IT Support Lead

The Bishop Fraser Trust; Bolton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD opportunities

Career progression

Wellbeing resources

EDI initiatives

25 days annual leave

Healthcare plan

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

The Bishop Fraser Trust in Bolton invites applications for an experienced Trust IT Support Lead to oversee IT support across our schools, leading a small team and coordinating with central IT. This role focuses on reliable, secure IT systems for staff and students.

You will drive IT strategy within the One Network project, using Microsoft 365 suite including Intune, Entra ID, Windows Autopilot and SharePoint, mentor IT engineers, and ensure high standards of service across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of IT support at Canon Slade School, ensuring staff and students receive a reliable, responsive and professional service.
• Coordinate the school's IT provision, line manage an IT Engineer, and promote consistent use of Trust-approved technologies.
• Contribute technical expertise to Trust projects and improvements, working within established standards and priorities.
• Develop tactical plans to address IT needs and improve efficiency.
• Enhance IT support for staff and students, ensuring effective issue resolution.
• Support and oversee the career development of the IT Support Technician.
• Contribute to Trust-wide IT projects aligned with strategic goals.
• Manage maintenance, repair, and inventory of IT assets.
• Promote collaboration with Network Managers and IT staff and pursue professional development.
• Ensure compliance with Academy and Trust IT policies and report concerns as needed.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, proactive and technically capable Trust IT Support Lead to oversee and coordinate IT support services across our schools. Working closely with the central IT team, school leadership teams and technical colleagues, you will play a key role in ensuring that staff and students benefit from reliable, secure and effective IT systems.

As the Trust IT Support Lead, you will provide technical leadership, manage support priorities and escalations, maintain high standards of service delivery, and support the development of IT processes and infrastructure across the Trust. You will also help mentor and support IT engineers, promote best practice, and ensure that technical issues are resolved efficiently to minimise disruption to teaching, learning and day-to-day school operations.

This is an exciting time to join our IT team. Following the transition to a single Microsoft 365 tenancy, the Trust is focusing on developing a trust-wide “One Network” infrastructure. You will have the opportunity to take a leading role in these developments, working with enterprise-grade technologies including Microsoft Intune, Entra ID, Windows Autopilot and SharePoint, while contributing to strategic IT projects and driving consistency across our schools.

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical knowledge with excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills. You will be confident managing competing priorities, supporting colleagues across multiple sites, and identifying opportunities to improve systems, processes and the overall user experience.

This is an excellent opportunity for an IT professional ready to take the next step into a leadership role, with greater responsibility, the opportunity to influence Trust-wide IT services, and the chance to make a meaningful difference to the educational experience of staff and students across The Bishop Fraser Trust

WE ARE SEEKING A PASSIONATE CANDIDATE WHO:

• To lead the day-to-day delivery of IT support at Canon Slade School, ensuring that staff and students receive a reliable, responsive and professional service that supports teaching, lessons and school operations.
• The postholder will combine hands‑on technical expertise with responsibility for coordinating the school’s IT provision and line managing an IT Engineer. They will take ownership of service delivery, promote consistent use of Trust-approved technologies and working practices, and ensure that colleagues receive a helpful, professional and equitable service.
• As part of the wider Trust IT team, the postholder will contribute technical expertise to projects and improvements across the Trust, working collaboratively within established technical standards and strategic priorities. Ensure reliable IT operations at the primary academy and provide support across the Trust.
• Develop and implement tactical plans to address IT needs and improve efficiency
• Enhance IT support for staff and students, ensuring effective issue resolution
• Manage and oversee the career development of the IT Support Technician
• Support and contribute to Trust‑wide IT projects, aligning with strategic goals
• Manage the maintenance, repair, and inventory of IT assets
• Promote collaboration with Network Managers and IT staff, and pursue professional development
• Ensure compliance with Academy and Trust IT policies and report concerns as needed

IN RETURN, WE OFFER:

• Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Access to National College training, subject‑specific CPD, leadership pathwaysand technical mentoring from experienced colleagues.
• Career Progression: Clear pathways for growth, from early careers to leadership roles. We use a ‘touchbase’ informal approach to focus on professional development as well as an annual career conversation with your manager
• Wellbeing & Support: Leadership training focused on wellbeing, mental health resources, and staff networks.
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI): Commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, with ongoing EDI training and initiatives.
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days for all year-round support staff. This increases to 28 days after 5 years
• A paid premium to a Healthcare Cash Plan to claim back contributions towards dental, optical and other medical costs via UK Healthcare.
• 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

We reserve the right to close the recruitment early should sufficient suitable candidate applications be received.

The Bishop Fraser Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to child protection screening including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and also past employment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer. References will be sought prior to interview.

CLOSING DATE: Thursday 19 th November 2026 @ 12.00pm

At The Bishop Fraser Trust, we aim to recruit outstanding people who have the right attitude.

If you have a love for teaching and are passionate about seeing children succeed, we would love to hear from you!

For our part, we will provide excellent development opportunities, leadership training and the time to develop all of this so that you can be the best you can be.

The Bishop Fraser Trust Central Team

Emily Andrews

The Bishop Fraser Trust Central Team

Emily Andrews

[e-mail]

Bolton St Catherine's Academy

Stitch-Mi-Lane

Bolton

Bolton

BL2 4HU

The Bishop Fraser Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to child protection screening including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and also past employment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer. References will be sought prior to interview.