The James Cook Learning Trust, Middlesbrough

Post:  Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

FTE: 0.6  

Number on Roll:  1306 

Commencing:  September 2020 

Salary:  Competitive salary depending on experience

What would you do with this rare opportunity to shape the direction of our Trust?

We are looking for an experienced senior leader to influence, motivate and build on our Trust’s vision, ethos and values.

Set in the town of Middlesbrough, James Cook Learning Trust was established in 2018 and has a thriving community of over 1300 pupils in 4 primary schools, aged 3 – 11.  Our pupil population is drawn from the South Middlesbrough suburbs of Marton and Nunthorpe, and to the west from the eastern part of Coulby Newham, however, all schools receive pupils from out of the catchment area.

We are well-respected and known for our high standards, exemplary pupil behaviour and a fully inclusive model of education; enabling all children to fulfil their full potential whatever their starting points.  Our trusts ethos and core values of “discovering, learning and achieving together” support this model and are lived out in the daily work of the Trust and its associated schools.

We are looking for an exceptional leader with a clear picture of outstanding practice, and a track record which demonstrates the ability to provide strategic leadership and direction to all schools in the Trust, and further develop and articulate the vision and ethos of the Trust.  You will be directly accountable to the Board of Trustees for the collective performance and development of the Trust as an organisation and, working collaboratively with Headteachers and local Governing Bodies, for that of the individual schools within it. 

You will act as an ambassador for the Trust and your role as an education professional in a highly respected organisation will require you to engage effectively across the education network locally.

As schools in the Trust include pupils from 3 to 11, we are looking for a leader who has an understanding and passion of the various phases of their learning journeys, from pre-school to primary education and training and employment.  Our schools are all vibrant and distinctive, so we are also looking for a leader who will challenge, support and encourage each of them to flourish individually as well as helping them be strong members of a successful, values-led partnership.

Our Opportunity

To succeed, you must have held a senior position in a good performing school and/or have worked within or led a MAT or other more complex educational organisation.  A strong communicator, your ability to forge and promote positive relationships with all staff, pupils, parents and carers will be key to your success.  We want our schools to be well led and staffed by valued teams who provide excellent teaching and care and we believe that by working collaboratively we will enhance the quality of education in our schools and ensure that every child has the skills, knowledge and understanding to be successful as they continue their learning journey.

This position represents a genuine opportunity to make a significant impact in our Trust, centred on providing excellence, we aspire for our academies to be outstanding in all that they do.  You will need a real desire to achieve and the presence, ambition and expertise to deliver strong, clear leadership and vision. 

Financially astute, you will also build partnerships, while delivering an outstanding educational provision that is sustainable for the long term.  In addition, you will promote our ethos and high expectations, while engaging positively and respectfully with our parent/carer/family community, ensuring we meet the needs of our pupils whilst promoting excellence.

You will lead highly committed, talented, experienced and loyal staff and have strong relationships with other Headteachers, Department for Education, the wider education community and across the Yorkshire Teaching School Alliance.

In return, we can offer you: 

• A high level of support from staff and colleagues within the James Cook Learning Trust
• Friendly and caring schools where all stakeholders work together for the benefit of the children.
• Motivated, dedicated staff and a committed, active and supportive Trust Board.
• Good schools which support pupils to aspire to the very best, with a broad and balanced curriculum offer, collaborative learning and a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
• An opportunity to help shape the future of our Trust and continued professional development. 

The James Cook Learning Trust (JCLT) has an incredibly bright outlook and presents a unique professional development opportunity for the right candidate.  For an informal, confidential conversation about the role, please call Rachel Wales who is supporting this recruitment process on behalf of the JCLT and can be contacted at North Yorkshire County Council on 01609 532597 / 07973692529.

We strongly recommend that you visit us so we can share with you why we are so proud of our Trust, allowing you the opportunity to see what we have to offer.  If you would like the opportunity to visit, please email rachel.wales@northyorks.gov.uk  

Key dates:

Trust Visits: Tuesday 25 February, Thursday 5 March & Tuesday 10 March 
Application Closing date:  Midnight, Sunday 15 March 
Shortlisting:  Wednesday 18 March 
Interviews:  Monday 30 & Tuesday 31 March  

For more information please visit:  http://www.nyresourcing.co.uk/ceo-james-cook-learning-trust/