STEP Academy Trust
Deputy Director
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Job Description
STEP Institute of Education
Start date: 1st January 2027
Passion – Urgency – Positivity – Aspiration – Commitment
Shape the future of teacher development, curriculum excellence and school improvement and teacher development across a growing Trust and beyond.
STEP Academy Trust is an exciting, dynamic place to work that can offer great opportunities to the right candidate. If you are ready to take the next step in your career, join us as we ‘Strive Together for Excellence in Partnership’.
This is an exceptional and exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader to join the STEP Institute of Education as Deputy Director at a pivotal moment in its development. Working alongside the Director, you will play a leading role in shaping the strategic direction of the Institute and ensuring it is recognised as a sector-leading source of expertise in curriculum, pedagogy, professional development and school improvement.
As STEP Academy Trust enters an exciting period of growth, including expansion into new phases of education, you will play a key role in driving teacher and leadership development, supporting school improvement and building partnerships across the wider education sector.
About The Role
The Institute's work is delivered through three key strands:
- Teaching School Hub
- Curriculum Hub
- Professional Support Hub
You will help lead strategic growth, oversee high-quality professional development programmes, and contribute to the Trust's wider educational vision and improvement agenda.
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About You
We are seeking an accomplished educational leader with significant senior leadership experience and a proven track record of improving outcomes beyond their own setting. You may currently be a Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or Trust leader with expertise in curriculum, teaching and learning, professional development or school improvement.
You Will Bring
- Strong senior leadership experience in a school or trust.
- Expertise in curriculum, teacher development and educational improvement.
- Experience designing and delivering professional development programmes.
- Excellent partnership and stakeholder engagement skills.
- A commitment to evidence-informed practice and educational excellence.
The Successful Candidate Must
- Demonstrate a history of strategic leadership, particularly in relation to the leadership of people, curriculum and outcomes
- Exhibit a fervor for enhancing educational standards and providing high quality leadership by motivating others
- Demonstrate a commitment to growing your own leadership behaviours and the ability to learn from others
- Forge robust partnerships with staff, parents and the wider community, steering transformative change and shaping the future direction of the academies they lead
- Be able to manage time and resources efficiently and effectively in order to ensure excellent leadership in both academies
- Commitment to working as part of a wider team and an understanding and support of the Trust wide priorities and direction.
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For further information please contact Cheryl Gilbert (Recruitment Manager) for more information – cheryl.gilbert@stepacademytrust.org
The Job Description and Person Specification gives a fuller outline of the duties involved and can be downloaded from the website. Completed supporting statements should be written in line with the person specification.
Commitment to Safeguarding
STEP Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Closing date: Wednesday 7th October 2026
Interviews: Wednesday 14th October 2026
STEP Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. STEP Academy Trust believes that its workforce should reflect the local community and that all groups within the community should have equal access to the Trust’s employment opportunities.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. Applicants must hold the right to work in the UK.
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