Head of Pastoral
Role Overview
Leads safeguarding, student and staff well-being, behaviour culture, student leadership, and events for the Cambridge programme. Acts as or works closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Ensures a safe, supportive, and enriching school environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead safeguarding and child protection as DSL or Deputy DSL
- Implement and monitor well-being programmes for students and staff
- Oversee attendance, punctuality, behaviour policy, and restorative practices
- Manage the school-wide events calendar and event risk assessments
- Oversee Student Leaders body with Student Leaders' Advisor
- Maintain compliance with data protection and safeguarding retention policy
Processes
HP01 — Safeguarding & Child Protection
Frequency: ongoing (reviewed termly) Approval: Coordinators of Cambridge Tools: safeguarding system / incident log Coordinates with: all staff, DSL, external agencies
- Maintain up-to-date safeguarding policy and reporting flow
- Ensure all staff trained by Week 1 each term; new staff within 5 days of joining
- Display reporting flow and identify DSL/Deputy DSL to all staff
- Staff log concerns immediately in safeguarding system
- DSL triages concerns within 24 hours
- Complete risk assessments for specific students or events
- Manage referrals, case conferences, and external liaison as needed
- Review safeguarding log weekly; report non-identifiable counts to SLT termly
HP02 — Student Well-Being & Behaviour
Frequency: weekly / ongoing Approval: Head of Pastoral Tools: SIS / well-being tracker / behaviour log Coordinates with: Homeroom Tutors, Subject Teachers, counsellor
- Implement well-being programme with screenings and surveys per cohort
- Homeroom Tutors conduct weekly well-being checks
- Behaviour incidents logged same day by reporting staff
- Review behaviour hotspots weekly and action interventions
- Hold restorative meetings within 72 hours for significant incidents
- Coordinate counselling, mentoring, and restorative practices
- Oversee sanctions and rewards aligned to behaviour policy
- Report well-being and behaviour trends to SLT termly
HP03 — Attendance & Punctuality
Frequency: daily Approval: Head of Pastoral Tools: SIS / attendance dashboard Coordinates with: Homeroom Tutors, Student Service, parents
- Monitor daily attendance and punctuality records
- Homeroom Tutors follow up same-day absences
- Flag students falling below threshold (e.g., <92% term-to-date)
- Escalate persistent absence — parent meeting, intervention plan
- Update attendance watchlist weekly
- Report attendance trends to SLT termly
- Coordinate with Student Service on communications to parents
HP04 — Staff Well-Being
Frequency: ongoing (reviewed termly) Approval: Head of Pastoral, Coordinators of Cambridge Tools: pulse check survey / Commun Coordinates with: HR, Heads of Subject, SLT
- Establish staff well-being supports (flex arrangements, EAP info)
- Conduct termly staff pulse checks or well-being surveys
- Review results and identify areas of concern
- Lead workload reviews with Heads of Subject and SLT
- Implement action plans and follow up
- Plan staff welfare activities in coordination with HR
- Report staff well-being summary to SLT
HP05 — Events Management
Frequency: as needed (calendar set termly) Approval: SLT Tools: events calendar / risk assessment template Coordinates with: Heads of Subject, Student Leaders' Advisor, CCA Coordinator, Operations
- Own and maintain the school-wide events calendar (assemblies, celebrations, excursions)
- Receive event proposals with objectives and budget
- Complete risk assessment and safeguarding plan for each event
- Obtain SLT approval before proceeding
- Issue parent communications and permissions
- Brief all involved staff on roles, logistics, and safeguarding controls
- Deliver and supervise event
- Conduct debrief and file report (including incident review)
HP06 — Student Voice & Leadership Oversight
Frequency: termly Approval: Head of Pastoral Tools: survey / feedback forms Coordinates with: Student Leaders' Advisor, House Captain, class reps
- Oversee Student Leaders body with Student Leaders' Advisor
- Train class reps on their roles and responsibilities
- Conduct student voice panels or surveys each term
- Compile feedback and present to SLT
- Close feedback loop — communicate actions taken back to students
- Review impact of student voice initiatives annually
HP07 — Pastoral Team Meeting
Frequency: weekly Approval: Head of Pastoral Tools: agenda template / minutes Coordinates with: Homeroom Tutors, Student Leaders' Advisor, counsellor
- Set agenda covering safeguarding cases, attendance, well-being, behaviour, and upcoming events
- Review open cases and assign actions
- Update attendance watchlist and behaviour hotspots
- Coordinate upcoming events and logistics
- Share relevant updates from SLT
- Circulate minutes and action items within 24 hours