Executive Opportunities with
Forward Education Trust

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in applying for one of our two leadership posts that we are recruiting for at the Forward Education Trust (FET).

FET became a Trust in 2017, growing out of a Federation Partnership and an executive headship. The Trust currently has six schools, with a seventh due to open in the Autumn of 2023. We are a MAT that only caters for children with Special Educational Needs who are placed by local authorities. All pupils have an EHCP and face challenges around their learning and behaviour, some have very complex medical conditions. It is important to note that each school is very different from the others in their provision and the pupils they cater for. 

We are keen to develop our schools emphasising that whilst they are part of a Trust specialising in special needs, they have their own identities, needs and ambitions for their particular cohorts of children. To this end, we are working to better define the role of the Trust and expand on the freedoms and independence of the schools in their delivery of the best education possible for their pupils.

FET has the potential to achieve Outstanding across all of our schools; we are not there yet and closing the gap is of the highest priority for the successful candidates. We have a clear vision and purpose that focuses us on our area of strength, namely provision for children with special educational needs. We believe we are in a good position to fulfil the Government’s aims as described in their new Green Paper on special needs education. We are now looking for two Trust leaders who will enable the schools to develop their very individual offers whilst growing the rationale and benefits of being part of the FET MAT. Our finances are strong, and these new leaders will be expected to develop education, growth and investment strategies that we can and should afford to improve the life chances of our pupils and for widening the provision for children with special educational needs in the West Midlands.

Our mantra is oft quoted as “it’s all about getting it right for the children”. There is nothing wrong with that aim, but it misses a really important second aim, “our staff and leaders are the most important asset of the Trust”. Covid has made delivering against both aims difficult, but my colleague Trustees and I believe it is the second aim that we want our new Leaders to prioritise because good, well developed and supported staff and leaders will absolutely ensure we can consistently deliver the best learning experiences for our pupils.

We are looking to recruit an inspirational leader as Chief Executive who keeps adding to and growing our school and HO leadership talent, who can hold them to account whilst developing the right balance of school individuality and single Trust focus. The right CEO need not be a life-long educationalist, but should have experience and a strong empathy for education and special needs children.

Our Education Director will also be the FET Deputy CEO. The ideal candidate for this appointment will be someone with a strong teaching and school leadership background with significant experience in special needs education. This individual will be the primary leader of the Head Teachers with responsibility in the Trust SLT for developing our school leadership talent and achieving the educational standards and performance we seek.

Our plan is to run the appointment of the CEO first so that the successful candidate for the CEO role will be able to have some influence on the Deputy CEO appointment.

I have offered Martin Blair, our Recruiter from Hays, the opportunity to set up individual telephone or video conference calls with me to ask questions or find out more to enable you to put forward your best possible application if you are interested.

I look forward to receiving your application.

Regards,

David Lane

Chair of Trustees

About Forward Education Trust

Forward Education Trust is a specialist SEND Multi Academy Trust, established in March 2017 when the federation of Brays School, then on two sites at Sheldon and Tile Cross, and The Bridge School academised. When the Trust was formed Hallmoor School joined as a sponsored school.

The Trust has expanded and changed recently. On 1st September 2021, Brays School was de-amalgamated when the Sheldon site retained the Brays name and a new school called Leycroft Academy was established on the Tile Cross site. In addition, the former Skilts school was relocated by Birmingham City Council to a new site called Lea Hall Academy as a sponsor led academy joining FET on 1st September 2021.

Finally, to bring us to where we are now, High Point Academy (Secondary) was developed as a free school by the DfE and opened as an academy on 1st September 2021.

So, FET is now a Trust of 6 special schools across all age ranges, covering the widest spectrum of Special Educational Needs students. With close to 750 students and nearly 400 staff, FET is a strong force in special education in Birmingham and now Sandwell.

Future plans for FET include a new school in Solihull to be called The Heights, which is being developed in conjunction with Solihull Council and is planned to open September 2023. We have plans for future growth within our catchment areas and will remain a specialist SEND Trust.

Vision, Ethos and Values

Vision

To ensure the children in our schools receive the best possible education, care and life chances by being the West Midlands bespoke provider of choice for children with high levels of special educational needs.

Ethos

Moving forward together, striving for and achieving opportunities to improve outcomes and provide stability and success for all.

Values

Opportunities

How To Apply

To explore either opportunity further please contact Martin Blair at Hays Leadership.

M: 07736791138

E: martin.blair@hays.com