Ms K Cardus

Ms K Cardus is the CEO of Barton Court Academy Trust and the Lead Professional and Accounting Officer of the Trust. In addition, Ms Cardus is also Executive Headteacher of Barton Court Grammar School and Barton Manor School and COO for 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 rated as “Good” by Ofsted in March 2023.

From April 2017, the Trust worked closely with the DfE and KCC 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. From September 2026, the school will be in its fifth year of opening with students in Y7 – 11 and will have its first set of examination results in the summer of 2027. Ms Cardus was Headteacher of Barton Manor School prior to opening and during its first year, and was instrumental in not only the design of the school but also ensuring the school was opened with BCAT’s vision and values and it provides high quality educational provision for all students. From September 2023, Mr Morgan was appointed Headteacher so Ms Cardus can concentrate on the CEO role. In May 2025, the school’s first Ofsted inspection was a huge success achieving good overall with “Outstanding” for Leadership & Management and Personal Development.

In May 2026, the DfE asked BCAT to sponsor the Sandwich Technology School, a school in need of urgent improvement following two consecutive special measure judgements by Ofsted. On 1 November 2026, the school joined BCAT.

Ms Cardus has been Headteacher of 3 of the highly successful schools within the Trust (Barton Court, Barton Manor and The Charles Dickens School) and is now actively involved in the school improvement strategy at the Sandwich Technology School. She 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, and one school facing challenges, 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.