Job Description

Wandle Learning Trust

Wandsworth

Salary:

From 115k depending on experience

Job type:

Full Time, Permanent

Start date:

01 January 2026

Apply by:

1 October 2025

Job overview

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Chief Operating Officer

Wandle Learning Trust, South London

From 115k depending on experience.

(A higher salary may be offered to those with significant relevant expertise).

Full time

We are seeking a strategic, forward-thinking leader, with a proven track record in operational leadership, to join our Executive Leadership Team and play a key role in shaping the future of our Trust. This is a rare opportunity to lead and influence across multiple operational areas--IT, Estates, HR, Finance, and Governance--ensuring our infrastructure and services enable outstanding educational outcomes.

You will lead the strategic development of operational strategies across the Trust, acting as Company Secretary, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks. You will also Be an active member of the Executive Team, contributing to Trust-wide strategy.

Other key responsibilities include:Oversee capital planning and ensure sustainable, value-driven investment. Drive commercial and income-generating initiatives to support Trust growth. Line manage senior leaders including the Chief Financial Officer and operational teams.
You will have proven senior leadership experience, ideally within the education or public sector, with responsibility for multiple operational functions. You will also possess the following:Strong understanding of compliance, governance, and risk management. Experience of managing finance, HR, estates, IT, and health & safety. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and project management skills. A collaborative and adaptable leadership style. High integrity and alignment with the Trust's values. Resilience, enthusiasm, and a proactive mindset. A team player who inspires and supports others.
Wandle Learning Trust, a growing Multi Academy Trust based in South London, currently comprises of two secondary schools and eight primary schools. The Trust also runs the Wandle Learning Partnership, which oversees our English, Maths and Teaching DfE Hubs, as well as our sector leading phonics programme, Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

For further details and to apply please visit our website at https://wandlelearningtrust.org.uk/work-for-us/work-with-us

For an informal discussion about the role, please email recruitment@wandlelearningtrust.org.uk

Closing Date: 1st October at Midday
Initial online interviews for shortlisted candidates are planned for on 2nd October, with final interviews for selected candidates on 7th October.

The Academy welcomes applications from disabled candidates. If you have a disability, please indicate any adjustments we might make when applying in order to ensure that the shortlisting process is fair and meets your needs.

CVs are not accepted.

Attached documents

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Candidate Pack COO.pdf
3.51MB

Recruiter contact:

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Email us

Call us

About

Wandle Learning Trust

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Wandle Learning Trust

Dagnall Street, London
SW11 5DT
United Kingdom

+44 204 568 6721

Wandle Learning Trust was founded in 2018 by Mark Siswick and Christian Kingsley, the leaders of Chesterton Primary School and Chestnut Grove Academy in Wandsworth. We are now a family of five schools comprising our founder schools plus three further primaries, Ravenstone Primary School, Paxton Academy and Thomson House School.



Unique to our Trust is the strong collaboration with Wandle Learning Partnership, which is home to our Teaching School, English and Maths Hubs and sector leading phonics programme, Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. Collectively we are united in the belief that there is no more important role than making a positive difference to children's lives.



Our aim is to ensure that as a result of attending an academy in the Trust, every young person will be inspired and empowered by their education. Inspired to build a purposeful and fulfilling life and empowered to make a valuable contribution to the world around them.



As a Trust we believe in Educating for life, ensuring that our children are prepared for the next stage of their education, employment or training. Each academy will aim to achieve an outstanding judgement from OFSTED at the earliest appropriate point and be contributing to delivering world-class education within the Trust.



If you want to find out more about the Trust, our schools and our learning partnership please visit our relevant websites.



Wandle Learning Trust

Chestnut Grove Academy

Chesterton Primary School

Paxton Academy

Ravenstone Primary School

Thomson House School - Home

Wandle Learning Partnership

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds

Wandle Teaching School Hub

London South West Maths Hub

The Wandle English HubPlease note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow

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