Chief Education Officer (CEO) Bedfordshire Schools Trust

Chief Executive Officer

Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST)

Salary: BEST-CEO Scale Pt 1-7, £155,000 to £172,000

Contract type: Full-time, permanent

Location: BEST House, Shefford

Responsible to: The Board of Trustees

Start date: April 2027, with a transition period from January 2027

Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) is seeking an exceptional leader to take forward and develop our Trust, ensuring that all children and young people enjoy an excellent education and are well prepared for adult life.

BEST is a multi-academy trust educating 8,000 children across 11 schools and five nurseries, from nursery age to advanced level study, with over 1,000 members of staff. Since forming in 2016, we have more than doubled in size, achieved Good or Outstanding Ofsted grades across all our nurseries and schools, and secured a strong financial footing, all underpinned by an ethos of inclusivity, integrity, openness and honesty.

Our new CEO will wholeheartedly embrace the vision, mission and values of the Trust, engaging and empowering the team to deliver excellent outcomes and provision across all our schools. You will have a strong track record of success in developing and delivering strategic school improvement through a highly collaborative approach, with excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills.

Our ideal candidate will have the skills and experience to identify, nurture and co-ordinate the talent across our schools showing a commitment to developing people and building capacity.

You will have a strong understanding of the efficient and effective use of resources including open and transparent strategic financial planning and decision making to ensure our Trust priorities can be achieved.

You will work with our talented Executive Team, supported and challenged by a committed and skilled Trust Board, to ensure that BEST continues to grow and develop and be recognised as a Trust of choice.

The closing date for applications is: Monday 5th October at 9.00am

Shortlisting will take place: w/c Monday 5th October

Interviews will take place on: Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th October 2026

BEST is an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks and references, including enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.

Strictly no agencies.