Hours of work - 1FTE, temporary sick cover until at least the Spring Term of 2027 with potential of extension.
Start Date: 10 August 2026 - applicants must be available to commence employment on this date.
Further Information: https://apply.schooltalent.com/members/modules/job/detail.php?record=2650
Role overview
The Deputy Head (Pastoral) is a key member of the Executive and Senior Management Team, responsible for leading the pastoral care, wellbeing, and personal development of pupils across the school, including overall responsibility for the leadership and strategic development of boarding.
Given the critical nature of this position in ensuring continuity of safeguarding and pastoral leadership, the successful candidate will be expected to take up post on 10 August 2026 in preparation for the start of the academic year.
Key responsibilities
Strategic leadership
* Lead the School’s pastoral vision and values, ensuring a culture of care, respect, and high expectations.
* Oversee and develop the School’s pastoral systems, policies, and procedures, ensuring they are effective and fit for purpose.
* Drive the strategic development of boarding, maintaining the highest standards of pastoral care and pupil welfare.
* Promote an inclusive and supportive school environment that prioritises pupil wellbeing and personal growth.
Pastoral and wellbeing leadership
* Provide leadership and oversight of safeguarding, ensuring rigorous enforcement of child protection policies and liaising with external authorities as necessary.
* Support the personal and social development of pupils through a robust tutorial and wellbeing programme (Ad Vitam).
* Oversee the behaviour, attendance, and discipline policies to ensure consistency across the school. Develop and implement initiatives to enhance pupil resilience, mental health, and wellbeing.
* Work with the medical centre, Wellbeing Hub and pastoral staff to provide high-quality health and emotional support.
Boarding leadership
* Provide strategic oversight of all aspects of boarding, ensuring the highest standards of care.
* Line manage and support Hsms, ensuring best practice in boarding provision.
* Oversee compliance with national boarding standards (CARE), ensuring all statutory requirements are met and documented through regular inspections and reviews.
* Foster a warm and supportive boarding community, integrating boarding life within the wider school.
* Oversee the House development plans for each boarding house.
* Publish and review the School’s Boarding Handbook on an annual basis.
Staff leadership and development
* Lead and manage all pastoral and boarding staff, ensuring the promotion of professional development opportunities and provide training and guidance for Hsms, Heads of Year, Assistant Child Protection, Leads and pastoral staff.
* Support and develop a culture of professional dialogue, high expectations, and accountability.
Pupil experience and parental engagement
* Serve as the key point of contact for pastoral concerns, working closely with pupils, staff and parents.
* Ensure effective communication between School and home regarding relevant pastoral matters.
* Develop initiatives that strengthen the partnership between School, parents, and external agencies.
* Oversee the induction, transition, and integration of new pupils into the School Community.
* Develop well-established channels of communication for pupil voice across the School.
Operational and compliance responsibilities
* Be the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Lead.
* Ensure all safeguarding and child protection policies are strictly adhered to, conducting regular training and audits to maintain high compliance standards.
* Work closely with external inspectors (CARE) and regulatory bodies (HMIE) to maintain the highest compliance standards.
* Contribute to the strategic development of School policies and whole-School decision-making.
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