Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral and Pupils)
CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Dear prospective candidate,
Thank you for taking the time to read this booklet about the new post of Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral and Pupils) here at Sutton Valence School. The School finds itself at a fascinating point in its history. We are about to celebrate our 450th anniversary and have just launched an exciting, ambitious and pragmatic Strategic Plan called To 450 and Beyond. In order to facilitate this there will be a restructure of the leadership of the School, hence this opportunity has arisen.
It is a wonderful place to work, I can assure you. We have a hugely talented staff, inspirational young people, highly supportive parents and interested and involved alumni. We really are a strong community and the opportunity to have such an important leadership role within it will, I trust, excite you.
You will no doubt be able to find out much about us online via our website and social media channels and I look forward in due course to talking with you should you be selected to take part in the process.
With best wishes,
James Anthony Thomas MA (Cantab) MA (London) NPQH
Headmaster
Welcome
The Headmaster, James Thomas, and Head of Senior School Elect, David Sansom, are seeking to appoint a dynamic and forward-looking person to the new position of Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral and Pupils) to start in September 2025. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and passionate educationalist to lead and contribute to this essential aspect of the School as it enters its next chapter.
The headlines of the To 450 and Beyond plan can be found in the accompanying booklet.
The Role
The Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral and Pupils) will be appointed by the Headmaster of Sutton Valence School and will be responsible to the Head of Senior School. The post would suit either a Middle Leader seeking a Senior Leadership post or somebody already in a similar senior position.
Overall purpose of the job
1. To lead and develop the pastoral aspect of the Senior School so that pupils can flourish in a supportive environment now and in the future, providing clear leadership in principles, policy and practice in line with the Schools ethos.
2. Be responsible for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the pupils at the School with Safeguarding at the heart of their approach.
3. Implement and lead on the Schools policies on behaviour, discipline and anti-bullying.
4. Be responsible for the delivery of health and safety policies.
5. Foster warm and positive relationships between the School, parents and the local community.
6. Support the charitable objectives and Christian traditions of the School and its Foundation.
7. Assist the driving forward of the strategic direction of the School and be responsible for implementing aspects of the development plan.
Leadership, Management And Key Responsibilities
1. Line manage the Assistant Head (Wellbeing) and Assistant Head (Safeguarding and DSL).
2. Line manage a range of middle leaders including the Housemasters/mistresses, Head of Boarding and some co-curricular leaders as appropriate/required.
3. Lead on various School events including celebrations, induction processes, seminars for students, staff and parents.
4. Work closely with members of staff responsible for Careers, Futures and Higher Education.
5. With other members of the SMT, take on aspects of Student Leadership.
6. Have oversight of aspects of the Scholarship Programme.
7. Have a passionate commitment to the development of the pupils, understand the needs and concerns of their age group and have a natural empathy with them.
8. Have an up-to-date and appropriate level of knowledge of matters relating to inspection and legal compliance, child protection, safeguarding and health and safety regulations.
9. Understand the merits and benefits of working in an all-through School with an appreciation of the appeal and strengths of Boarding as well as Day School life.
10. Display energy and imagination, have a vision for what the School should achieve in the future, with the courage to innovate.
11. Have an open, participative, collegiate style, with an inclusive and empowering approach to management, and an ability to build trust and foster team spirit.
12. Be a team player, able to work effectively and harmoniously in the dynamic of an all-through School.
13. Take a lead on the rewards and sanctions systems and their implementation.
14. Take a lead on the Schools approach to uniform and dress code.
15. Co-ordinate the various external speakers from a wide range of life.
16. Attend the Boarding Council and Committees, led by the Head of Boarding.
17. Ensure a fully up to date and comprehensive understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures.
18. Undertake, and on occasion lead, relevant training.
19. Be a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead within the Schools Safeguarding and Child Protection Structures.
20. Be well versed in Safeguarding aspects relating to Boarding including the NMS.
21. Attend Governors Safeguarding Committee meetings Half Termly (co-ordinated by the DSL).
Candidate profile
1. Be able to relate to, value, nurture and communicate well with all members of the School community.
2. Value and promote inclusion and have the skills to run an inclusive and diverse School community.
3. Demonstrate the ability to plan and think strategically.
4. Demonstrate personal strength of character through transparency, integrity and fairness.
5. Be a confident, effective communicator in a variety of situations and audiences.
6. Possess a sense of humour.
7. Have relevant leadership and management experience with a proven track record of success.
8. Have an understanding of the unique Kent education landscape (or similar) or the ability to learn it quickly.
9. Have proven administrative skills, be highly computer literate, and a confident user of ICT for communications and management purposes.
10. Have the ability to establish clear standards, evaluate performance, delegate effectively and manage time effectively.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have the professional skills, abilities and experience to manage and develop the School effectively. They will also teach a reduced timetable commensurate with the responsibilities of the role. Educated to degree level with any postgraduate or leadership qualification potentially an advantage.
Employment terms and conditions
The Headmaster is offering an attractive and competitive salary to secure the best candidate. Accommodation will be available if desired. Other benefits including access to medical care scheme through Benenden Health and fee remission for children in the School will be made available in accordance with Governors policy for staff.
The Process
Advertising period: 13th January 2025 to 29th January 2025.
Deadline for Applications: 29th January 2025 5pm.
Longlist interviews via Teams: Week commencing 3rd February 2025.
Shortlist interviews and School familiarisation visits: Week commencing 10th February 2025.
Further information about Sutton Valence School can be found on our website www.svs.org.uk.
To apply, please complete the application and monitoring form and email it with a covering letter to or post it for the attention of the Headmasters PA, Sutton Valence School, North Street, Sutton Valence, Kent ME17 3HL.
Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and a declaration of medical fitness. It is an offence to apply for this role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
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