We are seeking a Director of Secondary to join Turner Schools, a growing multi-academy Trust which currently comprises eight schools in the Canterbury, Folkestone and Dover districts. You will be joining the Trust at an exciting time as we move through a period of growth and development, including the opening of a primary free school in 2026.
* Are you an experienced leader with a background in leading secondary schools who likes a challenge?
* Do you have a track record of raising outcomes for pupils, especially those with additional barriers?
* Are you committed to working collaboratively with other school leaders to improve provision, teaching and learning?
* Do you know what it takes to deliver a great education?
We are a Trust that predominantly serves secondaries in deprived coastal communities and are looking for people to join us on our journey to transform children’s futures, empower families and strengthen communities.
You will be an integral part of the Trust’s executive leadership team and will play a key role in improving the outcomes for our pupils through developing leadership capacity. The role will focus on school improvement and will involve working with our CEO, secondary principals and other senior leaders to deliver high-quality education provision through robust and ambitious teaching and improvement work. The successful candidate will have the motivation and desire to develop pupil's achievements within a Trust who are focused and determined to ensure that all pupils make exceptional progress. You will be committed to your own professional development, have strong, up to date school improvement knowledge and be committed to ensuring that all our schools deliver a great education. We actively welcome applications from female leaders and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
The successful candidate will be someone who:
* Is able to demonstrate they are an excellent leader with a track record of leading a secondary school or schools through positive change.
* Is able to inspire staff through the delivery of engaging, creative and challenging professional development
* Is able to support our leaders to reach their full potential
* Understands what makes for a high quality curriculum, giving schools the structure to succeed
* Has a desire to be part of a growing and exciting MAT who are committed to improving outcomes for all pupils
* We are particularly interested in people who have comprehensive experience and are ambitious to make a difference to coastal communities
* We are also especially interested in applications from women and/or those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Benefits of Working for Turner Schools:
We care about our staff's personal and professional wellbeing and are pleased to offer the following benefits:
* Fully funded access to Benenden Healthcare
* Outstanding professional development through our Turner Institute, including access to trust leadership programmes
* Membership for all ECT, teaching and leadership staff to the Chartered College of Teaching
* Regular wellbeing and social activities
* Counselling and mental wellbeing support
* Access to Mental Health First Aiders
* Cycle to work scheme
* Innovation Awards that encourage staff to put forward innovative ideas to make a difference to children’s experiences
* Trust Vision and Values awards to recognise staff contribution
* Free parking on all our sites with access to E chargers
Our staff tell us that the Trust is a supportive and motivational place to work, with real attention paid to staff wellbeing, workload and professional development. Further information about our Trust can be found on our website:
We are inviting interested candidates to visit the Trust in person and to meet with our CEO prior to the selection process taking place.
Please contact Caroline Dominguez to arrange your visit - Caroline.dominguez@turnerschools.com or 01304 272469
Dates available:
Wednesday 5th February between 1pm and 3pm
Or
Thursday 13th February between 9am and 11am
Information about the Trust
Turner Schools is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) with eight schools in Canterbury, Dover and Folkestone:-
Dover Christ Church Academy, Chartham Primary School, Folkestone Primary, Folkestone Academy, Morehall Primary, Martello Primary, St Stephens Infant School, Turner Free School.
We provide education through pre-school, primary, secondary and on to sixth form. Each academy is individual and responds to the needs of its local community to provide the best possible opportunity for its young people. We promote high academic standards, while ensuring crucial opportunities for personal and emotional development.
Turner Schools is committed to Transforming children’s futures…Empowering children’s futures…Strengthening communities.
To help us achieve this, Turner Staff ‘Walk the Turner Talk’
They will:
• Speak and act with care: always show compassion and respect for children.
• Act boldly: be ambitious for yourself and the children and young people we serve.
• Learn from adversity: be evaluative, thoughtful and reflective.
• Challenge convention: be curious, welcome difference and unfamiliar thinking.
• Connect with others: support colleagues, parents and pupils to make a great team. • Use your voice: offer different views and ask questions.
• Do what it takes: be relentless in pursuing the best for children.
• Ask for support: be open and honest when plans go awry.
• Don’t give up: be calm, resilient and measured when managing challenges.
Turner Schools is committed to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. It expects all staff and volunteers to share this same commitment. Any appointment is subject to satisfactory recruitment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Two references are required prior to commencement of employment. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Turner Schools is committed to treating all people equally and with respect, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation or social economic background. We therefore welcome applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds as we are dedicated to creating and sustaining a workplace that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils.
For further information on Turner Schools, please visit