Deputy Head (Pastoral)

Deputy Head (Pastoral)

The Senior Management Team is comprised of the Senior Deputy Head (Staff and Special projects ), Deputy Head (Pastoral),  Deputy Head (Academic), Bursar, Heads of Section (Sixth Form, Senior School and Lower School), Head of the Preparatory Department and the  Assistant Head of Teaching, Learning and Research.  The Deputy Heads have secretarial support.    

The Deputy Head (Pastoral) will have responsibility for all pastoral matters, including safeguarding, and for some aspects of the day-to-day running of the School, such as the organization of Prize Day and the oversight of all Educational Visits.   He or she will also have some additional responsibilities, which will be determined based on the successful candidate’s strengths and interests.   

The Deputy Head (Pastoral) will play a key role on the Senior Management Team and contribute to all aspects of planning, organisation, administration and management of the school and in the review, development and implementation of policy. The Deputy Head (Pastoral) will take school assemblies regularly.    

While the Senior Deputy will usually deputise for the Headmistress, the Deputy Heads Pastoral and Academic may be required to deputise for the Headmistress as appropriate on occasions. All three deputies work very closely together, giving each other mutual support in all aspects of school management and in leading the school’s development.  The Deputy Head (Pastoral) will also deputise for the Deputy Head (Staff) or Deputy Head (Academic) in their absence, performing whatever tasks may be necessary.   

The Deputy Head (Pastoral), with the Senior Deputy Head (Staff) and the Deputy Head (Academic), will be responsible for the smooth daily running of the school, maintaining the City of London School for Girls’ good reputation as a friendly, supportive, ambitious, well-ordered and highly academic environment.  It is expected that the Deputy Head (Pastoral) will be a strong presence around the school and at a wide variety of school activities and events.    

The Deputy Head Pastoral is responsible for the line management of the Deputy Head’s secretary, the attendance officer, the nurse, the counsellors, the Head of SEND and the Heads of Section.   

The Deputy Head (Pastoral)’s broad areas of responsibilities are listed below.  It is also expected that responsibilities will evolve over time given the particular strengths and interests of the successful candidate.  

The Deputy Head (Pastoral) should also take on any other responsibilities as the Headmistress may from time to time reasonably determine. The school operates a 40 period week and the Deputy Head (Pastoral) is likely to teach between 10 - 12 periods per week.      

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY  

General   

• To contribute to the fulfilment of the aims and maintenance of the ethos of the school, by performing a range of managerial, administrative and developmental roles.  

• To deputise for the Deputy Heads (Senior and Academic) and for the Headmistress in their absence, performing whatever tasks may be necessary in this connection.  

• To support the Headmistress in the review, development and implementation of policy.  

• To keep the Headmistress fully informed of anything she needs to know and to warn of incipient problems.   

• To take school assemblies regularly.  

• To have responsibility for all arrangements for the smooth functioning of school events.  

• To be responsible for official census and survey returns such as the DFE and ISI Annual Censuses   

• To undertake any tasks that are reasonably requested by the Headmistress.   

Pastoral Care and Discipline  

• To act as the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and have responsibility for staff and governor training in safeguarding matters.  

• To take overall responsibility for the provision, development, supervision and strategic planning of an effective pastoral system, including line management of Heads of Sections.   

• To chair and set agendas for the half termly Heads of Section meetings and for the regular meetings with the broader pastoral team (SEND, counsellors, nurse, pastoral).   

• To line manage the school nurse and the school counsellors and ensure that they work to support the pastoral team effectively.   

• To ensure that there is firm and consistent enforcement of school rules and policies (e.g. on uniform, behaviour, and punctuality).  

• To oversee all matters of School Discipline, maintaining an atmosphere which is friendly, but disciplined, considerate and purposeful. All serious disciplinary matters must be referred to the Headmistress and the Deputy Head (Pastoral) should work closely with her in all matters relating to discipline.  

• To be a visible presence in the school taking action against unacceptable behaviour where necessary and supporting staff on duty.  

• To take responsibility for supervising adequate attendance registers, and to line mange the Attendance Officer.