Chief Executive Officer – Hollingworth Learning Trust
What if the best thing you could do for education was to stop doing things the way they have always been done?
Following the retirement of our founding CEO, Hollingworth Learning Trust is looking for a visionary, inspirational leader — not simply to manage what we have built, but to shape our next chapter with courage, energy, and imagination.
Our Ethos: People First. Academies Second. Trust Third. We believe that great education starts with great people.
Our core philosophy is simple: providing the very best education in an environment that supports, values, and recognises our staff. We believe in earned autonomy, accountability that improves practice rather than creating bureaucracy, and a central team that exists solely to support our academies.
The Opportunity: Over the next three years, we are growing from three academies towards eight—but expansion is not our ambition; better education is.
As CEO, you will:
- Create the conditions where our people do their best work.
- Balance strategic and financial discipline with genuine, empowering leadership.
- Guide our growth while preserving the unique identity and excellence of each school.
About You: You are an accomplished educational leader defined by curiosity, courage, and sound judgment. You understand that organisational culture is what people experience every day, not just words in a handbook. You can see the broad strategic picture without losing sight of the individual child, bringing the wisdom to know when leadership means stepping forward—and when it means getting out of the way.
The future isn't written yet. Help us write it.
How to Apply: To download the CEO Recruitment Pack and an application form, please visit our dedicated recruitment microsite: www.bepartofhollingworthlearningtrust.co.uk
- Closing Date: 9:00am on Tuesday 6th October 2026
- Confidential Enquiries / Visits: Email ceorecruitment@hltrust.co.uk or call 01706 292828
Other Information
Hollingworth Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; the successful
candidate will undergo an enhanced DBS check and pre-employment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe
in Education (including online searches for shortlisted candidates). We particularly welcome applicants from
under-represented groups across ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.