Deputy Head Pastoral

We are seeking to appoint a highly talented individual who shares our Christian Catholic ethos which puts the development of children’s talents at the centre of all we do.  We are looking for a Deputy Head pastoral to join our dynamic, hardworking, committed, and forward-thinking Senior Leadership Team (SLT).  The successful applicant will enjoy working collaboratively and will have the passion to contribute to the development of our flourishing school.

In our 90th year of educating the individual at Rye, we are continuing to build a diverse, enthusiastic, and highly supportive community of teachers with a commitment to academic excellence while maintaining a first-rate provision of pastoral care.  As a member of the SLT the successful candidate will work closely with the Head, Bursar, Deputy Head Academic and Head of Prep to continue the development of the school and embed its vision for the future.

The Deputy Head Pastoral will be the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the school and will be responsible to the Head.

Accountabilities

Strategy

• Assisting the Head and Governors in developing the school’s development plan and translating the school’s vision into agreed objectives and departmental plans.
• Attending Governors’ meetings when required, and preparing reports as directed by the Head.
• Taking the lead and working with the Pastoral team to ensure the success of pastoral and wellbeing policies and procedures, and ensuring that provision reflects the Catholic Christian Life of the school.
• Assisting the Head with recruitment of staff and working in close collaboration with the Head, Bursar and Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
• Planning for and implementing innovation in pastoral programmes and in the wellbeing of the school community.
• Helping to create a safe and healthy environment for members of the school community.

Pastoral and Wellbeing – leadership and innovation

• Working with the Head and SLT to create and deliver the strategy for wellbeing at Rye.
• As Designated Safeguarding Lead for the School, leading the wider Safeguarding Team to  ensure good practice and the wellbeing of pupils and staff at all times.
• Leading safeguarding training and working closely with Oxfordshire Safeguarding Board and other external agencies to keep abreast of developments in practice.
• Leading the Pastoral vision for the school and working with the Pastoral team to embed it throughout.
• Leading the E-Safety group and ensuring regular meetings to review and develop practice and ensure safeguarding.
• Taking responsibility for all aspects of the pastoral provision for all pupils and monitoring and evaluating its effectiveness and development.
• Leading whole school events such as Prize Giving and St Antony’s Day.
• Leading the PSHEE Co-Ordinator, Lay Chaplain, and Form Tutors to ensure continuity of  provision in PSHEE and RSE throughout the school.
• Overseeing School Council, including attending School Council and the selection of patricians (prefects).
• Being a presence around school, supporting and taking interest in events and activities, and being a positive role model for staff and pupils.
• Teaching approximately 0.3 timetable. Providing a professional model for others clearly demonstrating effective teaching and high standards of behaviour for learning, and demonstrating a personal commitment to quality and excellence.
• Overseeing the arrangements for counselling and peer mentoring in the Senior School and Sixth Form, and to liaise and meet regularly with the School Counsellor and the School Nurse.
• Recording, reviewing, and monitoring pupil behaviour and discipline logs.

Staff wellbeing

• Working with the Head, SLT and HR Manager to lead staff wellbeing throughout the school.

Leadership and Management of Others

• Chairing Pastoral meetings and line managing members of middle management and the School Nurse.
• Supporting the Head and working with the Deputy Head Academic and Head to support the deployment, motivation, and development of teaching staff to make the most of effective use of their skills, interest and experience.
• Working with the SLT and Compliance Officer to ensure compliance with ISI regulations and readiness for ISI and diocesan inspections.
• Leading by example, providing inspiration and motivation, and exemplifying the vision and values of our school.
• Attending Housemistresses’ meetings and line managing the Senior Housemistress.
• Organising cover for absent colleagues and duty rotas for teaching staff.
• Leading and continually reviewing and updating the transition programme between different phases of the school.
• Reviewing and updating all pastoral documentation, including all pastoral policies, handbooks and Prep diaries.
• Deputising for the Head in her absence.

Marketing and external links, including public occasions

• Delivering presentations at Open Events and information events in the evening or at weekends.
• Actively participating in educational outreach and promoting the school internally and externally to encourage interest in the school.
• Managing relationships between the school and uniform suppliers.
• Overseeing the transition programme for Year 7 and new pupils entering the school throughout their career.
• Promoting the whole school in a variety of different contexts, including attending marketing events where appropriate, and in interactions with parents and prospective parents and pupils.
• Building links within the local community to promote the school and grow numbers.
• Working with the Marketing Committee to create and update marketing collateral to promote the school.
• Attending school functions and events including all Parents’ Meetings.

Training and development of self and others

• Working with the Deputy Head Academic to organise and develop INSET training.
• Delivering quality assurance programmes to develop and maintain a culture of high expectations for self and others.
• Regularly reviewing own practice, setting personal targets and taking responsibility for own development.

Please see the full job description for further details of the post and the person specification.

How to apply

Applications (application form, accompanying letter and full curriculum vitae with contact details for two referees) should be addressed to the Head, Miss Joanne Croft, and sent by email to the  Human Resources Manager, Ms Ellen Phelips (ephelips@ryestantony.co.uk; 01865 229227).

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 8 March 2021.

First interviews will be held on Tuesday 16 March and final interviews will be held on Friday 19 March 2021.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.  All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including a DBS check.