Assistant Head: Pastoral and Safeguarding

An enthusiastic, emotionally intelligent and experienced pastoral leader is required for the exciting new role of Assistant Head: Pastoral and Safeguarding at Harrogate Ladies’ College and Highfield (the School) from April or September 2023.

The post holder will be passionate about ensuring that all pupils at the School can flourish whether they are 2 or 18. Their particular focus will be on the safeguarding and the pastoral development of pupils. This is a non-teaching role which would be suitable for a teacher, a mental health or safeguarding professional with relevant experience.

Emotional intelligence, vision and enthusiasm are essential qualities for the Assistant Head: Pastoral and Safeguarding of Harrogate Ladies’ College and Highfield (the School). The School’s aims speak of inspiring and nurturing pupils ‘so as to engender in them a deep passion for learning and a love of life’ and visitors to the School will see that every member of the community celebrates this vision and endeavours to live out the challenge ‘to be the best that we can be’. This is as true for the staff as it is for the pupils as we all strive to learn and develop. This new role presents an exciting opportunity to take overall responsibility for safeguarding, which is at the heart of the Schools aims, for the whole community 2-18.

Located on the beautiful ‘Duchy Estate’ in the centre of Harrogate, the School enjoys 22 acres of land. The School is a Christian foundation for day and boarding girls aged 11-18 and is one of the 4 ‘Allied Schools’ (the others being Canford, Stowe and Wrekin). Highfield Preparatory School for boys and girls 2-11 lies at the heart of the School; it is led by its own Head and overseen by the Principal.

Day pupils come from the surrounding area with school minibuses travelling daily from Leeds, Ilkley, Skipton, Ripon and Wetherby. Boarders come from the UK and over 28 countries overseas. Our pupil body is diverse in terms of socioeconomic, cultural and academic background but every pupil shares a common wish to fulfil their potential.

The role

This is a key role at the School with lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection (including online safety) for all pupils aged 2-18. The Assistant Head: Pastoral and Safeguarding will take part in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings, and contribute to the assessment of children; they will manage a team of DDSLs and make referrals. They will be a visionary pastoral leader and inspiring manager who is robust, flexible, with a strong sense of humour and whose primary motivation is to ensure the very best outcomes for the pupils of the School.

Accountability and Structure

The Assistant Head: Pastoral and Safeguarding is accountable to the Principal through the Senior Deputy Head. The post holder will play a key role within the pastoral team, working closely with all staff in delivering high quality pastoral care.