Excelsior Multi-Academy Trust, comprising eight primary schools in the West Midlands, has promoted Darren King to chief executive.
King has leadership experience across primary, secondary and sixth form education and for two years has been Excelsior’s director of education. Previously, he held three headships and worked for a decade in executive leadership roles in one of the country’s largest multi-academy trusts. An experienced Ofsted inspector and former lead inspector, King has also worked with the Department for Education and Birmingham City Council.
Every Excelsior school is now rated Good or better in all areas.
King said: “My focus will be continuing to strive for even higher standards and ensuring every pupil leaves us not only well educated, but as a confident, capable and compassionate young person.”
Excelsior Multi-Academy Trust’s chair of trustees Pam Garrington said: “Over the past two years, [King] has already made a significant contribution to Excelsior, and his experience, knowledge and commitment to improving outcomes for pupils make him exceptionally well placed to lead the Trust into its next chapter.
“Darren is an ambitious and experienced education leader who shares our determination to provide the very best education and opportunities for every child. We are excited about the future of Excelsior under his leadership and look forward to working closely with him as he continues to drive improvement across our family of schools.”