Director of Education

About Pontefract Academies Trust    

Pontefract Academies Trust is a cross phase Multi-Academy Trust comprising of nine schools: seven primaries and two 11-16 secondary schools. Our mission is running high quality, high achieving schools that give our children and young people the chance in life they deserve. The Trust is renowned for its commitment to excellence and has achieved remarkable success. 

About the role 

The Director of Education is a new role within the Pontefract Academies Trust family of schools. It presents an exciting opportunity to build on the strong foundations and current practices within the Trust and help shape the educational delivery across our schools over the medium to long term. There is scope for our 4-16 offer to progress further as we navigate through external challenges and ensure our locality-based hub of schools delivers for our communities. 

You will appreciate and develop a strong understanding of the local knowledge and context of our schools. Additionally, you will believe in a model where common approaches are delivered to a high standard as a minimum. This way, we know that our schools have the foundational pillars in place to secure high quality everyday provision. Beyond this we expect our school leaders to innovate - this is what we feel the best people want to do! 

What can we offer you? 

We’re passionate about employee benefits at Pontefract Academies Trust, offering the following as standard to all:   

• Exciting career and leadership pathways supported by outstanding CPD opportunities 
• EveryDay Development (EDD) Framework, including goals that are personal and flexible and professional development days to self-reflect and invest in personal development to aid staff engagement, boost wellbeing and enhance employee skills 
• Energise and Engage Weeks throughout the year, where no meetings take place. These dedicated weeks prioritise personal professional development, support work-life balance, and allow for an early finish on designated days 
• Generous employer pension (Teachers Pension). 
• Laptop 
• Fantastic family friendly policies with a focus on employee work/life balance.   
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Blue Light Card 
• Discounted gym membership   
• Free eyecare via Specsavers  
• Childcare vouchers  
• Employee wellbeing programme (including physiotherapy, personal or professional concerns on legal, health, finance, wellbeing, and other matters) 
• Discounts at numerous retailers including O2 
• Free flu vaccinations 

Next steps 

Please see the attached candidate pack for the full job description and for further information about Pontefract Academies Trust.   

To discuss the role further or to discuss the process for making an application, please contact Martin Blair, Director at Hays Leadership. 

Telephone: 07736 791138 

Email: Martin.Blair@hays.com 

Key Dates 

Closing date: Monday 10th March 2025 at 10:00am  

Interview date: Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March 2025  

We are an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from everyone.    

The Pontefract Academies Trust is wholly committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people whilst promoting their welfare.    

Any offer of employment will be subject to receipt of a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure and pre-employment checks (including online checks). Shortlisted applicants will also be asked to provide a self-declaration form.