Chief Executive Officer

Westcountry Schools Trust; Ivybridge; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Westcountry Schools Trust in the South West is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead a family of 31 schools across Devon, Plymouth and Cornwall. This is a significant opportunity to set strategic direction and deliver lasting improvements in outcomes for children and communities.

The successful candidate will unite educational credibility, strong governance, and a values-led, collaborative leadership style with the ability to balance local identity with the collective strength

Qualifications

• Experience leading a multi-school trust or large educational organisation.
• Ability to drive improvement and inclusion across phases.
• Strong governance relationships and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of Strategy 2030 and shape the Trust’s next phase.
• Provide strategic direction and ensure strong governance across 31 schools.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Governance relationships

Educational credibility

Strategic judgement

Job description

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead our close and connected family of 31 schools across Devon, Plymouth and Cornwall. This is a significant opportunity to lead a substantial, values-led, cross-phase trust with strong foundations, a clear strategic direction and the scale to make a meaningful difference for children, young people and communities across the South West.

Working with the Trust Board, school leaders, executive colleagues, WeST Community Councils and wider communities, our next CEO will lead the delivery of WeST Strategy 2030 and shape the Trust’s next phase with confidence, integrity and ambition. The successful candidate will bring educational credibility, strategic judgement, strong governance relationships and the ability to lead a large and complex organisation in the public interest, while strengthening the local voice, civic responsibility and community connection that sit at the heart of WeST’s strategy.

We are looking for a visible and values-led leader who shares our commitment to collaboration, aspiration, integrity, compassion and respect. You will be ambitious for all children, confident in leading improvement and inclusion across phases, and able to balance local identity with the collective strength, assurance and support of a strong trust.

We recognise that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the development of their application; however, Trustees are keen to hear your own authentic voice, judgement and motivation, and your personal statement should clearly reflect the human insight, experience and values you would bring to the role.

Assessment and interview activities will take place on Wednesday and Thursday 11th and 12th November 2026. For enquiries, including requests for an informal conversation with the Chair of the Trust Board or visits to the Trust, please contact Pippa Truman-Davies, Governance Lead and Clerk, via [e-mail]

We would welcome the successful candidate taking up post as soon as this can reasonably be arranged, taking account of their current contractual notice period and any associated resignation arrangements.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. Candidates who require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process are encouraged to contact the dedicated inbox so that appropriate arrangements can be discussed.
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