Bickershaw CE Primary

Bickershaw Lane

Bickershaw

Wigan

WN2 4AE

Leadership Pay Spine L12 -L18

Full Time

Required for September 2026

Hebrews 13:8 ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’

Bickershaw CofE Primary School is seeking an exceptional Headteacher to lead our vibrant and inclusive school community. This opportunity arises as our much loved and highly respected Headteacher retires after many years of dedicated service.

The successful candidate will lead our school through its next exciting chapter, building on the strengths highlighted in our recent successful SIAMS and Ofsted inspections, and enabling every member of our school community to thrive and succeed.

Children are at the heart of everything we do at Bickershaw, and we pride ourselves on having a warm and welcoming environment where children feel happy, safe and secure, and where a genuine love of learning grows. The school is committed to nurturing the whole child and recognizing individual strengths. Its carefully designed curriculum promotes academic achievement while offering rich, creative and varied learning experiences. Personal development is a key focus and runs as a continuous thread throughout the curriculum, from Early Years through to Year 6, supporting children to grow into confident, well-rounded individuals.

Our Christian vision is firmly rooted in the Trinity God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the constant at the centre of our lives. Inspired by the life of Christ, as a guide, friend and comforter, we share the Gospel, aiming to meet the challenges of a constantly changing world.

Bickershaw CofE Primary School has a strong sense of community where everyone is respected, included and valued. We aim to ensure that all pupils succeed, regardless of their backgrounds, diverse needs and starting points, enabling them to achieve their academic and spiritual potential. Our environment fosters positive relationships where individuals feel nurtured and supported.

Our Christian Values, firmly rooted in the bible, encourage all to be self-motivated, caring, resilient and responsible citizens, celebrating differences and ensuring that all flourish. All in our school community are encouraged to support each other and those in local, national and global communities.

The ideal candidate will:

  • Demonstrate a passion for education and a commitment to improving the life chances of all children.
  • Have a proven track record of successful senior leadership in a primary school setting.
  • Be an excellent communicator, able to build strong relationships with children, staff, parents and the wider community.
  • Lead curriculum development and inspire continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
  • Embody the values and vision of Bickershaw CofE Primary School.
  • Manage resources effectively to meet the needs of all children, maintaining a well-equipped and stimulating learning environment.
  • Further build a culture of continuous professional development providing guidance, mentorship and opportunities for growth to all staff members.

We can offer you:

  • Happy and enthusiastic children who love learning.
  • A popular school with a welcoming, caring atmosphere and ethos.
  • A dedicated and caring staff team committed to academic and personal development.
  • A wide and creative curriculum with exciting learning experiences.
  • Strong links with our Church, parents and carers.
  • Supportive governance and collaboration within local networks.
  • Opportunities for professional development.
  • Support for your wellbeing to ensure your success as a leader.

If you wish to visit us at Bickershaw and tour the school with a member of the Governing Board, please contact the school office on 01942 866317.

If you feel this may be the career opportunity you are looking for, application packs are available from and returnable to michelle.foster@wigan.gov.uk or to Michelle Foster, Clerk to the Selection Panel, Governor Services, 2nd Floor, Life Centre South, College Avenue, Wigan WN1 1NZ.

Bickershaw CofE Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

This post is likely to come under the requirements of the Childcare (Disqualification) 2009 Regulation, and the successful applicant will be required to complete a declaration form to establish whether they are disqualified under these regulations.

As part of the shortlisting process, online searches will be carried out on shortlisted candidates in accordance with the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Bickershaw CofE Primary School is within the Diocese of Liverpool.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on 14th April 2026

Shortlisting: Friday 20th April 2026

Interview days: Thursday 30th April and Friday 1st May 2026

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 and to access the application form, please click the links below:

Supporting Documents

↗ Job Description
↗ Person Specification
↗ Letter from Ethos Group
↗ Letter from Chair of Governors
↗ Teaching Staff Application Form DBS
↗ Childcare Disqualification Requirements
↗ DBS Policy Statement Schools
↗ Guidance for Safer Work Practices

Location

Bickershaw Lane, Bickershaw, Wigan, WN2 4AE, United Kingdom

Job ID

2703

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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?

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    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.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

    • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

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    AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.

    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

    Your application is your chance to show us:

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    • What you can bring

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    • 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

    But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

  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