About Cheviot Learning Trust

Cheviot Learning Trust was formed in 2023 through the merger of Tyne Community Learning Trust, and Three Rivers Learning Trust.

We are a charity supported by over 150 governance volunteers who hold us to account in their role as critical friends. We are proud Northumbrians; more than happy to welcome schools to join us from inside or outside Northumberland.

All of the schools have a long and proud history of providing an excellent education service to their local populations. Through our teaching, we aim to equip children with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to be able to make informed choices about the important things in their lives. We believe that appropriate teaching and learning experiences help children to lead happy and rewarding lives.

The Cheviot Learning Trust mission

Our core purpose is to advance education for the public benefit. We believe that each school in the Trust family has unique qualities to share and unique challenges to be resolved. Deep collaboration is a key Trust expectation that helps us to deliver significant benefits for the students, the staff and the schools that form the Trust. Each school is stronger in the Trust family; delivering a better education for the public good than if they were outside the Trust.

Our vision

Our purpose is to deliver excellent education for the benefit of all and our mission is to develop all our young people to have the opportunity to succeed.

About The Interim Chief Executive Officer Role

The Interim CEO will combine strategic clarity with decisive, values-led leadership. Working closely with the Trust Board, Central Team and the wider Trust community, you will ensure continuity of effective leadership during a period of transition, while strengthening the organisational capacity, systems and culture required to support anticipated expansion. 

Your core objectives will be to: 

• Build shared understanding and engagement with growth options through focused communication and collaboration; 

• Shape the organisation to be resilient, scalable and fit for future growth; 

• Ensure that the Trust maintains high educational and business standards throughout this interim period. 

Cheviot Learning Trust serves the Prudhoe, Morpeth and Rothbury communities through a close-knit group of First, Middle and High schools. Each school retains its own identity while benefitting from strong central services in education delivery, finance, governance, data, HR, and estates. Staff work closely together through shared professional learning and a collective focus on pupils’ academic and personal development. With strong governance, skilled staff and a clear moral purpose, Cheviot Learning Trust is well positioned for continued success and carefully planned growth. 

The successful candidate will be an experienced, values-led senior leader who can: 

• Lead with strategic clarity and emotional intelligence, inspiring confidence across the Trust; 

• Build on strong foundations and guide the next phase of development with ambition and integrity;

• Sustain high standards of education, inclusion and personal development across all schools; 

• Foster a collaborative and supportive culture in which staff grow and thrive; 

• Shape sustainable Trust growth, responding intelligently to local needs and opportunities, and developing constructive partnerships across the region and beyond; 

• Work confidently with Trustees, offering clear strategic advice and sound professional judgement; 

• Act as an inspirational and credible ambassador for the Trust, building confidence internally and externally with key partners and stakeholders.  

Accounting Officer Responsibilities 

In accordance with the Academy Trust Handbook 2025, the Interim CEO will also serve as the Trust’s Accounting Officer, with clearly defined personal responsibilities for financial governance and stewardship. As Accounting Officer you will: 

• Be personally accountable to Parliament, to the Department for Education’s (DfE) Accounting Officer and to the public for the Trust’s financial resources and financial stewardship; 

• Assure high standards of regularity, propriety, feasibility and value for money (including economy, efficiency and effectiveness) in the use of public funds; 

• Maintain oversight of financial systems and controls, ensuring robust governance, transparent reporting and sound risk management; 

• Complete and sign the annual statement on regularity, propriety and compliance submitted with the audited accounts; 

• Take personal responsibility for advising the Board in writing where proposed actions conflict with statutory or funding requirements, Trust articles or handbook duties, including where these relate to financial governance or ethical compliance; 

• Promote a culture of accountability, ethical conduct and public service values across the Trust. 

This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact at a critical moment in the life of Cheviot Learning Trust, ensuring stability today while shaping success for the future. 

Opportunities for conversations with Trustees and Executive Leaders, and visits to the central office are available. Details on how to arrange these are included below.

Full details of the role, including the Job Description, Person Specification and information on how to apply, can be found in the Documents section below. Additional information about our Trust is available in our recruitment pack, including our central team structure, governance and accountability, projects undertaken by our Educational Delivery Team, and information about our strategic plan.