Chief Executive Officer Chester Diocesan Learning Trust

Chief Executive Officer Chester Diocesan Learning Trust Chester Diocesan Learning Trust (CDLT) is seeking to appoint its first permanent, values-driven Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who will be an inspiring Christian leader, to provide strategic leadership to our growing family of schools.

• Location: Warrington, WA4 4GE
• Closing date: 9 a.m. Friday 16th January 2026

As a newly established Trust, this appointment presents a distinctive opportunity to shape educational excellence, uphold and advance our Christian vision, and ensure that every child within the Trust is enabled to fulfil their potential.

CDLT is entering an exciting period of strategic development. As the executive leader of the Trust, the CEO will drive continued educational improvement, ensure strong organisational stewardship and champion CDLT's mission across our communities.

You will build on the strong foundations laid by our trustees and interim executive team and work to shape the direction of our Trust. We are rooted in our Christian Vision:

Saint Paul teaches, 'the body is not made up of one part but of many.'

Chester Diocesan Learning Trust recognises and nurtures the unique gifts, skills and talents within our whole community.

We will empower adults and children to grow in character and mind, shaping a better future.

The CEO will work with our headteachers to drive continued school improvement, develop leaders, ensure financial sustainability and guide the Trust's growth strategy.

We are looking for a credible education leader with a deep commitment to our Christian vision, who recognises what an excellent Christian education looks like, and with proven strategic capability and the ability to inspire and unite others behind a compelling plan for the future.

Who we are CDLT is built on a vision of collaboration and inclusion. We serve a diverse range of schools, each with its own strengths, culture and community identity, while fostering a shared purpose and sense of belonging across the Trust.

Our schools are supported by an executive team that values staff wellbeing, professional growth, and innovation. Leaders work together in a culture of trust, mutual respect, and continuous improvement. The Trust encourages peer to peer support, school to school and MAT to MAT collaboration, and research informed approaches to education.

CDLT is born out of our Diocese, which has been delivering education for over 200 years. We work closely with the Chester Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) to secure governance that is both supportive and challenging, ensuring resources are used effectively, outcomes for pupils are excellent, and the distinctiveness of church schools is preserved. Our vision recognises the unique gifts of every school, staff member, and child, aiming to help all flourish within a sustainable, forward looking organisation that adds value to every school.

CDLT is the second Diocesan Multi Academy Trust established by the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE), and its success is closely connected to productive collaboration across the Diocesan family. It is therefore essential that CDLT works in close and purposeful partnership with Chester Diocesan Academies Trust (CDAT). Together, the two Trusts play a vital role in advancing the DBE's mission, sharing expertise, aligning strategic priorities, and ensuring that Church of England education across the Diocese remains strong, coherent, and rooted in Christianity.

About the role The CEO will be our strategic leader and Accounting Officer for the Trust, working with the board to shape our vision, culture and long term development. The CEO will implement the strategic direction set by the Trust Board, ensuring decisions are rooted in the Trust's Christian vision and unwavering commitment to the CDLT family.

As a new and growing Multi Academy Trust, a driver for the new CEO will be to build a level of alignment between our schools that allows for them to build on strong foundations and continue school improvement. This means developing and maintaining a collaborative, forward looking approach to achieving high standards; empowering and supporting Headteachers; and nurturing a culture where excellent teaching, confident leadership and professional development can thrive.

The CEO will lead the Trust's executive team, ensuring effective financial management, strong organisational systems and transparent governance. They will be responsible for building leadership capacity across the Trust, advancing a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and shared purpose. The new CEO will be a unifying presence across the Trust, celebrating the individuality of each school while fostering a shared vision and identity. Building strong relationships across the Trust and externally, the CEO will model ethical leadership rooted in their Christian faith.

As the public face of the Trust, the CEO will build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Diocese of Chester, local authorities, DfE, other MATs and education providers, parents, parishes and the wider community. They will deliver the Trust's growth strategy, ensuring that any expansion enhances educational quality and strengthens the Trust's identity and long term sustainability.

This is a demanding and rewarding role requiring exceptional leadership, emotional intelligence and a deep passion for education. The successful candidate will be an experienced senior leader who can think strategically, act decisively and inspire confidence at every level. They will bring a strong moral compass, clarity of purpose and the drive to lead our Trust forward.

Who we are looking for We are seeking a Christian leader with the strategic capability, educational understanding and personal integrity to lead CDLT into its next chapter.

The successful candidate will bring a track record of successful leadership, whether as a CEO, Headteacher, Executive Head, senior Trust leader or equivalent, and will demonstrate the vision and resilience required for a system leadership role.

The CEO will be someone who is fair, supportive, and visionary, able to both challenge and empower school leaders. They will be deeply child centred, appreciating the unique strengths and cultures of each school, while fostering a shared purpose across the Trust.

The CEO will be approachable, calm, and considerate, communicating clearly and responding in a timely manner. They will have an understanding of the demands faced by staff and governors and act as a trusted critical friend, supporting Headteachers to innovate, grow, and flourish.

We are seeking a visionary leader with a strong educational background. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in driving school improvement, shaping high quality teaching and learning, and supporting leaders and staff to deliver excellent outcomes for all pupils. They will combine strategic insight with a deep understanding of effective pedagogy to ensure every school in the Trust thrives.

The CEO will be committed to the holistic development of children and will understand the ingredients of high quality school improvement. This includes the ability to support and challenge school leaders, to drive standards, and to embed a culture of professional excellence rooted in collaboration and shared values.

The CEO will bring a comprehensive and well established expertise in safeguarding, curriculum, pedagogy and leadership development.

Financial and organisational acumen is essential. We are seeking a leader able to oversee a complex organisation, balancing risk, ensuring sustainability and aligning resources to Trust priorities. The CEO will understand the strategic use of data, the importance of transparent governance and the need for effective systems that enable schools to focus on teaching and learning.

The successful candidate will be an exceptional communicator and relationship builder. The CEO must engage confidently with the Trust Board, Diocese, local authorities, the DfE, MATs and a wide range of community stakeholders. They will be able to represent the Trust with authenticity and credibility while maintaining a strong connection to the daily realities of schools.

Above all, the CEO will bring a values driven approach grounded in the Christian vision of the Trust. All candidates must be approved by the Diocese and demonstrate full respect for the Church articles that shape and sustain our Trust's ethos.

If you are a strategic, compassionate and inspiring leader who is ready to make a significant difference across a growing family of schools, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Peridot Partners and Chester Diocesan Learning Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.

Please ensure that your application is emailed to , inserting "Application: Chester Diocesan Learning Trust - CEO" into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2 3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
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