Director of Education

Suffolk County Council; Haverhill; On-site; GBP 108,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational trust in Haverhill is seeking a Director of Education to lead primary education in the East of England. This pivotal role requires a proven headteacher with a strategic vision to shape educational outcomes for thousands of children. The successful candidate will collaborate with senior leaders to drive improvement, create a culture of excellence, and ensure high performance. The position offers a competitive salary and aims for ambitious and ethical leadership in education.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Commitment to safeguarding and diversity

High-performing leadership team

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a Primary Headteacher, ideally in a MAT.
• Deep understanding of outstanding primary education outcomes.
• Strategic vision to influence at the highest level.
• Creativity to drive forward an internationally recognised curriculum.
• Skills to inspire others and build strong relationships.

Responsibilities

• Shape strategy for primary education across the East of England.
• Collaborate closely with executive directors and fellow leaders.
• Drive excellence across a network of 40 schools.
• Influence strategic direction of the Trust.

Skills

Proven track record as a Primary Headteacher

Understanding of outstanding primary practice

Strategic vision and influence

Creativity and innovation

Collaborative leadership skills

Job description

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Job Description

• Unity Schools Partnership
• Address: Unity Schools Partnership Trust Office, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 8QP
• Salary: £108,202 - £119,350 per annum (L31-L35, with potential extension to L37 for exceptional performance)
• Hours: Full time
• Contract: Permanent, required to start April or September 2026
• Reference: 8315

Unity Schools Partnership are seeking to appoint a Director of Education to join them in shaping primary education across the East of England and transform the futures of thousands of children.

This is a rare opportunity to set the pace for primary education across the East of England shaping strategy, accelerating school improvement, and building the conditions for excellence at scale.

If you're a proven Headteacher and system leader who thrives on ambition, influence and ethical leadership, this role gives you the platform and autonomy to make durable change: guiding practice across multiple schools, developing exceptional people, and aligning innovation with impact.

The role will primarily serve schools in the Haverhill hub and neighbouring communities within 10 miles.

Join a values-led trust where collaboration is real, challenge is welcomed, and the bar is set high for you, for our teams, and for the pupils we serve.

You will collaborate closely with the Executive Director of Education, fellow Directors of Education across our Primary, Secondary and Special phases, and wider senior trust leaders to drive excellence, serving as link director for a subset of our 26 primary schools.

Beyond school improvement, you will play a pivotal role in influencing the strategic direction of a dynamic and expanding Trust of 40 schools.

Our vision is bold: to deliver top-quartile performance by 2028, underpinned by ethical leadership, innovation, and a culture of collaboration.

Qualifications

• a proven track record as a Primary Headteacher, ideally with experience in a MAT or leading across multiple schools
• a deep understanding of outstanding primary practice delivering sustained excellent outcomes
• strategic vision and the ability to influence at the highest level
• creativity and innovation to drive forward our internationally recognised curriculum (CUSP)
• the skills to be a collaborative leader who inspires others and builds strong relationships with a deep commitment to serving our most vulnerable pupils.

Why Join Us?

• Join a high-performing leadership team driving educational excellence and delivering transformative outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
• Work closely with executive colleagues to set strategy, with inclusion at its heart and deliver great outcomes for all pupils.
• Influence practice across multiple schools and help create a culture of excellence through leaders across a network of schools.
• Enjoy a role where ambition, pace, and ethical leadership are at the heart of everything we do.

About Unity Schools Partnership

We are a forward-thinking Multi Academy Trust committed to improving outcomes for all pupils. Our work is characterised by ambition, innovation, and collaboration, and we believe remarkable change is possible.

For More Information

Please read the Job Description (pdf).

How to Apply

Please complete an application by visiting our recruitment website.

Closing Date

9am, 23 January 2026

Interview Date

29 January 2026

Please note we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

In line with safer recruitment, we are unable to accept CVs. Failure to complete an application form satisfactorily may result in not being shortlisted for the post.

Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks. We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.

We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from under-represented groups. Flexible working options, including part-time and job-share, are available.

Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required.

About the Team

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

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