. This role does not offer sponsorship.
Are you ready to make a real difference in the lives of young people? Bluebank School — part of the Acorn Education family — is opening its doors in January 2026, and we’re looking for a passionate, dynamic, and compassionate Pastoral Lead to help us shape this exciting new journey.
Our brand-new co-educational school will support up to 60 pupils aged 11–16 with complex needs, including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. We’re building more than a school — we’re creating a nurturing community where every young person feels safe, valued, and empowered to reach their potential.
About the Role
As our Pastoral Lead, you’ll be at the heart of everything we do to support the wellbeing and personal growth of our pupils. You’ll lead the pastoral team, champion safeguarding and inclusion, and drive positive behaviour and emotional resilience across the school.
From developing personalised care plans to coordinating support with families and external agencies, you’ll play a vital role in creating an environment where young people can thrive both emotionally and academically.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Lead & Safeguard: Take the lead as the school’s Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), ensuring every child’s safety and wellbeing are at the forefront.
2. Inspire & Guide: Develop and embed effective behaviour support and pastoral care strategies; mentor and empower staff to deliver best practice.
3. Support & Empower Students: Provide direct support to pupils in crisis, promote emotional regulation, and coordinate multi-agency interventions.
4. Drive Standards: Contribute to school policy, monitor pastoral data, and uphold high-quality assurance and compliance standards.
5. Champion School Values: Be an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, promoting a trauma-informed, inclusive culture where every student matters.
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking someone who is:
6. Experienced in pastoral care, safeguarding, or SEMH support
7. Confident in leading, coaching, and mentoring staff teams
8. Knowledgeable about safeguarding legislation and best practice
9. Analytical, with the ability to interpret behaviour and attendance data
10. Trained (or willing to train) in trauma-informed or restorative approaches
11. A strong communicator who builds trust and positive relationships
12. Committed to inclusion, compassion, and continuous improvement
13. Holder of a full UK driving licence
Supporting Statement Guidance
Along with your application, please include a short supporting statement telling us:
14. A little about yourself and what excites you about this role
15. Why you believe you’re the right fit for Bluebank School, referring back to the job description
16. The key skills and experiences you’ll bring
17. How you’ll make a difference to our students and community if appointed to the role
About us
Bluebank School is a brand-new Acorn Education provision set to open in January 2026 in Whittington Moor, Derbyshire. The co-educational school will cater for up to 60 pupils aged 11 - 16, offering specialist support for children and young people with complex needs, including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties.
We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.
Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.
Why join Acorn Education?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
18. Life Assurance
19. Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
20. “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
21. A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
22. 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
23. Cycle to Work Schemes
24. Electric Car Purchase Scheme
25. Critical illness cover
26. Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!*
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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