Head of Pastoral Care Cambridge
Position summary
Introduction
Job description
Reporting To: Executive Head-Cambridge
Direct reportees: School counsellor, Key stage coordinators, Class teachers, Shadow teachers
Job Summary: Pastoral welfare of students s/He is the designated person for safeguarding students and staff and is primarily responsible for providing pastoral care within the school. S/he will also line manage the school counsellor, school counsellor, Key stage coordinators, class teachers, shadow teachers
Purpose of the job: To provide strong leadership for pastoral affairs at Makini Schools-Cambridge by supporting school leaders and teachers in providing the requisite care and enabling conditions that will assist students achieve their full potential. To assist the Heads of Sections with disciplinary issues and other behaviour concerns.
Consultation: In carrying out his/her duties the Head of Pastoral Care, shall consult, where this is appropriate, with the Principal, Head Teachers, Pastoral team, staff of the school, parents and students.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
This list is not meant to provide a narrow definition of specific responsibilities but to serve as guidance and should be seen as enabling rather than restrictive.
Be accountable for leading, managing and co-ordinating pastoral care programmes in the school.
Support the staff in managing behaviours so that each individual student achieves their optimum level in the subject(s) and ensure that effective strategies are in place to further raise standards of student attainment and achievement;
Work closely with the Heads to track student progress, monitor patterns and take appropriate action to combat underachievement and low aspiration.
Ensure the effective management and deployment of staff and physical resources within the department.
Supervise the career guidance team and co-ordinate guidance and support for all students.
Review and oversee the implementation of the pastoral care policy
Monitor and support the overall progress and development of students with Learning Support needs.
Drawing up budget plans for Learning Support activities and ensure allocated resources are utilized with maximum efficiency.
Be the Child Protection Officer of MS-C promoting the welfare of learners and ensuring staff share this commitment and ensuring that the Principal and Head Teachers are informed of all child protection issues.
Ensure counselling services are provided as required to the students.
Develop ADvTECH and MS-C values through assemblies, lessons, co-curricular activities and support and guidance packages made available to students.
Promote talent development and co-ordinate co-curricular activities within the school to enhance holistic learning;
Monitor and line manage the MS-C pastoral care structure.
Oversee students’ behaviour, conduct, rewards, and sanctions and ensure that the highest standards are maintained at all times.
Implement a quality assurance framework and self-evaluation system that involves all stakeholders and leads to the synthesis of strategic priorities in relation to student support, guidance and development.
Communicate MS-C and ADvTECH values and ethos clearly to students, staff, parents and the community and ensure all are clear of the school’s expectations of them.
Develop the Student Leadership Programme to systematically ensure that as many students as is possible have a leadership opportunity in the school.
Participate in relevant courses related to the role of Head of Pastoral Care and keep abreast of current or new developments in the area.
Ensure a safe, secure and healthy environment for students and staff by making sure that Health and Safety procedures are adhered to at all times.
Prepare an annual Unit Development Plan as part of the School Strategic Plan and review and evaluate its effectiveness and impact regularly.
To maintain confidentiality and sensitivity to the student’s needs but have regard to the school’s procedures for the safety and protection of students and the school.
Minimum requirements
- Bachelors Degree in Education/Psychology
- Master’s degree in the relevant field of psychology is an added advantage
- Must be TSC registered
- A Minimum of 7 years working experience handling pastoral care in a recognized international school
- Sound understanding of safeguarding and child protection policies and national regulations
- Confidentiality pertaining to interaction with and information of the learner, parents, and staff
- Knowledge of methods of assessment; systematic processes to collect data, translate assessment results into empirically based decisions about service delivery and evaluate outcomes of services.
- Knowledge of learning processes, appropriate instructional interventions to meet students’ needs, and the ability to implement and assess their effectiveness.
- Knowledge of behavioural mental health, collaborative and/or consultation models and methods and their application.
- Ability to relate to children and young adults.
- Empathy and integrity
- Ability to cope with emotional situations.
- Excellent listening and observational skills.
- Verbal communication skills.