Academy IT Lead

Teaching Vacancies; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension scheme (15%)

Smart Clinic occupational health

Cycle to work

CPD opportunities

Flexible annual leave

Job summary

Teaching Vacancies is seeking an Academy IT Lead to join Watergrove Trust's IT department. The role involves supporting both primary and secondary academies, leading IT support delivery, and contributing to larger projects while developing skills across IT disciplines.

The role requires strong problem-solving and interpersonal abilities, with a commitment to staff development and potential progression within the trust. A driving licence is essential for site visits.

Qualifications

• Experience in IT support within an educational setting.
• Ability to interact effectively with staff and stakeholders.
• Willingness to develop skills across a wide IT area.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day troubleshooting and desktop/hardware support.
• Assist in delivering larger IT projects across academies.
• Install, configure and maintain software, hardware and infrastructure.
• Ensure data security across IT systems.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

IT support

Tools

Driving licence

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

Permanent

Start Date: ASAP

About this role:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Academy IT Lead to work within the Watergrove Trust's dynamic and innovative IT department. We will offer you the opportunity to work as part of an award winning team working across our primary and secondary academy settings, leading the excellent IT support provision for one of our academies.

It is important to us to find the right kind of person for this dynamic role. Your problem solving and interpersonal skills are as important as your technical ability. IT professionals need to be able to interact successfully with others, as well as providing technical support and experience working with machines.

We will be looking for those who are keen to develop and enhance their skills in a wide variety of IT areas. The trust are keen to develop their staff and would support post holders in pursuing fully funded level 3, level 4, or degree level apprenticeships, along with any other training needs identified by the post holder or their line managers. We have a history of developing staff to progress in their careers and motivated staff can typically expect career progression internally or externally within 2 years of employment.

The role will be primarily based at one of our trust secondary schools although you may be required to perform your duties within any of the locations of the Watergrove Trust, and will also have joint responsibility for supporting one or more primary schools, therefore a driving licence and use of your own vehicle is essential.

Why Work for the Watergrove Trust?

Watergrove Trust is growing and has a passion for providing more to the communities we work in. IT is a key function and we support our partners through innovation. We endeavour to coach our users and challenge them to try new technologies and look to improve working routines through the use of IT.

You can be part of this by joining us to provide day to day troubleshooting, desktop / hardware support, and be involved in delivering larger projects. Main responsibilities will be to provide effective support, installation, configuration and maintenance of software, hardware and infrastructure as well as ensuring data security. Working in education IT support provides access to a large range of technologies and you will have the opportunity to develop your skills across all of these, whilst being provided with the opportunity to specialise in areas that interest you.

Benefits we can offer:

• Access to local government pension scheme with employer contributions of 15%
• Access to occupational health provider (Smart Clinic)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity for CPD
• Flexible annual leave entitlement including all bank holidays

Interviews will take place on: Wednesday, 25 November 2026

Please be aware that if you are shortlisted for an interview that references (and basic online search checks) will be sought.

The Watergrove Trust values diversity in its workforce. We are committed to ensuring that no unlawful discrimination occurs in the recruitment and selection process on the grounds of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, transgender, including those with non-binary identities, religion or belief or pregnancy and maternity.

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.