Job Description

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We are excited to be looking for a new Director of HR and Operations to join our forward thinking, ambitious small trust in Essex. This is a brilliant opportunity for the right person to join a small central team at an important point in time for the trust. In 2023 Brickfields grew from two to four schools and in January 2026 our new CEO joined us. We are now looking ahead with excitement as we build a strong and highly effective trust that values people and culture, is proud of our schools' exceptional and inclusive provision and puts children's learning and wellbeing at the heart of what we do. We have a strong governance structure and proactive trustees alongside a highly effective Executive Leadership Team made up of the Headteachers of our schools who work collaboratively to agree our priorities. Our results in 2026 were the trust's best ever and we continue to go from strength to strength thanks to our incredible staff teams and fabulous families. We are proud of the distinct ethos that each of our schools maintain and the deep roots they have in their communities. Our new Director of HR and Operations will have a unique opportunity to play a key part in the next phase of our development. We are looking for the right person for our team - someone who can work independently and with initiative, thrives in complex and dynamic environments and is brilliant at building positive relationships with colleagues in a multi-school environment.

If you think this could be you, we'd love to hear from you. If you'd like to arrange an informal chat with our CEO, Salina Ventress, please don't hesitate to email enquiries@brickfields.org

Salina Ventress, CEO

The Brickfields Trust

The Brickfields Trust is a small multi-academy trust (MAT) in Essex. It comprises of four primary schools across Chelmsford and Rochford.

The four schools are:

Barling Magna Primary Academy (1FE)
Great Wakering Primary Academy (2FE)
Lawford Mead Primary & Nursery (2FE)
Kings Road Primary School (2FE)

The trust was established in 2017 with Barling Magna and Great Wakering. It later expanded in September 2023, when Lawford Mead and Kings Road joined following the merger with HERA Academy Trust. All schools received Ofsted inspections in 2025 and were judged to be Good.

Information about the School

The Brickfields Trust is a small multi-academy trust (MAT) in Essex. It comprises of four primary schools across Chelmsford and Rochford.

The four schools are:

• Barling Magna Primary Academy (1FE) • Great Wakering Primary Academy (2FE) • Lawford Mead Primary & Nursery (2FE) • Kings Road Primary School (2FE)

The trust was established in 2017 with Barling Magna and Great Wakering. It later expanded in September 2023, when Lawford Mead and Kings Road joined following the merger with HERA Academy Trust. All schools received Ofsted inspections in 2025 and were judged to be Good.