At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic direction and drive school improvement for students with Special Educational Needs.
- Company: Join The Gallery Trust, a thriving Special Multi Academy Trust in Oxfordshire.
- Benefits: Make a real impact while enjoying a supportive and inclusive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop leadership capacity and foster a high-performing culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education for students with SEND and create lasting change.
- Qualifications: Experience in education and a strong understanding of SEND required.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 130000 £ per year.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced, talented, and effective individual who can demonstrate success within the education sector and has a sound knowledge and understanding of SEND, to join a thriving Special Multi Academy Trust as the Consultant Education Director at the Orion Academy. The Gallery Trust, a Special Multi Academy Trust based in Oxfordshire, wishes to recruit an exceptional candidate to work with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in driving the strategic direction of Orion Academy in accordance with the Trust’s ethos and values.
The successful candidate will play a vital role in ensuring continued school improvement at Orion Academy, bringing vision, energy, enthusiasm, and an unwavering commitment to enhancing outcomes for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Orion Academy currently offers places to 74 students, and the roll of the school will rise steadily over the next two years to cater for 108 students, aged from 10 to 18 years. Students attend from throughout the county, and transfer from our SEND feeder school, Northern House Academy, and from mainstream primary and secondary schools. Our facilities offer a wide range of exciting curriculum and vocational opportunities to learners, and a fantastic working environment.
All students who attend Orion Academy have an Education, Health and Care Plan, which describes their special needs. The Academy provides education for students with a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs and Cognition and Learning Needs.
As the Orion’s Consultant Education Director, you will work with the CEO, Directors, the Board of Trustees, the leadership team of Orion, and external stakeholders in developing and maintaining core values, delivering school improvement and overseeing professional learning opportunities for our future leaders. You will be driven by a strong moral purpose to strive for excellence and outstanding outcomes for students with SEND. You will be dedicated to the promotion of the Trust’s vision and values and will use these as your guiding principles in your actions and decision making.
This is a significant but time-limited investment designed to:
- stabilise and enhance leadership capacity
- accelerate progress in priority areas
- protect the capacity of the school leadership
- secure measurable improvements in teaching and pupil outcomes
Success in the role will be fulfilling. You will strengthen and develop leadership capacity, and accelerate our improvement priorities and the consistency of their implementation. In doing so, you will create a legacy beyond the duration of your contract of an inspection ready Academy with embedded, sustainable systems and a values-led, high performing culture.
How to Apply: Interested candidates should complete the online application via the My New Term portal. In compliance with Safer Recruitment guidelines, CV’s cannot be accepted and you will need to complete an online application form to be considered for this position. Closing Date: Friday, 10 July 2026. Interviews to be held on Wednesday, 15 July 2026.
Further information about this role can be found in our candidate information pack.
Inclusion and Adjustments: At The Gallery Trust, inclusion is paramount. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcome, respected, and supported throughout our recruitment process. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or have any additional needs that may require adjustments at any stage of your application or interview, please let us know. We are very happy to talk with you about what would help you feel comfortable and able to perform at your best.
The Gallery Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Any offer of employment with The Gallery Trust is subject to verification of ID and qualifications, satisfactory evidence of the right to work in the UK, health clearance, NCTL and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check. The Gallery Trust is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from candidates from all ethnic and community backgrounds.
