Deputy CEO Vacancy
Developing Leaders & Achievers for the future
Closing date: 8 am, Monday 12th October
Welcome from
the CEO
Dear Applicant
Thank you for your interest in the newly created role of Deputy CEO at Christopher Nieper Trust at this exciting and significant point in our development.
Since we started on our journey in September 2016, we have grown into a dynamic, forward thinking and agile community Trust with a focus on enhancing the life chances and employability skills and attributes of our students. We are about to become a Trust of five schools (one secondary and four Primary schools), with the likelihood that we will continue to grow over the next few years. The Deputy CEO role is a new position to consolidate the current Trust team, working closely with the CEO, and to provide additional capacity to support ongoing Trust growth, particularly around teaching & learning, professional development and curriculum planning in this next phase of the Trust development. We are looking for a highly credible educational leader with experience of school and Trust leadership, with the credibility and versatility to operate effectively across both primary and secondary phases to support the CEO to ensure that all aspects of the Trust are well led and managed. We are very happy to train and support the Deputy CEO in any areas where they may have less experience.
Our Trust is centred around collaborative working within and across our schools. Each school has its own unique character and strengths, collectively creating our exciting and ambitious Trust. The Headteachers meet regularly, working closely together and with our small central team. We align across our schools where this is sensible and supports students and staff, and ensure that we research and consider the most appropriate direction for us.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking person with a proven leadership track record in education who is happy to become involved in all aspects of the Trust and the individual schools in this currently small but growing and ambitious Trust. As a new role this will suit someone who is keen to be an instrumental part in this stage of Trust growth and who is able and willing to work closely with the CEO and Central Team to review the current systems and set up strong systems and practices that support our Headteachers, staff, students, families, Trustees, Governors and communities.
I am very excited by the opportunities and challenges ahead of us and I hope that you are too. Please contact our specialist recruitment partner, Martin Blair at Berg Education, on 07908268091 or at martin.blair@bergeducation.co.uk for a private and confidential discussion about the opportunity.
Thank you for considering this role with Christopher Nieper Education Trust.
Dr Kathryn Hobbs
CEO
Welcome from
the Chair
Thank you for your interest in joining our Trust. It is a pleasure to welcome you, and I hope you will see this as a rare and exciting opportunity.
I come from a family textile business that has employed local people in Alfreton for more than 65 years. Whilst my background is not in education, I have always understood the importance of developing young talent and the vital role schools play at the heart of their communities.
Ten years ago, we took the bold decision to sponsor a struggling local secondary school. We gave it a fresh start, appointed outstanding leadership and focused on creating opportunities for young people, both within school and beyond the school gates.
The transformation has been remarkable. I’m proud to say that what was once a school facing significant challenges is now thriving, oversubscribed and highly regarded. Building on that success, our Trust has grown and now serves children across both primary and secondary phases.
This journey has only been possible because of the dedication of exceptional people, particularly our CEO, Kathryn Hobbs, whose leadership has been instrumental. The Deputy CEO role offers a unique opportunity to work alongside Kathryn and our talented Trust team, helping to shape the next stage of our development.
We are financially strong, ambitious for our communities and determined to improve life chances for young people, particularly in areas that have too often been left behind. We are looking for a leader who shares those values, welcomes challenge and is committed to making a lasting difference.
I hope you will see this as one of the most rewarding and impactful leadership opportunities within the sector, and I look forward to receiving your application.
Christopher Nieper OBE
Chair of Trustees
About Us
Developing Leaders & Achievers for the future
Established 2015
Founded to raise aspirations and create opportunities for young people across Derbyshire.
Major
Success
Taken David Nieper Academy, a failing school in Special Measures, to Good in all areas.
Growing Trust
From one academy in 2016 to four schools today, with continued growth planned.
Communities First
Proudly serving communities across Derbyshire and improving life chances for young people.
Ages 3-18
Supporting children and young people throughout their educational journey.
Employer
Partnerships
Working with leading local and national businesses to connect learning with the world of work.
