Assistant Head Pastoral

This represents a wonderful opportunity for an outstanding candidate to become the leader of pastoral care and safeguarding of pupils in a thriving, large and very happy girls’ prep school, which is constantly focused on delivering a rounded, inspiring education for its girls.  

The post would suit a middle or senior leader, either in the state or independent sector, looking for a significant career challenge. Alongside the Head and the current Senior Leadership Team, she/he would be responsible for leading a highly motivated and able staff of over sixty to fulfil its strategic objectives.  

This is a demanding and wide-ranging post, incorporating within it the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (with the responsibilities required of this role outlined in KCSIE 2023). At its core, the remit requires knowledge of and passion for the pastoral care of children; rewards and sanctions systems and experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead would be desirable, though not essential. The appointee will have outstanding leadership skills, driven by an unwavering commitment to education and the nurturing of a supportive environment for our girls. They must also possess the ability to engage effectively and proactively with all stakeholders in our thriving school community.  

Pembridge Hall is an independent girls’ preparatory school (ages 4 – 11) of 460 girls set in a tranquil residential square in Notting Hill. Pembridge prepares its pupils for many of the top day and boarding senior schools in the country and therefore works at a level significantly above National Curriculum expectations. It is part of the Alpha Plus Group of Schools.   

Pembridge Hall and the Alpha Plus Group are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and employees of Pembridge Hall are expected to share this commitment. The protection of our students’ welfare is the responsibility of all staff within Alpha Plus Group Schools and individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of our organisation. All members of staff must have an enhanced DBS and prohibition order clearance, be aware of and follow the safeguarding, Prevent Duty, anti-bullying and behaviour and discipline policies of the school, and partake in training on safeguarding, prevent duty and personal welfare. 

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. 

School Vision: Pembridge Hall recognises that our girls will enter a complex and ever-changing world which befits emotionally intelligent, resilient girls who can embrace the wonderful opportunities available to them. Pembridge girls love coming to school and gain an appreciation of wider society and the diversity of nationalities, faiths and languages represented by Pembridge families. We believe that creativity and independence of thought are as integral to the girls’ development as traditional forms of learning. 

The duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Head Pastoral are to collaborate with senior and middle leaders in establishing a strategy to ensure that Pembridge Hall provides an outstanding education for the girls in all aspects of school life. Furthermore, as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, she/he is expected to facilitate the implementation of strategy and to ensure that targets are reviewed and assessed appropriately. Assistant Head Pastoral is expected to encourage a positive working culture throughout the school in all aspects of her/his remit, leading by example. 

The Assistant Head Pastoral is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and is responsible for leading in all matters relating to safeguarding and child protection in the school. 

Attitudes:

• To be professional at all times and to set an outstanding example to staff in creating a positive working culture, conducive to providing the best education possible for the girls.  
• To convey a sense of unity of senior leadership vision to the staff at all times. 
• In all areas of the remit, to strive for excellence in fulfilling the school’s vision and aims. 

Safeguarding:

• To be the focal point of guidance for the school in all matters relating to safeguarding. 
• In collaboration with the Inspired Global Head of Safeguarding, to ensure the school’s Safeguarding Policy is up to date and reviewed regularly. 
• To refer cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the relevant investigating agencies. 
• To ensure that staff are appropriately trained in all matters relating to child protection. 
• To monitor records of pupils in the school on MyConcern and to ensure that this is maintained, and updated, as necessary. 
• When children leave the school, to ensure that their destination schools are made aware of any safeguarding or child protection issues. 

Pastoral Care: 

• To oversee and regularly review all pastoral systems in place for the school, including rewards, achievements and sanctions. 
• To liaise with staff on all matters relating to pastoral issues affecting a child, ensuring that accurate records of concerns and meetings are kept. 
• To meet with parents of girls across the school in relation to their Pastoral Care.  
• To lead on all aspects of anti-bullying policy and practice in the school. 
• To lead on tracking the absence record of children and taking appropriate action where necessary, including contacting parents. 
• To ensure that all policies and practices relating to the welfare, health and safety of children at the school are relevant and up to date. 
• To be a member of the Health and Safety Committee and to attend meetings accordingly. 
• To oversee the House system and to ensure that the House identity of each child contributes to a rounded educational experience. 
• To chair meetings of the School Council and Food Council and to ensure that pupil voice is heard by the leadership team and maintains relevance within the school community. 
• To oversee the charitable fundraising carried out by the school by establishing and maintaining links with appropriate charities. 

