Pastoral Lead (Year Lead)
Location: Preston, Lancashire (PR area)
Salary: Up to £35,000 (Dependent on experience)
Contract: Full-Time, Long-Term (Permanent potential)
Start Date: Monday, 13th April 2026
The Opportunity
Are you a champion for young people? Do you have the vision to lead a year group and the grit to handle the daily challenges of secondary education?
Our Preston-based Academy is seeking an exceptional Pastoral Lead to join our middle leadership team. This is not a classroom teaching role; it is a dedicated, high-impact position focused on student welfare, behaviour, and attendance. You will be the bridge between home and school, ensuring every student in your care has the emotional and social foundation to succeed academically.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership: Own the pastoral identity of your assigned year group, driving high standards of behaviour and a culture of mutual respect.
Intervention & Support: Identify "at-risk" students and implement early intervention strategies, working closely with the SENCO and Safeguarding team.
Parental Engagement: Act as the first point of contact for families, building strong, restorative relationships even in challenging circumstances.
Attendance & Punctuality: Lead initiatives to improve attendance figures and reduce persistent absenteeism within your cohort.
Multi-Agency Liaison: Collaborate with external partners, including Social Care, CAMHS, and local Preston youth services.
Who You Are
The "Firm but Fair" Expert: You have a proven track record of managing behaviour in a large secondary setting.
The Relatable Role Model: You can communicate effectively with teenagers from all backgrounds, earning their respect through consistency and empathy.
The Professional: You are highly organised and can manage the heavy administrative load that comes with safeguarding and incident reporting (CPOMS experience is a plus).
The Local Knowledge: Ideally, you understand the Preston community and the specific challenges/opportunities facing our students.
Why Join Our Academy?
Leadership Pathway: We provide bespoke CPD for aspiring Senior Leaders.
Supportive Environment: You will work alongside a dedicated team of non-teaching pastoral staff and a proactive SLT.
Preston Heritage: Be part of a school that is central to the local community, with excellent transport links across Lancashire.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a 500-word statement on "The greatest challenge facing pastoral care in 2026" to (url removed)
Closing Date: March 27, 2026
Interviews: April 1-3, 2026