Sir Paul Tarn is stepping down from his role leading Delta Academies Trust, Tes understands.

Delta is one of the country’s biggest multi-academy trusts, with 57 schools in the North of England and approval to take on six more.

Sir Paul, who was knighted this month in the King’s Birthday Honours, has led the trust since 2016.

Delta won approval earlier this year to take on all six schools run by Coast and Vale Learning Trust, which Sir Paul had also been running following the retirement of its former leader Brian Crosby.

The decision for Delta to absorb the smaller trust had been referred to ministers.

Sir Paul started his career as a miner before training at night school and working as a science teacher, later taking leadership roles at Outwood Grange Academies Trust. He took the reins at Delta, formerly known as Schools Partnership Trust Academies, in 2016.

He was paid between £290,000 and £295,000 in 2023-24, according to Delta’s latest published accounts.

‘Huge debt of gratitude’

An announcement will be made on Sir Paul’s successor in due course, Delta said, adding that the trust’s board has been working with him on a succession plan.

Sir Paul will continue working on a voluntary basis with the Education Exchange, which helps people in the sector share school improvement strategies.

Steve Hodsman, chair of trustees at Delta, said: “All of us at Delta Academies Trust owe a huge debt of gratitude to Sir Paul - tens of thousands of children and young people, many of them in disadvantaged communities across the North of England, have received a world-class education and the chance to take successful next steps in their education, training or employment thanks to his work.

“When Paul became CEO in 2016, Delta was not the strong, successful academy trust it is today.”

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