Director of Education and Inclusion

Director of Education and Inclusion

Wigan Council
Salary: £120,901

We're on a journey to build a workforce reflective of our Borough.

We are committed to fostering diverse teams where everybody can bring their authentic selves to work and feel that they belong. If you want to work for a Council where everybody is encouraged to meet their full potential and make a difference in our neighbourhoods, we would love to hear from you!

Wigan Council has earned national recognition for bold reform, award winning public service innovation and an asset based approach that puts people and communities first. As we move into a new era built on the strengths and ambition of our borough, we are seeking an outstanding Director of Education to join our senior leadership team.

We are deeply ambitious for our children and young people. Our vision is simple and clear: every child should have the best start in life, feel included as standard, and have every opportunity to achieve and thrive.

This is a rare opportunity for an inspirational system leader to drive our Progress with Unity missions, champion educational excellence and lead the borough’s preparation for major national reforms. Working closely with schools, multiacademy trusts, health services and community organisations, you will align local priorities with national change - ensuring children, young people and families benefit from genuine partnership working from early years through to adulthood.

This is no ordinary Director role. As our strategic education lead, you will play a central part in delivering our boroughwide Progress with Unity movement to:

• Create fair opportunities for all children and families by tackling inequalities in health, education, finance and environment.
• Support all towns and neighbourhoods to flourish, working with residents, schools, partners and businesses as equal placeshaping partners.

Your leadership will unite education services with the wider partnership to meet new legislative requirements and use reform as a catalyst for innovation, equity and exceptional outcomes beyond statutory education.

We are looking for a visionary, resilient, values driven leader to join our established and experienced senior team where services are judged as good with outstanding features. You will have a strong track record in educational improvement and SEND and will be confident to work across complex systems to turn national policy into ambitious local delivery. Your commitment to education and lifelong learning will help strengthen Wigan’s performance in attendance, achievement and reducing NEET.

Above all, you will believe in our borough, our communities and the potential of every child - ensuring high standards of quality, sufficiency and safeguarding across all settings, with children at the heart of every decision.

Why Wigan?

Wigan Borough is 70% green space, culturally rich, home to outstanding education and sporting heritage, and filled with caring, creative and ambitious residents. You will join a council with a unique positive culture, strong political support, and the freedom to innovate.

To be appointed to this role you must be able to prove your right to work in the UK. Please visit the link below to check you qualify to apply. Please note, at present we are not a licenced sponsor. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Prove your right to work to an employer

How to apply

If this role excites you and you would like an informal conversation, please contact Colette Dutton via Julie Maitland at j.maitland@wigan.gov.uk

To apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 2 sides of A4).

Closing date: 3^rd May 2026
Interviews: 11^th and 20^th May 2026

This is a politically restricted role

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