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Academies Director - Full-time

Leigh Academies Trust

  • Ref:KCC-F63-50-L
  • Posted:06/02/2026
  • Pay:High + Performance Bonus + Private Healthcare
  • Start Date:September 2026
  • App Close Date:02/03/2026 at 09:00
  • Interviews:Thursday 5th March and Friday 6th March 2026

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Our mission is to ensure the best start in life possible for the young people in our academies and in doing so make the world a better place. We are now seeking an Academies Director to oversee a group of 8-12 geographically organised and cross-phase academies on behalf of the Trust to ensure strong educational outcomes for all pupils. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for the right candidate with a commitment to system-wide leadership.

Our ideal candidate will:

  • Be an outstanding and inspirational leader (Principal, Executive Principal or MAT central team senior executive);
  • Have a proven track record of success in raising pupil attainment;
  • Be organised, energetic and passionate about working cross-Trust;
  • Be committed to the LAT ethos of high expectations;
  • Have the resolve to make a real difference to the lives of learners;
  • Be a committed team player.

In return, you will receive:

  • A highly competitive salary which reflects your experience and expertise as a senior leader;
  • Excellent opportunities to develop your leadership skills and your overall career within a long-established, geographically organised, successful and well-respected multi-academy trust with all academies based within easy range in the South East of England.

To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack by clicking here, which outlines the full role responsibilities and person specification. This will guide you in preparing a strong application and understanding what we’re looking for.

 

Naturally, we are seeking to appoint the best possible candidate and therefore the application process will reflect our desire to undertake all necessary measures to achieve this.

Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation with our CEO, Simon Beamish, about this role can arrange for a telephone or video call. Those wishing to do so should contact Emma Johnson (emma.johnson@latrust.org.uk) in the first instance.

Closing date: Monday 2nd March 2026 (9am)
Shortlisting date: Monday 2nd March (PM)
Interview date: Thursday 5th March and Friday 6th March 2026
 

Information about the trust

Leigh Academies Trust is one of the country’s largest and most-established multi-academy trusts operating across Kent, Medway and South East London. It contains primary, secondary and special academies and is highly inclusive and successful. Our mission is to deliver “education for a better world” by ensuring that young people in our academies have an excellent start in life regardless of their background or ability.

The Trust exists to support and assist schools to build upon their existing strengths and to help them achieve rapid educational transformation. It has significant experience in running schools, and today includes both sponsored academies and schools which have chosen to convert to Academy status.

In addition to providing high-quality educational opportunities for all of our children, aged from 2 months to 19 years, and their families, we are proud to provide many opportunities for lifelong learning. These are delivered through the organisations under our Leigh Institute umbrella. One of these is the Kent and Medway Maths Hub, providing access to the National Maths Hub programmes to over 80% of the schools in Kent and Medway over our ten year designation. Thames Gateway Teaching School Hub, ConnectED Hub Apprenticeships and Kent and Medway Training (KMT), which delivers routes into teaching, sit alongside the Maths Hub to form our comprehensive offer.

We warmly welcome you to Leigh Academies Trust and look forward to sharing with you our passion for transforming lives and shaping communities through great education.

Job Contact Information

  • Name:Holly Neve
  • Address:LAT Head Office,
    Carnation Road,
    Strood,
    Rochester,
    Kent,
    ME2 2SX
  • Telephone: 01634 412 258
  • Email: Joinus@LATrust.org.uk

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Documents

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We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students. You are advised that this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and therefore this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Please be aware that schools are also required to undertake online recruitment checks on shortlisted candidates under changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education.