Chief Operating Officer | Windsor Learning Partnership

Dear Applicant,

I would like to thank you for your interest in this exciting opportunity to become our new Chief Operating Officer at a time when the Windsor Learning Partnership is moving into a significant second phase of its development, having been formed in March 2015. The COO role has been expanded to be a significant member of the executive team, currently comprising a CEO and CFO, who will shape the future of the Trust as it grows in the next five to 10 years.

The WLP Trust aims to provide a coherent, inclusive and modern learning experience for children in the area of Windsor. Now with five schools (2 Upper, 1 Middle and 2 First schools), we provide for children from reception all the way to sixth form. Our aim is to continue to make the Trust attractive to other schools in the area, becoming 10 schools in the next three years. The successful candidate will be essential to this growth.

The WLP Trust is characterised by a very collaborative approach where schools are encouraged to retain their own identity, whilst benefiting from being a genuine partner in a local and supportive Multi-Academy Trust. Windsor is a great place to work, where parents and staff actively support their schools and the Board of Trustees have a great deal of attachment to the schools they support.

The expanded COO role will be responsible for these key areas:

• Estate Management, including compliance and health and safety
• Human Resources
• ICT and technical services
• Central contracts and services
• Project management, including funding bids and grants submission
• Marketing and communications for the Trust

Where a candidate may have significant expertise is some of these areas, they would supervise the provision for the others.

If appointed, you will be fully supported by the Board of Trustees and the Trust Executive in what will be a challenging but immensely rewarding career opportunity. I do hope that you consider making a visit to us in person or virtually before submitting your application. Whilst it is our intention to hold face to face interviews, we recognise everyone’s safety is paramount in these socially distanced times.

Once again, thank you for your interest in the appointment of the Chief Operating Officer of the Windsor Learning Partnership.

Yours faithfully,

Gavin Henderson
CEO, Windsor Learning Partnership

Windsor Learning Partnership is the Multi-Academy Trust for students in Windsor. We are a community of five collaborative academies where students are at the heart of everything we do. We drive outstanding outcomes for them, enhancing their learning opportunities and their social mobility.

Windsor Learning Partnership was founded in March 2015 through the coming together of The Windsor Boys’ School and Windsor Girls’ School in a Multi-Academy Trust. Dedworth Green First School and Dedworth Middle School joined our Trust in May 2016 and Clewer Green CE First School joined in April 2020. With the addition of a CE school WLP became a mixed MAT. Our purpose and commitment is to provide an exceptional education for all young people in the local community.

Windsor Learning Partnership (WLP) believes in:

• Students being at the heart of everything we do.
• Enhancing the learning opportunities and aspirations of all our students.
• Driving up standards of teaching and levels of student achievement, through dynamic leadership, innovative teaching and inspired learning for all.
• Taking an open and collaborative approach to building a successful community of schools in the local area.

For students this means:

• Helping them achieve their aspirational targets through excellent teaching and a stimulating, safe and inclusive environment.
• Providing them with an inspiring all-round educational experience that will give them better life chances, personal fulfilment, recognition and confidence.
• Guiding and supporting them on routes through to a successful career at all stages of life.
• Helping them develop the skills, interests and aptitudes to be a valued member of the wider community.

For academies, Headteachers, teachers, support staff, governors and the wider community, this means:

• Building a collaborative and coherent approach to inclusive education in the Windsor area from ages two to 18.
• Strengthening the transition between the learning stages and school phases.
• Encouraging an approach of earned autonomy, enabling schools to share in the support and challenge of the collective Windsor Learning Partnership group combined with the freedom to develop their individual ethos suited to the needs of their school’s community.
• Providing outstanding professional development, leadership and career opportunities tailored to local needs.
• Ensuring the effective use of public money, seeking synergies and efficiencies across the schools.