Chief Education Officer

Shorefields; Thundersley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational trust based in Thundersley is seeking a passionate Chief Education Officer who will lead educational excellence across multiple schools. This role emphasizes a hands-on approach, ensuring exceptional teaching and support for all students, particularly those facing challenges. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong leadership skills and the ability to collaborate effectively. This full-time position offers competitive pay and the opportunity to be an influential leader in a growing educational community.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in educational leadership.
• Strong understanding of educational quality frameworks.
• Experience with data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Champion exceptional teaching across nine schools.
• Strengthen leadership capacity within the Trust.
• Ensure disadvantaged pupils perform on par with peers.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Data Analysis

Educational Quality Assurance

Collaboration

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC0-50L Position Type: Director Pay Range: Competitive based on Experience

Position Start Date: 01/09/2026 Contract Type: Full-time/Part-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 27/02/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: 11 and 12 March 2026

It's because it's impossible that it's possible

South East Essex Academy Trust is not standing still. Since 2021, we have doubled in size. All seven schools that formed our newly enlarged trust in 2021 have been judged Good or Outstanding under the previous inspection framework. We are held in high regard by the DfE's Regional Director and team. But we are not satisfied.

A great trust is built from great schools - and we know we can be better.

We are now seeking a brilliant Chief Education Officer with a passion for the possible to help us accelerate improvement, raise achievement across all phases, and ensure that every child - regardless of their background - benefits from consistently excellent teaching.

We are a local trust where collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in visible leadership. We know our schools well and you don't need to go through multiple management layers to speak to the CEO.

We are not driven by fads. We are driven by what matters. We believe:

• Great teaching changes lives.
• Equity does not mean lowering the bar - it means helping every pupil reach it.
• If it works for our SEND pupils, it works for everyone.
• Reading unlocks the whole curriculum.

If that resonates with you, read on.

This is not a desk job.

As Chief Education Officer, you will be the strategic guardian of educational quality across our nine schools; but you will also roll up your sleeves, walk corridors, visit classrooms, and work shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders where capacity or momentum is needed. This role reports directly to the CEO and sits at the heart of the SEEAT Executive Team.

You will:

• Champion exceptional teaching and ensure excellence becomes normal practice
• Strengthen leadership capacity across the Trust
• Use data intelligently and ensure robust tracking systems identify underachievement swiftly
• Relentlessly track the impact of professional learning
• Support schools to be distinctive without being disconnected from the family of schools
• Ensure disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND perform in line with all other pupils nationally
• Provide trustees and governors with clear, timely assurance
• Support leaders through inspection with calm credibility
• You will balance challenge and support; building a culture where improvement is deliberate, not accidental.

We try to clearly articulate our vision, values, and expectations when putting together information for applicants so please have a look at our recruitment pack.

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail please contact Sophie Roberts, EA on 07745 523 469. She can arrange for you to have a 'virtual coffee' with our CEO, Andrew. All other enquiries should go to [e-mail].

We reserve the right to close the role earlier than the closing date if sufficient applications are received.
South East Essex Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects its entire staff to share this commitment. All postholders working in our schools will be considered to work in Regulated Activity and will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance all shortlisted candidates may be subject to online searches that may include social media. For further information please contact [e-mail]

Information about the School

South East Essex Academy Trust (SEEAT) is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) with eight schools.

SEEAT was inaugurated on 1st April 2014. It was made up from Westcliff High School for Girls, Prince Avenue Academy, Nursery and Children’s Centre (sponsored by WHSG) and Rochford Primary School and Nursery. The Trust enlarged on 1st September 2014 with WHSG sponsoring the academisation of Holt Farm Junior School. In September 2021 The Deanes School, Hadleigh Junior School and The Westborough School joined us followed by Heycroft Primary School in January 2024.

Since April 2024 we have been supporting Cornelius Vermuyden School and working in close partnership, including providing and Executive Head arrangement.

We are a friendly, collaborative family of schools and we believe that all the schools in the family have become significantly stronger since working together as part of SEEAT.

We are looking to grow in a measured way over the next few years. If you are interested in joining us, we would be happy to talk to school leaders and governors about your options and to share how we believe SEEAT could make a positive difference to the pupils, staff, and families in your school.

Please contact HR at [e-mail] for recruitment queries or [e-mail] for other queries.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Documents

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Diane Cotgrove
South East Essex Academy Trust
Daws Heath Road
Thundersley, Benfleet
Essex, SS7 2TD Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Member - Discovery Educational Trust

Discovery Educational Trust, Brentwood Closing: 27/03/2026 Midnight

Trustee - Discovery Educational Trust

Discovery Educational Trust, Brentwood Closing: 27/03/2026 Midnight