Deputy Head: Pastoral

Strategic Leadership

• Lead on building and promoting an open culture of safeguarding, pupil welfare and pupil voice across the College.
• Lead/Chair the College’s pastoral and safeguarding committee and management meetings.
• Stay abreast of developments, technology and legislation in supporting the pastoral strategy and safeguarding practices at the College.
• Lead on developing and implementing the pastoral education strategy and systems across the College.

Management

• Be a senior member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Ensure that teaching staff and pupils are aware of the pastoral education strategy.
• Have responsibility for discipline and pastoral education within the College, advising the Head on the appropriate course of action when incidents arise.
• Support the Head in dealing with any concerns and complaints from parents as appropriate under the complaints structure.
• Line manage Assistant Heads, and others with pastoral responsibilities, in the implementation of the College’s pastoral education strategy and pupil wellbeing plan.
• Oversee the eight Deputy DSLs.
• Establish appropriate communications in promoting the shared vision of the College’s pastoral ethos and safeguarding interventions across the community.
• Line manage the team of Housemasters and Housemistresses and provide support with serious disciplinary matters.
• Take responsibility for the recruitment of House Tutors and College Counsellors.
• Support the other Deputy Heads and SLT to develop initiatives and enhance systems and practices in the promotion of “pupil voice”.
• Help to develop the College’s MIS to fulfil its potential, in terms of making the day-to-day management of behavioural trends and safeguarding interventions to support our pupils, easier.
• Maintain an oversight of the Pastoral Education budget and Day/Boarding House budgets.
• Develop, lead and implement staff training and professional development relevant to safeguarding and pastoral education.

Pastoral Policies & Procedures

• Responsibility for the design, development and implementation of the College’s Pastoral Education and behaviour policies and procedures, including regular reviews to ensure that they remain up to date and are consistent with emerging trends and legislative changes.

Compliance

• Working with the SLT in ensuring compliance with the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate (ISI)requirements and for developing appropriate ISI compliance and inspection preparation action plans.

Pupil Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the SLT in supporting pupils in all aspects of College life.
• Work closely with the Deputy Head: Academic to develop an environment that provides the highest standards of academic excellence, while fostering a culture of kindness and equity, and ensuring the highest standards of pupil conduct and behaviour.
• Work with Deputy Head: Academic, Heads of Departments and teaching staff to improve pupil learning outcomes.
• Liaise with the College Medical Officers and the Nurse Manager with regard to Medical Centre pupil issues.
• Ensure that the College values are upheld, and contribute to the regular review of their progress, suitability and effectiveness.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

It is envisaged that in the future the DSL responsibilities will be reassigned within the SLT.

• Act as professional lead and point of communication on all child protection and safeguarding issues at the College, including online safety.
• Lead and manage a team of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (Deputy DSLs), providing regular supervision and management of any open safeguarding and child protection cases and reported causes for concern, sharing information with the relevant members of staff, parents and appropriate agencies as deemed necessary.
• Ensure that all staff are fully trained in safeguarding and child protection.
• Ensure up-to-date safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures are in place and that they are supported by adequate reporting and recording systems.
• Advise on changes to legislation and guidance relating to safeguarding and child protection, and developing policies and procedures in response to such updates and changes.

This job description is indicative of the expected duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Head Pastoral and DSL. Given the evolving nature of behavioural management best practice this job description is fluid and would expect to alter as the College pastoral education strategy evolves.

Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment

Leadership qualities

• Significant senior school experience in leading and managing a team.
• Experience in developing strategic plans, analysing data and implementing action plans.
• Experience in providing excellent pastoral care within a school community.
• Ability to communicate a vision to staff and the wider College community with clarity and enthusiasm.
• A measured and confident decision maker.
• Ability to blend firmness, patience and empathy in dealing with challenging situations.
• Ability to identify problems and bring positive solutions and outcomes.

Operational qualities

• Qualified Teacher Status.
• A highly credible practitioner and an advocate of modern and innovative teaching and learning.
• An impressive track record of delivering excellent GCSE and A-level results.
• Exceptional levels of planning, time management and organisation.
• Line management experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Articulate and competent public speaker.
• Highly competent in the use of relevant digital learning platforms, MIS and software programmes.
• Experience of working as a DSL/Deputy DSL.

Personal behaviours

• A strong empathy and commitment to the aims, values and ethos of Epsom College.
• An inclusive approach and an ability to build positive working relationships across the entire College community.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
• Flexible and adaptable with energy, stamina and enthusiasm.
• A reflective, forward-looking approach with good self-awareness and an ability to self-evaluate.
• Able to take ownership and exercise sound judgement.
• Highly professional with integrity, diplomacy and discretion.
• Resilient and willing to go the extra mile in a busy school community.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion across the College community and beyond.

This is a full time role which is integral to the leadership and management of the College.

An attractive remuneration package is offered, commensurate with the seniority of this post; accommodation may be available and there is a generous fee remission for the staff children.

The offer of the role would be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, and Teaching Regulation Agency and other relevant checks for teaching positions in the UK, obtaining a letter of professional standing from the professional regulating authority for teachers who have worked outside the UK where appropriate, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the candidate as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, sighting of birth certificate, Enhanced Disclosure at management level and Barring check, an overseas check, if appropriate, and pre-placement medical assessment that are all satisfactory to Epsom College. Proof of entitlement to work within the United Kingdom will be required. Prior to interview, an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and publicly accessible platforms to ascertain applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on applicants that have been shortlisted.

All employees are required to ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with the College’s Health and Safety Policy. They should take reasonable care for their own Health and Safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or do not do. Staff should correctly use work items provided by the College, including personal protective equipment in accordance with training and instruction.

Anyone wishing to discuss these details further may contact the Head, Mark Lascelles, through Sophie Lawrence, Head’s PA, hmpa@epsomcollege.org.uk

Informal visits to the College will also be welcomed; please email Sophie Lawrence to arrange a convenient time.

Candidates are asked to complete the Application Form available via the link at the top of this page.

Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews and subsequent offer may occur at any stage after applications are received. We therefore invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Closing date: 12 noon, Monday 11 November 2024.