Deputy Headteacher (Pastoral & Safeguarding)

Permanent Contract

At Pate’s Grammar School, we are committed to providing an exceptional experience for our students within a supportive, inclusive and caring environment where every student is encouraged to achieve their potential, develop confidence and character, and feel a genuine sense of belonging within our community.

Safeguarding, wellbeing and pastoral care are fundamental to our success as a school. We believe that students thrive when they feel safe, valued, supported and known as individuals, and we are proud of the strong culture of care that exists across our community.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and through positive relationships, shared ambition for young people and a commitment to student welfare, we work together to ensure that every student is able to thrive, belong and make the most of the opportunities available to them.

As the Deputy Headteacher (Pastoral & Safeguarding) the successful candidate will lead and work alongside a highly skilled and dedicated team, including Heads of Year, pastoral managers, SEND colleagues, sixth form support and attendance. Together, these colleagues play a vital role in supporting students’ wellbeing, personal development, behaviour, attendance and achievement, providing coordinated and proactive support that enables young people to thrive both in school and beyond.

The Deputy Headteacher (Pastoral & Safeguarding) will provide strategic leadership across these vital areas as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team. Working alongside colleagues, governors, families and external partners, they will lead the continued development of safeguarding, pastoral care, attendance, behaviour and personal development, ensuring the highest standards of provision for all students. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape whole school culture, influence strategic direction and lead a talented team committed to securing the very best outcomes for every young person.

This role provides the opportunity to lead and shape the pastoral vision of the school with a focus on ensuring that every student is known, valued, supported and able to thrive.

As the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you will lead and oversee all aspects of safeguarding, ensuring the highest standards of care, support and statutory compliance. You will promote a culture where safeguarding and wellbeing are at the heart of school life, whilst leading and developing the safeguarding and pastoral team to ensure students and families receive the support they need.

In addition to safeguarding, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for pastoral care, behaviour, attendance, personal development and student wellbeing. Working closely with Heads of Year, pastoral leaders and colleagues across the Senior Leadership Team, you will ensure consistent, high-quality systems and interventions that enable students to flourish both academically and personally.

Working closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team, you will provide visible and inspirational leadership, contributing to whole school improvement and helping to deliver the school’s strategic priorities. Your influence will extend across all aspects of school life, ensuring that pastoral care and safeguarding remain fundamental to the school’s continued success.

We welcome applications from candidates with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Experience of working in a selective school is by no means a prerequisite, more important to us is finding an exceptional leader whose values align with those of our school community.

This is a significant leadership role, but one which offers flexibility in how responsibilities are structured. Whilst the successful candidate will hold overall strategic responsibility for pastoral care and safeguarding, the balance between strategic leadership and operational involvement across specific areas will be shaped by both the strengths and experience of the appointed candidate and the wider Senior Leadership Team. Some aspects of the role may involve greater direct operational leadership, while others may be supported by Assistant Headteachers and other colleagues. This creates an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to help shape the role whilst making a meaningful contribution across wider school life.

We are seeking a collaborative, compassionate and strategic leader who combines high expectations with a deep commitment to supporting young people and enabling them to achieve their full potential.

If you are ready to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people we look forward to receiving your application.

This is a full-time role; however, we are committed to attracting the strongest possible candidates and welcome conversations about part-time working arrangements. We are open to exploring options that support both the successful candidate and the needs of the school.

Pate’s Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment, and applicants must be willing to undergo relevant checks appropriate to the post, including checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we look forward to receiving your application. Full details of the vacancy and how to apply can be found on our website by clicking on Apply Now.

Please see details to the right of this advert for further information.