Assistant Director of Primary Curriculum and Standards

Are you an outstanding, experienced and self-motivated senior leader with extensive primary school experience ready to lead Star’s Lead EYFS, phonics and KS1 strategy? Do you want to join a team that provides outstanding leadership, strategic direction and support to some of the best schools in the country? Do you want to play your part in delivering outstanding learning and teaching to young people in disadvantaged communities? If so, joining the Star team might just be the best career move you ever make.

About Star Central

Star Central, which is based at our head office in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies, Star Talent Academy and our schools. The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community. We support our schools to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.

Who we’re looking for

Star Academies is one of the country’s highest performing and fastest growing multi academy trusts, currently operating over 34 primary and secondary schools nationally. We are a values-based organisation that works successfully to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Fundamental to this mission is ensuring that vulnerable children and those who require additional support achieve their full potential.

We are looking for an exceptional primary school senior leader or MAT leader with the ability and authority to lead the Trust’s EYFS, phonics and KS1 strategy, and who can help drive improvements in curriculum quality, teaching, assessment and pupil outcomes in our primary schools. You will have a strong track record of effective leadership and delivery within the primary setting, with a particular focus on EYFS and Key Stage 1. The position requires an individual who can work both strategically and operatively, developing and implementing the Trust’s curriculum and standards strategies in EYFS and Key Stage 1. You will have a track record of successful school leadership with a clear understanding of how to improve curriculums, middle leadership and standards in primary schools. You will also have the ability and expertise to visit schools and provide bespoke support.

You will have:

• A strong track record of delivering excellent teaching and improving standards in EYFS and KS1.
• Extensive experience of middle and senior leadership in primary schools, including working with high EAL, SEND and disadvantaged cohorts.
• A deep knowledge of primary curriculums and assessment models and processes.
• The ability to lead phonics improvements at scale and expertise in the Read, Write Inc. phonics scheme.
• Up-to-date and secure curriculum, pedagogical and assessment knowledge for the whole primary age range.
• The ability to coach, develop and motivate professionals to improve practice and outcomes.
• The ability to use data to diagnose priorities and secure measurable improvement across schools.

About Star Academies

Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 30 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person’s future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our professional development hub, Star Talent Academy. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a large, growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level.

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.

Key Dates

Closing Date: Thursday, 1 October 2026 at midnight. Interview Date: Tuesday, 13 October 2026. Proposed Start Date: Monday, 4 January 2027.

Our Commitment

Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks. We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.