No child and no school is left behind

Due to the forthcoming retirement of our CEO, The Sigma Trust seeks a committed and passionate CEO to embrace our Vision, Values and Ethos and build on our strong foundations already in place. Our new CEO will provide inspirational, strategic and professional leadership which will ensure the continuing development and success of the Trust and its academies as places of transformational learning with a reputation for high standards across all aspects of its work.

The Sigma Trust is a local partnership of academies in North East Essex. The Trust was formally established in September 2016 and has grown to become one of the largest multi-academy trusts working solely within North East Essex. We believe in the power of collaboration to unlock every child's potential. Our network of 12 academies in North East Essex fosters a supportive learning environment where curiosity thrives and resilience is built. We consist of eight secondary schools, one primary, two junior schools, an infant and nursery school and an Initial Teacher Training Scheme.

All schools are geographically close enough to provide the necessary support and challenge to take all academies to the next level. We have a vision and values that aims to ensure that no school and no child is left behind. The Greek letter, Sigma (Σ), is used in Mathematics and IT to denote "the sum of" hence its adoption as our name and our tagline “Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts”.

The Sigma Trust now consists of over 11,500 pupils, approximately 1,700 staff and an annual income in excess of £80 million. Our initial teacher training scheme, Advance Teacher Training delivering the Ambition Institute ITT programme, trains approximately 60 primary and secondary trainees each year. The size of the Trust allows extensive joint working to take place and provides huge opportunities for staff and students alike.

The CEO will be responsible for the improvement of educational standards, equality of access, achievement for all and effective use of resources across the academies. The CEO will seek to further develop and deliver the vision and the values of the Trust to ensure our children have the very best learning and teaching experience.

The CEO will shape the evolution of the Trust as it seeks to build on its initial successes in bringing schools together to address disadvantages and to achieve outstanding outcomes for all pupils. The CEO will explore local growth opportunities in both the primary and secondary sectors.

The successful candidate will possess:

• A strong track record in successful leadership of a school or MAT, including the delivery of an outstanding education for pupils whilst providing excellent development opportunities for staff.
• Strategic leadership credibility, with the ability to engage and lead an organisation in a way that is authentic, collaborative, and robust.
• Demonstrable experience and understanding of financial management and operational systems to ensure sustainability at school and trust levels.
• A proven ability to work with the Board of Trustees, Local Governance Committees, Headteachers and others to continue to deliver the Trust’s vision whilst demonstrating commitment to our values.
• A passion for education and the role our schools play in challenging and improving the opportunities and outcomes for our pupils.
• The ability to network and engage at a local and national level for the benefit of the Trust.

The role provides a very real opportunity to lead the strategic direction of our Trust. The new CEO will be supported by a strong, committed Central Team, Board of Trustees and Members, whilst at school level we have a strong governance structure and highly skilled Headteachers.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 26^th February at 00:00 GMT

Interviews:

• Longlisted candidates will be invited for interview with Perrett Laver during the weeks commencing 3^rd March and 10^th March 2025.
• The shortlist of candidates will be selected in the week commencing 17^th March 2025, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a first-round interview with The Sigma Trust on Thursday 20^th March 2025.
• A smaller group of finalist candidates will attend a final selection process with the Trust on Friday 21^st March 2025.

How to apply:

Applicants should complete and submit the Trust application form, fully addressing the competencies outlined in the job description and person specification and outlining their interest in The Sigma Trust.  The application form is available through the APPLY button. 

The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with.  As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision ‘To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts’, where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.

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