Head of Standards and Learning

We are 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!

Join us as a Senior Leader in shaping outstanding education across Wigan. This is your opportunity to make a boroughwide impact on the lives of children and young people by driving excellence across all of our education provision. Working alongside some of the most passionate education leaders in Wigan, you will use data, insight and professional expertise to provide high-quality challenge, support and guidance, ensuring every school delivers an exceptional education and achieves Good or Outstanding outcomes.

With the current schools and SEND reforms, this is a really exciting time to have a strategic input into developing Wigan’s response. This role goes far beyond school improvement. As strategic lead to several of our key education services, including School Organisation, Governor Services, Early Years and Music Services, you will have the resources and autonomy to be creative in how we support and influence educational outcomes.

You will have full support to develop your knowledge and skills in areas that may be new to you; however, a good understanding and experience in school improvement and leadership is needed. For the right candidate, this position offers a real opportunity to use strategic acumen, leadership capability and a collaborative approach to make a direct and lasting difference to children and young people’s outcomes.

You will be part of Progress with Unity, a new, coproduced placewide partnership movement bringing organisations and communities together to deliver long-lasting change. This includes two major missions: creating fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses by breaking down barriers to financial, health, education and environmental equality; helping every town and neighbourhood in the borough to flourish by working in genuine partnership with residents and businesses, celebrating local identity and shaping the conditions needed for communities to thrive.

Collaboration is central to our work. You will partner with colleagues across and beyond the Council to help deliver Wigan’s Excellence in Education Strategy 2020-2030, raising aspirations and improving outcomes across the borough. We are seeking a strategic, inspiring senior leader with up-to-date knowledge of education priorities and a proven record of improving outcomes for children and young people.

Bringing recent senior leadership experience in a Council, school or college, you will demonstrate exceptional emotional intelligence, strong communication skills and alignment with our Team Wigan behaviours. Confident and credible, you will motivate and influence leaders and colleagues at every level. You will join a bold, forward-thinking and aspirational education service committed to delivering the highest standards of teaching and learning for all.

Our system-led consortia model is built on collaboration, shared expertise and collective ambition. Through strong, long-established partnerships, we drive continuous improvement and ensure children across Wigan can thrive from early years into adulthood. You will be part of a passionate team making a lasting difference.

About Us: Wigan Council has been voted ‘Overall Council of the Year’ at the APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) Awards. We are signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment ensuring that your service will be continuous or 'unbroken' between the supporting organisations. Here at Wigan, we are proud to support flexible working patterns, when the service can accommodate this. We also take a blended approach to where we work, depending on the work we do. This may include working from home, the office, or the community.

We like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits. To be appointed to this role you must be able to prove your right to work in the UK.

For an informal discussion, please contact: Cath Pealing at C.pealing@wigan.gov.uk or 07345 475043. Relocation support can be discussed for the right candidate. Interview date: Thursday 2nd April 2026. This is a politically restricted role.