Tallented has been engaged to lead a search for a Director of Educational Excellence serves as the primary architect for academic standards and inclusive practice across our three-school Trust. This executive leadership role requires a visionary professional capable of synthesizing high-level strategy with the practical realities of the classroom. Operating within the unique educational landscape of Oxford, the successful candidate will work to ensure that every pupil, regardless of their starting point, receives an education that is both rigorous and deeply supportive. You will be responsible for the overarching quality of education, driving a culture of continuous improvement that balances robust accountability with professional empathy.

A significant focus of this role is the strategic transformation of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. We believe that true educational excellence is measured by the progress of our most vulnerable learners. As such, you will lead the development of a Trust-wide inclusion strategy that moves beyond mere statutory compliance. By conducting rigorous audits and working alongside school-based SENCos, you will ensure that "Quality First Teaching" is not just a phrase, but a lived reality in every lesson. Your expertise will be vital in streamlining EHCP processes and optimizing the use of high-needs funding to create measurable shifts in student outcomes.

Beyond SEND, you will cultivate a "Community of Practice" across our schools to break down institutional silos. This involves designing a sophisticated professional development framework that leverages evidence-based research and local partnerships with Oxford’s world-class academic institutions. You will provide the essential bridge between the Trust’s strategic goals and the Headteachers’ daily operations, offering the expert challenge and coaching necessary to elevate teaching standards. Your leadership will ensure that our curriculum remains ambitious, adaptive, and accessible to all.

The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record of senior leadership with a clear history of improving pupil outcomes. Deep knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and the ability to influence diverse stakeholders are essential. We are looking for a leader who is as comfortable analyzing complex data sets as they are mentoring a teacher on adaptive delivery. In return, we offer the opportunity to shape a critical role within an agile, forward-thinking MAT that is committed to making a lasting impact on the Oxford community.

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