Job Description
Download printable version
The Assistant Head of Senior School (Pastoral, Safeguarding and Pupil Wellbeing) is a member of the Wider Leadership Team with strategic and operational responsibility for pastoral provision, safeguarding and pupil wellbeing across the school. The postholder will act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring that safeguarding arrangements are robust, compliant with statutory guidance and fully embedded in the culture and daily practice of the school.
Alongside this, the role leads the development and implementation of high-quality pastoral systems, ensuring that:
• behaviour, attendance and wellbeing are coherently led
• safeguarding is timely, rigorous and consistently applied
• staff are supported in managing pastoral and behavioural matters with clarity and confidence
• pupils are supported to thrive both academically and personally
This is a role that requires strong professional judgement, emotional intelligence and resilience, alongside the ability to lead others with clarity and authority. The successful candidate will maintain a visible presence across the school, working closely with colleagues, pupils, families and external agencies.
The role combines strategic leadership with operational oversight, ensuring that systems are not only well designed, but consistently enacted and evaluated.
We are looking for a leader who combines professional rigour with relational warmth; someone who understands that strong systems and strong relationships go hand in hand, and who is committed to ensuring that every pupil is supported to flourish.
At St Mary's, we believe that pastoral care is not separate from academic success, but fundamental to it. This role offers the opportunity to lead that work with clarity, integrity and impact.
St Mary's is a happy, high achieving independent day school for girls aged 4-16 years with a Kindergarten for children age 2-4 years, a member of the Girls' Schools Association, Independent Association of Preparatory Schools, the Independent Schools Association, and the prestigious Round Square organisation.
St Mary's is proud of its commitment to its pupils and expects all staff to maintain high standards and support its mission and ethos to put girls at the centre of everything that it does so that they can flourish and excel. In return, St Mary's offers opportunities for further training and professional development which is actively encouraged amongst all staff.
Benefits of working for St Mary's include:
- Staff discount for School fees (subject to qualifying criteria)
- Enhanced employee assistance programme including counselling sessions, coaching, and 24-hour helpline
- Occupational health support
- Lunch available during term-time
- Tea and coffee facilities provided
- Pleasant working grounds and location
- Free parking on site
- Friendly team
- Bike2Work Scheme
Please see the candidate information pack for more information on the job role and person specification. To apply for this role, please visit our applicant tracking system, MyNewTerm:https://mynewterm.com/school/St-Mary's-School-for-Girls/115394
St Mary's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All candidates must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening.
Information about the School
St Mary's School is a happy, high achieving independent day school for girls aged 4-16 years with a Kindergarten for children age 2-4 years. We are a member of the Girls’ Schools Association, Independent Association of Preparatory Schools and the Independent Schools Association.
At St Mary’s, we believe that girls are remarkable and have different educational needs. With us, girls will be inspired, build resilience, advance academically, learn what interests her and grow. We understand that the girls’ wellbeing matters and is critical to achieving. Girls at St Mary’s are not only self-confident and capable, but also kind and considerate.
Parents want the world for their daughters – and so do we. When she leaves us, she’ll be empowered to rise to the challenges and the opportunities the world presents.
We have a low staff turnover at St Mary’s, but occasionally we are in the position to invite suitably qualified individuals to join our friendly, close-knit team.