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That schools and employers work together to develop young people with ambition, aspirations and opportunity, so that they can become the leaders and achievers of the future
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The schools within Christopher Nieper Education Trust work determinedly to give all pupils the winning combination of a first-class academic education, life skills for future employability and excellent pastoral care.
Our History
A growing family of schools
Christopher Nieper Education Trust is a growing family of schools serving children and young people aged 3 to 18 across Derbyshire.
While we are ambitious for growth, we remain committed to the collaborative, supportive culture that comes from being a close-knit Trust. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, with a shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.
We work closely with families, colleagues and external partners to give pupils the support, challenge and opportunities they need to thrive.
Where it began
The Trust was founded in 2015, with the support of local family-owned textile manufacturer David Nieper Ltd. Our purpose was clear: to raise aspirations, create opportunities and improve life chances for young people.
Our first school, David Nieper Academy, joined the Trust in 2016. Since then, it has undergone a remarkable transformation – growing from a school in Special Measures with 344 students and a declining estate into a thriving, oversubscribed secondary academy with more than 830 students, a state-of-the-art new building and an Ofsted Good judgement in all areas.
Growing Together
Our Trust has continued to grow:
2022 – Stonebroom Primary & Nursery School joined us
2023 – Shirland Primary School joined us
2024 – Mickley Village Primary & Nursery School joined us
Joining soon – Deer Park Primary School
Together, our schools serve communities with diverse and often complex needs, including areas of significant deprivation and increasing demand for SEND provision.
Connecting education with opportunity
Our strong employer partnerships are a distinctive part of our Trust. Alongside David Nieper Ltd, organisations including Bowmer + Kirkland, Places for People, Owen Taylor & Sons and Equip UK help connect classroom learning to the world of work.
These partnerships raise aspirations and help pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need for future success.
Looking to the future
Collaboration sits at the heart of our approach. We support and challenge one another to achieve the very best outcomes for children, while creating opportunities for colleagues to develop, share expertise and contribute to continuous improvement.
As we continue to grow, our focus remains the same: raising standards, inspiring excellence and enabling every child to fulfil their potential and progress confidently into further education, training or employment.
The Schools
Click on a tile to find more information on the Academy website.
The Opportunity
This is an exciting time to join Christopher Nieper Education Trust and be part of a Trust that is ambitious for its pupils, committed to its people and determined to make a lasting difference in the communities it serves.
To act as day-to-day Deputy to the CEO sharing any responsibility as required.
To support the CEO & Trust board in developing schools which are schools of choice for staff to work, for parents to send their children and for communities to be proud.
To uphold the trust’s values, ethos and the board’s strategic direction.
To provide visible leadership across the organisation, work collaboratively and at all levels to deliver high professional standards, measurable targets and with clear aims and objectives.
To support the CEO in leading all aspects of teaching and learning standards, including the framework and systems for professional development and curriculum planning.
To support the CEO to maximise output in all areas within normal budgetary constraints with good financial literacy.
To expand and develop our employability agenda especially into primary schools.
To not be afraid to “roll up sleeves” and willingly contributing wherever needed to support a growing, community based and high-performing Trust.
The Role of Deputy CEO
Candidate Information
If you are inspired by the opportunity to join Christopher Nieper Education Trust and be part of a Trust that is ambitious for its pupils, committed to its people and determined to make a lasting difference in the communities it serves, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Salary - £101,540 to £111,990
Recruitment timeline
Closing date – 8 am, Monday 12th October
Interview dates – 22nd and 23rd October
Start date – Agreed in discussion with the appointed candidate
How to Apply
For an informal and confidential discussion about the role or to find out how to apply please contact our specialist recruiter, Martin Blair at Berg Education:
Martin Blair
Berg Education
Tel: 07908268091
Email: martin.blair@bergeducation.co.uk
Safeguarding
Christopher Nieper Education Trust value equality and diversity and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment practises including satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check for the appointed candidate.