Chief Executive Officer

Philip Southcote School; Ewell; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

Holiday entitlement

Training & development

Recognition policies

Wellbeing support

Discount platform

Work-life balance

Free parking

Sick pay

Job summary

Bourne Education Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic, operational and moral leadership across its network of schools. Reporting to the Board, the CEO will set the vision, drive performance and ensure educational excellence, sustainability and inclusion within a values‑led culture.

The successful candidate will lead the ARC: Raising Ambition, Building Resilience and Strengthening Contribution strategy, engage with pupils, families and communities, and

Job description

Benefits

• Generous pension and holiday entitlement
• training and development
• recognition policies
• wellbeing support (24/7 GP access & EAP)
• access to discount platform
• work-life balance friendly policies
• free parking
• occupational sick pay

Bourne Education Trust (BET) is a values-led organisation with a clear mission of "transforming schools and changing lives". Serving more than 16,500 pupils and employing over 2,300 staff across a diverse family of primary, secondary, specialist and alternative provision schools in London, Surrey and Hampshire, BET combines significant scale with a deep commitment to the communities it serves. The Trust's collaborative and participative ethos ensures that every school has a voice in key decisions, whilst maintaining and strengthening its own distinctive culture and identity.

As BET enters the next stage of its development, following the launch of its new five-year strategy, ARC: Raising Ambition, Building Resilience and Strengthening Contribution, the Trust seeks an exceptional Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Reporting to the Board, the CEO will provide the strategic, operational and moral leadership of the Trust, ensuring that all schools deliver exceptional education, grow and operate sustainably and embody BET's values in every decision, partnership and interaction. The successful candidate will lead the delivery of the ARC strategy, helping to ensure that pupils, colleagues, families and communities are equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world whilst remaining focused on improving life chances.

The successful candidate will be an inspiring, values-driven leader with a strong track record of senior educational leadership, organisational development and school improvement. They will bring the strategic vision, financial acumen and collaborative mindset required to lead a large and complex organisation, alongside a commitment to educational excellence, innovation and inclusion. Above all, they will share BET's ambition to transform schools, change lives and strengthen the communities it serves.

Bourne Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments will be subject to appropriate safeguarding and pre-employment checks.

Appointment brief

The candidate appointment brief can be viewed using the link below for this vacancy.

The closing date for this vacancy is the 23rd October 2026. However we strongly recommend applying early to have the best possible chance of being considered. Applications will be considered on receipt, and we retain the right to amend the closing date and withdraw this vacancy if we have received sufficient applications.

Bourne Education Trust are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare and safety of its staff and pupils, and follows safeguarding interview procedures. We expect all candidates to meet the highest standard of safeguarding and successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Bourne Education Trust is committed to equality of opportunity for all colleagues, pupils and other stakeholders. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.In advertising our vacancies, we are committed to accommodating diverse needs. If you require the applicant job pack to be supplied in a different format, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to provide a suitable alternative.

For further information about this vacancy please contact us using Ref: TCBGA.