Bringing out the best
The Howard Partnership Trust (THPT) is one of the largest and most inclusive MATs in Surrey, with over 7000 pupils in four secondary, six primary academies and three special schools. Our 2030 strategy focuses on delivering ‘A Life-Changing Education’ and we are passionate about disrupting disadvantage and having the highest of standards whilst we meet a vast array of needs. THPT has already made great strides forward in improving some of the most disadvantaged Surrey schools, but we are not complacent and there is much more to do. This is where this new, exciting role comes in.
To accelerate improvement in our schools and to deepen our impact, we are now seeking to appoint an Executive Director of Education. You will work alongside our CEO and Partnership Leaders to enable the highest quality education for every child and to embed sustainable excellence across the trust. Personally, you will be responsible for driving forward progress in our schools, valuing the agency of our talented school leaders whilst supporting them to improve outcomes at pace. Demonstrably raising attainment and developing our curriculum offer to make it the very best for our students will be critical to your success in this role.
You’ll bring a driven, flexible, and strategic mindset, alongside a proven track record in executive leadership. Evidence of delivering impactful change and success in school improvement beyond one school will be essential, although there is no fixed blueprint for where you might currently be based. Cross-phase experience during your leadership career would be a real asset, as would experience of leading complex schools. You will bring strong influencing skills and a depth of expertise and credibility to the trust, and we will look to you to elevate our thinking around education. Our new Executive Director of Education will have the clarity of vision and personal presence to represent THPT externally, whenever it is of positive benefit to the trust and the sector.
If you have the track record and credibility to take on this critical role at a pivotal time for the trust, we would love to hear from you. In return, we can offer you the chance to be part of a forward-thinking and growing organisation, working together to build excellence across our family of inclusive schools. This is a genuine opportunity to work at the very heart of our trust and to play a lead role in driving improvements, making a tangible difference to the lives of children. THPT offers excellent support, flexibility and opportunities for its leaders.
Close date for applications: Sunday 28th September 2025, 8pm
Interviews: Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th October 2025
The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
The Howard Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Due to the nature of this role, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. In making your application, it is essential you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up; any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.
As well as verification of identity, we ask all successful candidates to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet safeguarding duties, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).