Ms K Cardus

Ms K Cardus is the CEO/Executive Headteacher of Barton Court Academy Trust and the Lead Professional and Accounting Officer of the Trust.

Ms Cardus joined Barton Court Grammar School in September 2010 as Headteacher. In March 2014 the School was judged “Outstanding” by Ofsted. “The Headteacher has a clear and ambitious vision for the School based upon high standards and secured through a drive for consistent and high-quality teaching" - OFSTED 2014.

In March 2015, Ms Cardus was awarded National Leader of Education (NLE) and Barton Court Grammar School a National Support School (NSS). NLEs along with staff in their school - designated a National Support School - use their success and professionalism to provide additional leadership capability in other schools. 

In January 2016, Barton Court Grammar School became an Academy Sponsor and started to work with The Charles Dickens School, in Broadstairs, a School placed in Special Measures by Ofsted in September 2014. On 1 March 2017, The Charles Dickens School joined Barton Court Academy Trust and after a period of support by BCAT Trust the school came out of special measures in June 2019 and was recently rated as “Good” by Ofsted in March 2023.

The Trust worked closely with the DfE and KCC, since April 2017, to plan and design a brand new school to replace the former Chaucer school in the heart of Canterbury. This new Free School, Barton Manor School, an 11 – 18yrs non-selective mixed school opened in September 2022 to Year 7 only and now in its second year of opening has students in Year 7 and 8. As the school grows it will share Sixth Form provision with Barton Court Grammar School, focussing on vocational excellence with Barton Court focussing on academic excellence. Ms Cardus was Headteacher of Barton Manor School prior to opening and during its first year and has passed the baton of leadership to Mr Morgan from September 2023 so she can concentrate on the CEO role.

Ms Cardus has been Headteacher of all 3 schools within the Trust and therefore knows the strengths and challenges each school faces really well. “I am delighted and honoured to be the CEO/Executive Headteacher of Barton Court Academy Trust. To lead three very different, highly successful schools with an amazing team of Headteachers and dedicated staff is a joy and a privilege. We are stronger when we work together, share ideas and collaborate and our small trust allows us to do that very effectively so all students have access to high quality outstanding educational provision. All staff have access to high quality training and the Trust offers a very supportive environment within which to work where teachers, leaders and support staff are challenged to develop and grow” - Ms Cardus.