you meet all of the criteria listed in the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply.

We care about our staff and provide a number of benefits in addition to salary including a positive and supportive working environment, employer pension contribution of at least 23%, generous annual leave entitlement for all-year-round staff, on-site gyms, free parking, access to a retail discounts platform, and Employee Assistance Programme. Helping you achieve a good work-life balance is important to us. Lots of our colleagues work flexibly, including part-time hours and/or job shares, and we are happy to discuss these opportunities with you.

We truly believe that diversity of thought, culture, background, and perspective secure the best outcomes for our students. We strive to build teams that represent our local communities and welcome applications from individuals who identify as members of an under-represented group, and in particular individuals who identify as BAME, disabled, or LGBT. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.

Bridgwater & Taunton College Trust is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share its commitment. Our mission is that all children achieve. A criminal disclosure check will be requested for any applicant who is offered a position.

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