Headteacher

Firwood High School, Bolton, Lancashire, BL2 4HU

24 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st September 2026

• Closing date

  1 February 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  7 January 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £93,423.00 - £107,131.00 Annually (Actual) L25 - L31 Leadership Pay Range

Headteacher job summary

Woodbridge Trust is looking to appoint an inspirational Headteacher to lead our passionate and hardworking team at Firwood High School. Firwood High School is Bolton's provision for students aged 11 - 19 years with severe and profound learning difficulties. The school caters for a range of pupils including those with severe learning difficulties (SLD), profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Autism.

Our school mission statement is 'Learning without limits' and every day we strive to positively challenge our young people to engage with learning that offers them the opportunity to make choices, communicate in their preferred style, be heard, learn new skills and be proud of themselves.

Firwood is a growing school, currently operating across two sites with a new sixth form build in the planning stages.

We are seeking a leader who will embrace our inclusive and nurturing approach, supporting every child to reach their full potential while maintaining the high standards we are proud of. The successful candidate will set ambitious standards for staff and pupils, leading with clarity and moral purpose. This role presents an exciting opportunity to demonstrate inspirational leadership, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, ensuring that Firwood School continues to thrive as a place where every pupil and staff member can be the very best they can be.

If you are a values driven, strategic and innovative leader with SEND knowledge then we want to hear from you.

In return, we will offer:

• A challenging, yet rewarding working environment
• Professional development to support you in your career
• Hardworking, dedicated, professional and enthusiastic staff
• The benefits of working in an innovative and forward-thinking Trust
• Supportive leadership and real opportunities to develop
• A genuinely happy and caring place to work
• High standard facilities

Contract: Full Time

Start Date: 1st September 2026

Salary: L25 - L31 (£93,423 - £107,131)

Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged. Please contact Alison Brennan on 01204 333044 to arrange a visit on one of the following dates:

Tuesday, 13th January 2026

Friday, 23rd January 2026

Thursday, 29th January 2026

Woodbridge Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a self-declaration of their criminal record or any information that would make them unsuitable to work with children, we will also carry out an online search on shortlisted candidates to help identify any incidents or issues that are publicly available online. References will be sought prior to interview.

The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barred List (DBS) check by the Disclosure and Barring Service, and Teacher prohibition check.

All offers of appointment will be conditional until satisfactory completion of the necessary pre-employment checks as specified in KCSIE 2025.

The Trust values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Thank you for your interest and we welcome your application.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Firwood High School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 19
• School size: 230 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Firwood High School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/firwood-high-school-bolton

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