Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust
Regional Director of Education
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Regional Director of Education
Salary
£125,000 - £135,000 dependent on experience
Location
OHCAT Head Office, Sutton (SM1 1DA). The role requires regular travel across one designated geographical area:
- Berkshire, Hillingdon and Surrey
- Kingston, Merton and Wandsworth
- Sutton, Croydon and West Sussex
Working Pattern
Full Time, 36 hrs per week, 8.45am – 4.30pm M-Th, 8.45am – 4.15pm Fr
About the Role
Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust (OHC&AT) is a family of specialist education providers for pupils and students from nursery to further education. We operate across academies and college centres in London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. Supporting our academies and college, OHC&AT also operates learning support services, such as nursing and therapy, and a central business support team which includes HR, finance and IT.
Pupils and students within the OHC&AT family have a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. These include autistic spectrum disorder; speech, language and communication difficulties; social, emotional and mental health needs; profound and multiple learning disabilities; and physical disabilities including multi-sensory impairment and complex health conditions.
We are seeking an exceptional leader to join our team of three Regional Directors of Education. Each role will provide strategic leadership across a designated geographical area while also leading a Trust-wide strategic priority. Working in partnership with academy leaders, fellow Regional Directors and central teams, you will drive school improvement, strengthen collaboration and ensure every academy is supported to deliver high-quality, inclusive provision. Together, the three Regional Directors will lead the Trust-wide priorities of Integrated Services, Curriculum, Assessment and Transitions, and Outreach, working collaboratively to shape the future direction of education across OHCAT. These roles will report directly to the CEO.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership across a designated group of academies, supporting and challenging Principals to drive school improvement, raise educational standards and deliver outstanding outcomes for learners.
- Lead the development of high-quality, inclusive education, using data, quality assurance and curriculum innovation to ensure effective provision, sustainable improvement and equitable opportunities for all learners.
- Develop leadership capacity and organisational effectiveness, line managing and coaching Principals, supporting academy development, and ensuring alignment with the Trust's strategic priorities and improvement plans.
- Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with Local Authorities, education, health and community partners, representing the Trust and fostering collaborative approaches that improve outcomes for children and young people.
- Drive Trust-wide improvement and transformation, leading strategic initiatives, working collaboratively with central services and fellow Regional Directors, and championing a culture of excellence, innovation and continuous improvement across the Trust.
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Key Requirements
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with significant senior leadership experience in special education, specialist provision or SEND services, and a proven track record of securing school improvement and outstanding outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
- Demonstrable experience of leading and developing senior leaders, driving organisational change, and using performance, quality assurance and outcomes data to deliver sustainable improvement across schools or academies.
- Extensive knowledge of SEND legislation, safeguarding, school improvement and quality assurance, with a strong understanding of inclusive curriculum models, alternative provision and the statutory framework for education.
- Exceptional strategic leadership, communication and partnership skills, with the ability to influence, support and challenge leaders, build effective relationships with Local Authorities and external partners, and translate vision into impactful delivery.
- A collaborative, resilient and values-led leader with a strong commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and continuous improvement, who inspires confidence, builds high-performing teams and is passionate about improving the life chances of children and young people with SEND.
Rewards & Benefits
- Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment
- Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
- Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme and Free Virtual GP Appointments
- Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
- Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)
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About OHC&AT
Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.
It is an exciting time to be part of OHC&AT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.
We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
Application Process
Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.
Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.
To ensure a fair opportunity for all applicants, candidates who have applied for this position in the past 6 months will not be considered.
Closing Date
Sunday 8th November 2026
Interviews
Interviews will take place on: Wednesday 18th November 2026
To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.
Safeguarding Statement
Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. In line with the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education, the Trust will request and review references and carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates prior to interview as part of our safer recruitment process. Any concerns raised will be followed up with the applicant before a recruitment decision is made.
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