Deputy Head Pastoral

The Headmaster, along with the Governors of Strathallan School, is seeking to appoint an outstanding candidate to the role of Deputy Head Pastoral.

This is a full-time post for an experienced and dedicated boarding practitioner who is passionate about outstanding pastoral care to work with the Headmaster and other members of the Senior Management Team from January 2024. The successful applicant will lead pastoral care throughout the Senior School along with other essential duties relating to compliance and safeguarding. Their discretion and integrity will be crucial and they will be able to lead by example, committed to maintaining and promoting the all-round, inclusive ethos of Strathallan for the pupils, parents and staff.

At Strathallan, we believe passionately in an all-round education and we work extremely hard to balance the main priority of academic work with the extensive social, extra-curricular and sporting opportunities that are on offer. This is not always easy, but it is central to what we do and the successful candidate will be expected to play a key role in our extra-curricular, social and sporting activities.

This vacancy might suit candidates who already have experience of such a post, or individuals currently in middle management seeking their first senior management role. 

The post-holder is expected to uphold the values and ethos of Strathallan School and act as an ambassador for the School. The Deputy Head Pastoral reports directly to the Headmaster and will play a full part in every aspect of school life. The primary focus of this role is the child-protection, care, safeguarding and welfare of Strathallan’s pupils, along with the overall management of the School’s pastoral system.

Specific pastoral management responsibilities:

Safeguarding and pastoral matters:

• Act as the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and oversee all aspects of safeguarding children across the school along with the Head of Strathallan Prep School and Head of Sixth Form.
• Liaising with the Care Inspectorate, Perth & Kinross Council, HMIe Inspectors, the Scottish Social Services Council and community police amongst other agencies as and when required.
• Lead, monitor and implement all aspects of pastoral provision at Strathallan School by monitoring and implementing thorough and effective approaches for supporting senior pupils.
• Understand, oversee and enforce Strathallan’s policies and procedures on pupil welfare, pupil conduct, safe-guarding and the Prevent Duty, anti-bullying, use of social media and others as appropriate.
• Lead, monitor and assist the Senior Deputy Head in line managing pastoral staff, in particular the HSMs, House-matrons, Tutors and Medical team. This will include (and is not limited to) the scheduling and sharing of information via GIRFEC meetings as required.
• Co-ordinate pastoral care and PSD programme in conjunction with the Head of Sixth Form, Chaplain and Health Centre, meeting regularly and sharing information as appropriate.
• Ensure clear lines of responsibility and communication for raising and addressing pupil concerns/needs from form tutors to the Housemasters/Housemistress and upwards to the Senior Deputy Head and Headmaster.
• Contribute to and promote Equality & Diversity at Strathallan, supporting our diverse community in accordance with the School’s values, particularly respect and kindness.
• Along with the Senior Deputy Head and Head of Sixth Form, meet weekly with the School Authority.
• Meet on a weekly basis with the Head of Strathallan Prep School to discuss any pastoral concerns.
• Promptly investigate any internal or external incidents/complaints relating to pupil behaviour or potential bullying in conjunction with the Senior Deputy Head and ultimately, the Headmaster. Take appropriate action following such investigations which may include detention, suspension or exclusion.
• Liaise with and contact appropriate departments such as Learning Support/EAL with regard to any pupil who may have a specific behavioural need. Working with those departments, co-ordinate a programme of support with the form tutors and Housemasters/Housemistresses.
• Play a prominent role in greeting prospective families, welcoming them to Strathallan and providing them with comprehensive pastoral information.
• Work in conjunction with the Admissions Manager to identify specific pupil needs or child-safeguarding concerns at the admissions stage and manage all stakeholders ensuring that appropriate pastoral care is in place prior to the pupil’s arrival at Strathallan.
• Act as the point of contact for pupils and their families who have particular needs on an ongoing basis, and support them as appropriate, in agreement with the form tutors and Housemasters/Housemistresses.
• Assist the Headmaster and Senior Deputy Head with preparations and arrangements for the Governors’ Pastoral Committee Meetings and associated papers.
• Ensure safer recruitment best practice and take part in the interview and appointment process for teaching and academic staff. 

Information sharing and CPD:

• Monitor and oversee the iSAMS ‘Wellbeing Manager’, to ensure its effective use; that data is accurate, current, secure and only held for the purpose and length required; that staff are appropriately trained to access and record information; and that iSAMS ‘Wellbeing Manager’ effectively contributes to the pastoral care of pupils, leading to positive outcomes for our young people.
• Deliver and/or arrange staff training to ensure that all staff are supported appropriately for their pastoral roles and that ongoing professional development is in place.
• In conjunction with other members of SMT, organise and contribute to new staff induction days plus In-service training days. Ensure that bi-annual Child Protection and PREVENT training is delivered and recorded appropriately for compliance and inspection purposes.
• Ensure that all child protection records are maintained and updated where appropriate.
• Ensure the form tutors and Housemasters/Housemistresses are communicating with parents efficiently, effectively and positively.
• Deliver regular child protection and safeguarding training for all staff, governors and volunteers to ensure training is kept up to date.
• Attend Perth & Kinross Child Protection Meetings on behalf of the School
• Attend ‘Looked after Children’ Review meetings
• Ensure that child protection information is shared when appropriate and meet Child protection leads at other Schools when new pupils arrive at Strathallan.

Please see attached job description for full list of responsibilities and person specification.

Candidates should submit the following as part of their application:

• A completed Application Form (available on the school’s website)
• A full CV
• The names of two referees with their contact details
• A covering letter, addressed to the headmaster

Applications can be electronically submitted via email or posted. Applications should be emailed to by 12 noon on Friday 21th April 2023. Long-list interviews will be held week commencing 8th May 2023 with short-list interviews being held on the 19th and 20th May 2023.

Applications by post should be sent to:

HR Manager, Strathallan School, Forgandenny, Perthshire, PH2 9EG.

Further details of the School are available on the School’s Website www.strathallan.co.uk