The Aspire Federation

Oakfield High School & College

Salary: Grade 4, £13,664 - £14,327 per annum. £13.26 - £13.90 per hour

22.5 hours per week, term time plus 2 weeks working 40 weeks per year

Temporary until March 2027

Required as soon as possible

The Role:

The Aspire Federation is seeking to appoint a part time forward-thinking Business Support Officer.

The applicant needs to be experienced in providing high quality administration and have the ability to work under pressure to competing priorities and demands. The role requires excellent written, verbal and technological skills together with advanced organisational skills to ensure deadlines required by a statutory process are met.

You must be able to work on your own initiative and provide an excellent level of customer service. The successful candidate will have excellent time management skills, be a flexible team player and will be able to work at pace with excellent attention to detail.

Hours of work: Monday Friday - 8.00am - 12.30pm

At the Aspire Federation, we offer a targeted and comprehensive Professional Development Programme for all our staff, providing equal opportunities for all.

Candidates are encouraged to visit our website and social media to discover more about Oakfield High School and The Aspire Federation. Perspective applicants can request further information and ask questions via email to: hr@theaspirefederation.org.uk

‘Aiming High Reaching All’

The Aspire Federation

Aspire is a dynamic and flourishing organisation. Everyone including parents, learners, staff and governors are an important part of our community team where views are encouraged and valued.

We are two outstanding schools and are proud of our exceptional success and numerous achievements. At Aspire we are committed to “Aiming High, Reaching All”.

What is it like to work at Aspire?

At Aspire you will find:

  • A highly professional and driven staff team who support each other.
  • Extensive and high-quality professional development opportunities with a focus upon coaching and mentoring.
  • Real opportunities to thrive and grow.
  • A genuine and bespoke staff wellbeing programme based on our wellbeing charter.
  • A quality environment with high performing staff and learners whose key focus is teaching, learning and professional development.
  • A ‘can do’ ethos.
  • Strong and caring relationships which are the foundation of everything we do.

What are we looking for?

  • At Aspire we welcome applications from people who show:
  • Enthusiasm, commitment and resilience.
  • A desire and drive that inspires and motivates our young people and colleagues who are able to develop positive relationships.
  • A desire to work as part of a high performing team.

Landgate School

Landgate is a school for learners aged 4-19 with Autism and/or communication and interaction conditions. We are a small school with huge impact, dedicated to improving outcomes for learners and their families in the Wigan borough and beyond. We demonstrate extraordinary dedication, outward thinking and inspirational teaching, learning and sensory practice.

At Landgate, our mission is ‘Bringing Learning to Life’ through readiness and engagement for learning and targeted, purposeful and innovative learning opportunities. Our learners are encouraged to become confident, happy, independent young adults and valued members of the wider community.

Oakfield High School and College

Oakfield is a School and College for learners aged 11-19 years with complex learning needs. We are extremely proud of our school, the achievements of our learners, the expertise, dedication and commitment of our staff, our amazing environment and our reputation for providing an exceptional education to learners in our school and beyond.

‘Learning today for our tomorrow’ encapsulates our deep commitment to raising achievement and future aspirations. Our inspirational learning climate focuses on the whole young person. We have an unshakable belief that every learner has the potential to succeed, achieve, fulfil their dreams and make a valuable contribution to society.

Please be advised that although initially based at Oakfield High School, the postholder may have the unique and exciting opportunity to work across all of the Federated sites.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this same commitment. Any successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure check by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Interview date: To Be Confirmed

This position is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Procedures plus child barred list check

The employer is committed to safeguarding

To view the details relating to this position please click the links below:

Supporting Documents

Job Description and Person Specification
Childcare Disqualification Requirements
DBS Policy Statement Schools
Guidance for Safer Work Practices

Ready to apply?

Location

Long Lane, Hindley Green, Wigan, WN2 4XA, United Kingdom

Job ID

2699

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This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to and understanding how to use AI responsibly.

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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice. If you do use AI as a support tool, a brief explanation helps us ensure an equitable selection process.

Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.

This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

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    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

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    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

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    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

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    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

    AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

    AI is most helpful when used to:

    • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

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  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

    Do:

    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

    Don’t:

    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice