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- Tasks: Lead and inspire educational excellence across multiple secondary schools.
- Company: Unity Schools Partnership, a forward-thinking Multi Academy Trust.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, Teachers' Pension, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education and transform lives in the East of England.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Secondary Headteacher with strategic vision.
- Other info: Join a collaborative leadership team committed to ethical leadership and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 116456 - 134860 £ per year.
You will collaborate closely with the Executive Director of Education (Mainstream), fellow Directors of Education across our Primary, Secondary and Special phases, and wider senior trust leaders to drive excellence, serving as link director for a subset of our 9 secondary schools. Beyond school improvement, you will play a pivotal role in influencing the strategic direction of a dynamic and expanding Trust of 40 schools. Our vision is bold: to deliver top-quartile performance by 2030, underpinned by ethical leadership, innovation, and a culture of collaboration.
About Unity Schools Partnership: We are a forward-thinking Multi Academy Trust committed to improving outcomes for all pupils. Our work is characterised by ambition, innovation and collaboration, and we believe remarkable change is possible.
Qualifications & Responsibilities:
- A proven track record as a Secondary Headteacher, ideally with experience in a MAT or leading across multiple schools.
- Deep understanding of outstanding secondary practice delivering sustained excellent outcomes and with experience of overcoming cycles of underperformance.
- Strategic vision and the ability to influence at the highest level.
- Creativity and innovation to drive forward our internationally recognised CUSP curriculum which is achieving transformational change at KS3 and now developing into KS4.
- A collaborative leader who inspires others and builds strong relationships with a deep commitment to serving our most vulnerable pupils.
Join a high-performing leadership team driving educational excellence and delivering life-changing outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. Work closely with executive colleagues to set our strategy, with inclusion and the delivery of great outcomes for all pupils at its heart. Influence practice across multiple schools and help create a culture of excellence through leaders across a network of schools. Enjoy a role where ambition, pace, and ethical leadership are at the heart of everything we do.
Salary: Spot salary will be determined within the range of £116,456 to £134,860 per annum
Job start: September 2026
Contract: Full-time, 52 weeks per year, permanent, Teachers' Pension
Shape secondary education across the East of England - and transform the futures of thousands of children. This is a rare opportunity to set the pace for secondary education across the East of England - shaping strategy, accelerating school improvement, and building the conditions for excellence at scale. If you're a proven Headteacher and system leader who thrives on ambition, influence and ethical leadership, this role gives you the platform and autonomy to make durable change at scale: guiding practice across multiple schools, developing exceptional people, and aligning innovation with impact. Join a values led Trust where collaboration is real, challenge is welcomed, and the bar is set high - for you, for our teams, and for the pupils we serve.
Director of Education (Secondary) in East Cowes employer: Unity Schools Partnership
Contact Detail:
Unity Schools Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Education (Secondary) in East Cowes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, attend relevant events, and engage with others on social media. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Trust and its schools. Understand their values, challenges, and successes. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! Be ready to discuss how you’ve inspired teams and driven change in previous roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact and vision for secondary education.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re committed to being part of our ambitious and collaborative Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Education (Secondary) in East Cowes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for education shine through in your application. We want to see how your vision aligns with our bold goals and how you can contribute to transforming secondary education.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience as a Secondary Headteacher and any relevant work in a Multi Academy Trust. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've driven excellence and overcome challenges in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Be sure to mention your strategic vision and collaborative leadership style, and how these will help us achieve our ambitious targets.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unity Schools Partnership
✨Know Your Vision
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your own vision for secondary education. Be ready to discuss how your strategic vision aligns with the Trust's bold goals for 2030. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also passionate about driving excellence.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
As a Director of Education, collaboration is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked with other leaders and teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where your collaborative approach led to improved outcomes, especially for vulnerable pupils.
✨Demonstrate Innovation
The role requires creativity and innovation, particularly in relation to the CUSP curriculum. Think of innovative strategies you've implemented in previous roles that have led to transformational change. Be ready to discuss how you can bring fresh ideas to the Trust.
✨Prepare for Tough Questions
Expect questions about overcoming underperformance and driving school improvement. Prepare clear, concise examples from your experience that demonstrate your ability to tackle challenges head-on. This will help you convey your resilience and problem-solving skills effectively.