The Athelstan Trust is a caring, collaborative community of 10 schools across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire. Established in 2015, we have stayed true to our founding values and intent, which is to serve our communities by providing an excellent, inclusive education, every day.

We educate over 5000 pupils in 10 schools with more than 850 staff. Our trust includes 6 secondary schools and 4 primary schools serving a range of communities, from the Forest of Dean to the market towns of Chippenham, Chipping Sodbury, Malmesbury and Tetbury, to rural villages, to the outskirts of Swindon. 

Each of our schools maintains its own identity and tailors its offer to meet the needs of the school’s community and the children who attend.

We are absolutely committed to raising educational standards for all the children in our schools. We believe in developing the talents and skills of all our staff and students.

This is an exciting time to join us!

In 2025, The Trust appointed a new Chair of Trustees and CEO. At this moment of change, trustees renewed the vision and plans for the trust and agreed ambitious strategic priorities to reflect its size and ambition. The Athelstan Trust therefore embarks on its second decade with optimism and determination to deliver excellence for every pupil.

As a medium sized trust with over £50m income each year, we are developing our offer to schools and formalising systems and processes to ensure operational effectiveness, value for money, and high-quality central services. Educational excellence begins with high quality professional services which enable school leaders to focus on children, teaching and school culture.

Best wishes,

Matthew Evans

Chief Executive Officer

The Athelstan Trust

Our Philosophy as an Employer 

The Athelstan Trust is absolutely committed to raising educational standards for all the children in our schools. In order to do this, we need to recruit the best staff who are committed to our vision and values.

We aim to be the employer of choice in our area and genuinely believe that all roles in our organisation can be carried out within a flexible working model. Working in schools should be seen as part of a rich fulfilling life and not a barrier to it. We will always consider a flexible working option for every post.

We understand that we need to support staff to achieve our goals and have in place a professional development programme that offers internal and external opportunities to develop the talents and skills of all our staff.

Why work for us?

CULTURE: our staff tell us that we are a great employer because we put people first.

FLEXIBILITY: we value flexible working because it means happier, fulfilled employees.

DEVELOPMENT: people have long and successful careers with opportunities to grow and develop.

SALARY: we pay well by industry standards and benchmark against other Trusts.

LOCATION: our schools are geographically close, meaning face-to-face collaboration.

Generous pension scheme with the LGPS

Enhanced Employee assistance programme, including a virtual GP service 

Flexible working opportunities and a genuine commitment to family and work/life balance 

Generous holiday allowance for support staff

Recognition of local government continuous service 

Cycle to Work scheme 

Free will writing service

Free flu vaccinations and support with eye tests and glasses