Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust
Chief Executive Officer
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Chief Executive Officer
Salary: Competitive
Location: Sutton
Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (OHCAT) is a family of specialist academies supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. The Trust operates 13 special schools, alongside integrated support services including therapy and nursing, and a central team covering HR, Finance, IT and Estates.
Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (OHCAT) was established under the sponsorship of Orchard Hill College (OHC), a specialist further education provider with a long-standing reputation for excellence in supporting learners with severe, profound, and complex needs. This founding relationship has shaped the Trust’s development from the outset, embedding a shared commitment to high-quality provision, specialist expertise, and a deep understanding of how to support some of the most vulnerable young people in the education system.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Since its inception, OHCAT has grown into a significant Multi-Academy Trust serving over 2,000 learners with special educational needs and disabilities across London, Surrey, Sussex, and Berkshire. Pupils present with a wide range of needs, including autism, speech, language and communication difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and complex physical and learning disabilities.
As both organisations have matured and expanded, governance and leadership arrangements are evolving to reflect their respective scale and ambitions, with a move toward dedicated executive leadership for each, underpinned by a formal partnership agreement that will sustain the collaboration, shared learning, and mutual support that have defined their relationship.
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will provide clear, values-led leadership, setting strategic direction, ensuring strong outcomes for learners, and maintaining financial and organisational sustainability. The role will lead the development of a new strategy, shape the Trust’s operating model and strengthen its external profile through effective partnerships and sector engagement. The incoming OHCAT CEO will lead a Trust that is established, well-supported, and confident in its identity — with a close and valued partner in Orchard Hill College.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
This is a pivotal moment. As OHCAT moves forward independently, there is a unique opportunity to sharpen its identity, enhance its influence and position it as a leading voice in SEND and inclusive education.
For further details, please visit our recruitment microsite: [Orchard Hill microsite](Orchard Hill microsite). For a confidential discussion, contact Anderson Quigley: Sophie Rees (sophie.rees@andersonquigley.com) or Paul Aristides (paul.aristides@andersonquigley.com).
Closing Date: 3 August 2026
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location