Wellbeing:

• To coordinate on Wellbeing across the school: developing strategies for maintaining high standards of pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing.

Organisation and Administration:

• To oversee the planning and delivery of the PSHEE curriculum throughout the school. 
• To run the ‘STEER’ tracking system to ensure pupils wellbeing is tracked and responded to. 
• To lead on Staff Absence procedures.  

External and Parent Relationships:

• To maintain links with the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) as appointed by the Local Authority Children’s Social Care Services and ensure engagement with relevant agencies, including the LADO, MASH team, Police etc.  
• To maintain links with the community through regular contact with St. Matthew’s Church and various local charitable organisations, e.g. the Kensington & Chelsea Foundation. 
• To communicate with parents as and when appropriate regarding pastoral and safeguarding matters. 
• To lead workshops and information events for parents on pastoral related issues. 

Staff Meetings and Briefings:

• To attend whole staff, SMT and SLT meetings, contributing positively, where appropriate. 
• Whilst not necessary to attend all academic-oriented meetings, to keep abreast of broad academic strategy and thereby attend such meetings periodically to this end. 

Appraisal, Performance Management and Disciplinary Procedure 

• To carry out designated appraisals as part of the annual appraisal cycle. 
• To take part in performance management of members of staff when requested by the Head. 
• To be involved in the disciplinary process of staff as and when requested by the Head. 

Staff Recruitment:

• In collaboration with the Head, to analyse future staffing needs and to create an associated staffing strategy. 
• To take part in the recruitment process, in terms of lesson observations, tours of the buildings and interviews as designated by the Head. 

Attendance at Events:

• To attend all events, both internal and external, as requested by the Head, which link to the school and the job description specifically. 

Preparation for Inspection:

• To work as part of the team which strategically prepares the school for ISI inspection, particularly in areas which pertain directly to the job description. 

Note: This job description is indicative of the duties and responsibilities of the post but does not form part of any contract of employment. All jobs within the school evolve over time and their features vary from year to year. 

ASSISTANT HEAD PASTORAL - Person Specification 

This will be assessed through the following channels: application documentation, professional references, during interview. 

Qualifications 

Essential: 

• Honours degree in a relevant subject 
• Teaching qualification together with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) 

Desirable:

•  Advanced Safeguarding training 
• Senior or middle leadership qualifications and training 
• An understanding of Child Protection legislation 

Experience  

Essential: 

• Experience of leadership at either a middle or senior level within a prep or primary school setting 
• Experience of mentoring and supporting colleagues 

Desirable: 

• Experience of being a DSL or DDSL 
• Experience of effectively implementing a school’s rewards and sanctions policy 

Skills 

Essential: 

• Strategic management skills  
• A highly effective oral communicator, both one-to-one and to large audiences 
• An ability to contribute both strategically as well as tactically in a school setting 
• An ability to establish a natural rapport and constructive, respectful and trusting relationships with children and their families 
• Expertise in communicating with young children, both individually and in a group setting 
• Ability to develop and maintain close links and work effectively with other agencies  

Desirable: 

• An ability to motivate colleagues and help them to maximise their potential 
• An ability to bring people together with disparate views, leading to finding solutions collaboratively 

Knowledge 

Essential: 

• A detailed understanding of child development, physical and emotional wellbeing, pastoral issues and ways to support children facing difficulties  
• A working knowledge of rigorous anti-bullying policy and practice in schools 
• Knowledge and understanding of pastoral systems, including rewards, achievements and sanctions 
• Knowledge and/or understanding of the day-to-day challenges of leading a successful school 

Desirable: 

• A working knowledge of Child Protection procedures and their effective implementation 
• Knowledge and understanding of management procedures, including those related to recruitment, appraisal and performance management 
• Good working knowledge of health and safety issues affecting schools Knowledge/experience of girls only education 

Personal competencies and qualities 

Essential:

•  Credibility in post in the eyes of staff and parents 
• Enthusiasm and a positive outlook 
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a team 
• Creativity in problem solving together with a willingness to take on or try new approaches and ideas 
• Reliability, loyalty and integrity 
• Excellent personal organisation 
• Good attendance record 

Desirable: 

• Ability to work under pressure 
• Sense of humour 
• Flexibility 
• An ability and willingness to be self-reflective 

Pembridge Hall is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and as an employee of Pembridge Hall you are expected to share this commitment. 

The protection of our students’ welfare is the responsibility of all staff within Pembridge Hall School and individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of our organisation.