Assistant Headteacher - Pastoral

Hurst Lodge School is an independent, child-centered setting where every student is given the opportunity to flourish both academically and personally. The school provides a nurturing, inclusive environment where the needs of students are at the forefront of all decisions. Most of our students have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and have come from larger mainstream settings earlier in their educational journey. With a strong emphasis on academic rigor, alongside excellent co-curricular opportunities, including a broad range of trips and visits, Hurst Lodge School is committed to providing a well-rounded education. Our thriving creative arts department works in harmony with the academic curriculum, ensuring that each student receives the support and opportunities they need to thrive. As a forward-thinking SEND school, we are dedicated to providing high-quality education that is both challenging and inspiring for all students.

As a result of exponential growth we are seeking an Assistant Headteacher - Pastoral.

Staff Wellbeing and Benefits: At Hurst Lodge School, we recognise the importance of staff wellbeing and strive to create a supportive and balanced working environment. Our staff enjoy a range of benefits designed to promote work-life balance and overall wellbeing.

We are committed to fostering a healthy and sustainable work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of our staff.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Year 6-7 Transition:

• Lead and manage the transition process for students moving from Year 6 to Year 7, ensuring a smooth and supportive transition into senior school, working alongside the Head of Admissions and Deputy Head (Woodlands).
• Develop and implement effective strategies and programmes to support Year 6 students and their families during this critical period.
• Monitor the academic, social, and emotional adjustment of Year 7 students, providing targeted interventions where necessary.

2. Nurture Provision:

• Oversee the operation of the school’s nurture provision, ensuring it provides appropriate support to students with additional pastoral needs.
• Work closely with the Head of Nurture Provision to develop tailored support plans, ensuring students’ needs are met in a nurturing environment.
• Ensure that students in the nurture provision have access to a balanced curriculum and additional pastoral support to meet their individual needs

3. House System:

• Lead the development and implementation of the House system, promoting community, belonging, and healthy competition across the school.
• Ensure the House system is fully integrated into the school’s pastoral activities, fostering engagement and a sense of achievement for all students.
• Build strong relationships between House leaders, staff, and students to support positive behaviours and school spirit.

4. Pastoral Systems and Processes:

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous review of effective pastoral systems and processes to support student wellbeing, behaviour, and academic progress.
• Ensure that pastoral support systems are in place to meet the needs of all students, focusing on mental health, attendance, and behaviour management.
• Regularly review and evaluate the effectiveness of these systems, adapting them as needed to improve student outcomes.

5. Behaviour and Wellbeing:

• Oversee the collection, analysis, and use of behaviour and wellbeing data to inform pastoral strategies and interventions.
• Monitor trends in behaviour and wellbeing, developing proactive strategies to address concerns before they escalate.
• Use data to track student progress in terms of behaviour, attendance, and emotional wellbeing, and to guide intervention strategies.
• Lead or support the design and implementation of health and wellbeing programmes for students.
• Promote a whole-school approach to wellbeing, including physical health, mental health, and social emotional learning.
• Designated teacher for looked after children.

6. Inclusion and Attendance:

• Lead initiatives to improve student attendance, working with relevant staff to monitor attendance data and identify areas for improvement.
• Oversee the school’s inclusion strategies, ensuring that students with a range of SEND needs are supported effectively within the school community.
• Work closely with the Inclusion Manager and Attendance Lead to ensure that all students are engaged and included, with appropriate interventions in place where necessary.
• Support the SEND department with ensuring any alternative provisions are robust and effective.
• Monitor the impact of interventions to improve whole school attendance.
• Work with external agencies (e.g., social services, mental health professionals) to support students in need of additional interventions.

7. Oversight of Safeguarding and DSL:

• Provide strategic oversight of safeguarding across the school, ensuring that all safeguarding procedures are followed rigorously.
• Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to ensure that safeguarding practices are maintained to the highest standard.
• Support the DSL in training staff on safeguarding policies and procedures, and act as a point of contact for safeguarding concerns.

8. Line Management of Key Staff:

• Provide line management and support to the DSL and Attendance Lead, Behaviour and Culture Lead, Personal Development and Wellbeing Lead, Inclusion Manager, and Head of Nurture Provision.
• Conduct performance reviews, set targets, and support professional development for line-managed staff.
• Ensure that line-managed staff are effectively supporting students and meeting the school’s pastoral and inclusion objectives.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Proven track record of successful teaching and leadership in a secondary school setting.
• Significant experience in leading pastoral care, including managing transition, behaviour, and wellbeing.
• Experience working with students with SEND and their families.
• Proven experience of line management and leading teams of staff.

Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of current safeguarding practices and procedures.
• Ability to inspire and motivate staff and students, fostering positive relationships and behaviours.
• Proficiency in using data to guide decision-making and improve outcomes in behaviour, wellbeing, and inclusion.
• High level of emotional intelligence and the ability to manage sensitive and complex pastoral issues.
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills, with a proactive approach to managing challenges.
• Strong ability to create a supportive, inclusive, and positive school culture.
• Knowledge of current trends in student wellbeing, mental health, and behaviour management.

The closing date for this position will be Thursday, 8th May. Interviews will be held on the 13th and 14th May.

Hurst Lodge is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of the young people in our care and as such applicants will be required to provide references and undergo a number of safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS.