Director of Educational Excellence & Improvement - Full-time

Fortis Trust

• Ref:KCC-F87-4-L
• Posted:07/04/2026
• Pay:Negotiable, dependent upon experience
• Start Date:September 2026 or January 2027
• App Close Date:17/04/2026 at 23:45
• Interviews:27th April 2026

Advert

Salary: Negotiable, dependent upon experience
Start Date: September 2026 or January 2027
Closing Date: 17 April 2026
Interviews: 27th April 2026

Fortis Trust is seeking an exceptional Director of Educational Excellence & Improvement to provide strategic leadership for educational standards, teaching and learning, and sustained improvement across our academies and provisions.

The Role
As Director of Educational Excellence & Improvement, you will be the Trust’s strategic lead for educational standards and the quality of teaching and learning. As a key member of the Executive Team, you will champion the Fortis Framework for Excellent Practice and lead the implementation of the Trust’s Quality Assurance Framework, ensuring consistently high‑quality, inclusive education across all academies and provisions.

Working closely with the CEO and Principals, you will set ambitious priorities, evaluate impact, and secure sustained improvement through an effective balance of challenge, support and professional development.

The role deputises for the CEO when required, providing continuity of strategic leadership in line with Trust priorities and Board direction.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Quality Assurance and Improvement meetings with Principals, using robust evidence to support challenge and improvement.
• Establish and lead subject enhancement and development networks, fostering collaboration and sharing best practice.
• Oversee Trust‑wide INSET and professional development focused on improving teaching, learning and leadership.
• Support leaders to be Ofsted‑ready, acting as Ofsted Nominee where required.
• Work in partnership with the CEO to co‑lead the PTI Primary Hub.
• Oversee Careers Education and Continuing Professional Development, shaping staff career pathways across the Trust.
• Act as deputy to the CEO when required, representing the Trust with Trustees, regulators and partners, and ensuring continuity of performance, risk management and statutory compliance.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Degree‑level qualification and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Significant senior leadership experience with a sustained track record of school improvement and raising standards.
• Deep understanding of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment across phases.
• Experience of quality assurance and leading Ofsted preparation.
• High professional integrity, moral purpose and the ability to inspire and motivate others.

Desirable:

• Postgraduate qualification (e.g., NPQEL, Master’s).
• Experience of leadership within a Multi‑Academy Trust or system‑led improvement.
• Evidence of innovation and thought leadership in education.

How to Apply
Your personal statement (maximum two sides of A4) should clearly explain why you are the person we need, supported by verifiable evidence of your experience, skills and impact. Please include full contact details and two referees (one must be your current or most recent employer).

Send your application to louise.tombs@fortistrust.co.uk

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Marie Sweetlove-Smyth, CEO (marie.sweetlove@fortistrust.co.uk).

Fortis Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Information about the federation

Fortis Trust strives to provide high quality education as a result of strong partnerships between its academies, institutions and local partners. We support and assist schools in enhancing existing talents and strengths, ensuring all children achieve highly in their academic and personal development. Our curriculums are child-centred; tailored to the needs and aspirations of each partner school and their children.

Bradfields Academy is an outstanding Specialist SEND Academy, for children with learning needs and associated disabilities aged 4-19 years. Bradfields Academy has been recognised as a highly innovative and forward thinking academy involved in SEN educational development at a local and national level. Located in Walderslade, Kent and situated within easy reach of local transport.

Forward2Employment works alongside Fortis Trust to support young people, with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), in Medway, Kent and the South East to find permanent and purposeful employment.

We passionately believe that all young people should be given the opportunity to work in their local community, to feel valued and have a place in society.

We provide Supported Internships for young adults. Supported Internships are a structured study programme based primarily at a place of employment.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Lesley Harris
• Address:Bradfields Academy,
  Churchill Avenue,
  Chatham ,
  Chatham ,
  Kent,
  ME5 0LB
• Telephone: 01634 683990
• Email: lesley.harris@fortistrust.co.uk

Fax:

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Director of Educational Excellence & Improvement Job Description
• Fortis Pack