The Derby Diocesan Academy Trust

For every child and young person to embrace “life in all its fullness” (John 10:10)

Welcome from the Chair of Trustees

Dear applicant,

Thank you for your interest in the role of Chief Executive Officer of DDAT. I hope this pack gives you a real sense of who we are, and I would be delighted to hear from you.

You are considering this role at an important moment for us. Our Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sarah Clark, has decided to retire and will leave the Trust at the end of February 2027. Sarah’s excellent leadership, commitment and dedicated service have made a significant contribution to our schools, colleagues and wider community, and we are enormously grateful to her. Her retirement is a natural point of transition, and the Trust’s vision and aims remain unchanged.

That vision is to build a better future for all within our academies, who in turn will positively impact their communities. DDAT was established in 2014 for schools choosing to become an academy, as well as for those who found themselves in need of a sponsor. Today our family of Church and non-Church schools works together to:

Provide children with excellent educational provision
Rapidly improve underperforming schools
Develop effective school-to-school support
Build strong relationships and promote work with external partners
Raise aspirations and tackle disadvantage so that no pupil is failed by their school

DDAT academies demonstrate their distinctiveness by providing an inspirational and holistic education that enables all children and staff to develop and achieve their full potential.

We are a Church of England organisation underpinned by a distinct Christian vision and values. Our schools are not faith schools for the faithful, but Church schools for the community.

We are looking for a leader who will build on the strong foundations Sarah leaves and carry this work forward with us.

Thank you again for your interest. We look forward to welcoming your application.

Sarah Charles

Chair of Trustees, DDAT

Find out more

To arrange an informal, confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Jenna Everett on 01744 634654 or email jenna@satiseducation.co.uk