St Nicholas’ School is a thriving, forward-looking independent day School for girls aged 3 - 16 and boys 3 - 7. Set within 30 glorious acres of Hampshire countryside, the school enjoys modern, well-resourced classrooms, small classes and excellent academic results. Pupils at St Nicholas’ school are highly motivated and keen to learn.
St Nicholas’ School is a supportive, community environment in which every pupil can flourish. We aim for excellence in all that we do, being academically ambitious at the same time as being nurturing and sensitive.
Pastoral care at St Nicholas’ School underpins every aspect of school life and is true to the ethos of individualised care for all our pupils. The successful candidate will be flexible in his/her approach and display the adaptability required in a growing and developing school. He/she will have the pupils' best interests at the heart of everything they do.
Context for the role
Reporting to the Headmistress, Dr Olwen Wright, this post offers an excellent opportunity to develop as a senior leader in a successful GSA school. This is an exciting role for a highly motivated practitioner, perhaps aspiring to future headship.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Deputy Head - Pastoral will work alongside the Deputy Head - Academic, the Head of Junior and Infant Departments and the Bursar.
The successful candidate will work particularly closely with the Deputy Head Academic to ensure we get the best out of every pupil. The role would suit an energetic and driven leader who is passionate about evolving our pastoral systems and practice, leading wellbeing innovation, and overseeing and developing our systems of support for all pupils across the school.
Roles and Responsibilities:
* The Deputy Head - Pastoral will have leading responsibility for safeguarding and all pastoral aspects of the school. He/she will keep abreast of any safeguarding changes to policies and requirements in the law.
* The Deputy Head - Pastoral will lead and manage the tutors and the Heads of Phase in the Senior section but will work with all teachers to strengthen cohesion across the school. They will also be a visible presence around school and may be required to deputise for the Headmistress when necessary.
* Pupils at St Nicholas’ are extremely well behaved so most disciplinary issues need a very light touch. This role will oversee any disciplinary matters with the aim of helping and supporting pupils to make better future choices.
Specific responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to the following:
* Overseeing the wellbeing of staff and pupils.
* Keeping up to date with the latest changes in relation to safeguarding.
* Organising appropriate and regular safeguarding INSET training for teaching and non-teaching staff.
* Liaising with Governors and external bodies, for safeguarding processes, and creating reports as required.
* Leading the tutor teams with sensitivity and direction.
* Understanding of the ISI inspection framework• Developing strong relationships with parents, staff and external contacts such as feeder schools and the wider community.
* Being approachable and accessible to staff, pupils and parents.
* Appreciating the importance of emotional intelligence and developing and coaching staff to recognise the importance of this in effective pastoral care.
* Ensuring that a high quality, interesting and relevant whole school PSHE program is well delivered.
* Building and developing a sense of pride, confidence and self-esteem within the pupil body.
* Understanding the changing demands of the role and having a flexible and collegiate approach to leading and managing.
* Overseeing the ELSA, TALA and the counselling provision across the school.
* Working with the Deputy Head - Academic to organise the assembly schedule.
Experience
This role requires strong interpersonal skills, organisational skills, and a visible, collaborative style to drive forward the pastoral life of St Nicholas’ School and contribute strategically to our future development across all phases.
The post-holder will bring a track record of successful senior or middle leadership experience gained in either a pastoral or an academic role; intellectual curiosity and the ability to lead others in developing wellbeing opportunities. The appointee will be a dynamic team player and an inspirational teacher.
Experience of managing whole-school initiatives and teams of staff is essential. Strongly desirable is experience of working in a through-school.
The role will require the appointee to teach a reduced timetable. Any subject area would be considered but a science background and the ability to teach GCSE Physics would be a significant advantage. The capability to teach across the ability range, but also to deliver consistently excellent outcomes, is a prerequisite for this post.
We offer:
* Motivated, enthusiastic and ambitious pupils.
* A friendly and supportive team of teachers.
* Well-resourced facilities.
* A professionally stimulating and collaborative working environment.
* A commitment to professional development, including excellent CPD.
We welcome applications from both the independent and state sectors. This is an exciting and rewarding position in a GSA School.
Closing date: 30th May 2025.
We will be interviewing on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the vacancy when a suitable candidate has been appointed. Therefore, early applications are recommended to avoid disappointment.
The School is an equal opportunities employer.
The School and its staff are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The School is registered with the DBS and successful applicants will be required to complete successfully the Disclosure procedure at the Enhanced level. It is an offence for any person barred from working with children to apply for this post.
All applicants will also be required to complete a criminal records self-declaration form. Please note that you are not required to disclose convictions or cautions that are ‘protected’, as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If you have a conviction and are not sure whether is it ‘protected’, please visit the Gov.uk link below: