Year 7 Lead with Pastoral & DDSL Responsibilities - Sturminster Newton High School

Salary - £28,199 - £31,983 Actual Annual

We are seeking to appoint a hard‑working, enthusiastic and reliable Year 7 Lead (Support Staff) to join our pastoral team. This role combines pastoral leadership, phased transfer support, and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) responsibilities and is ideal for someone passionate about supporting young people at a key stage of their education.

Core hours will normally be worked between 8.30am and 4.30pm, however there will be an expectation to work some evenings to support key events such as Year 5/6 open evenings and parental consultation evenings. These requirements will be planned in advance where possible.

The postholder will provide short‑term and ongoing pastoral support to students, working closely with parents, staff, and external agencies as required, and will act as one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and line manage a team of form tutors
• Provide pastoral support to Year 7 students, both individually and in small groups
• Lead and support phased transfer support from Year 6 into Year 7
• Work closely with parents, carers, and external agencies to support student wellbeing
• Support safeguarding matters and act as one of the DDSLs
• Assist with behaviour, attendance, and wellbeing interventions
• To monitor attendance through School attendance system, working with the Attendance Officer
• Maintain accurate and confidential records

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Be able to deal with all matters confidentially and sensitively
• Work independently, using initiative in an organised and flexible manner
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with students, parents, staff, external agencies, and the Local Authority
• Be professional and welcoming when dealing with visitors to the school
• Motivate, encourage, and build positive relationships with pupils
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding and inclusion

Should you wish to arrange a visit to view the School, please do not hesitate to contact Jo Bruton, Head's PA at [email protected] who will  be happy to arrange this.

SAST will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. In line with KCSIE guidance, this will be part of safer recruitment checks, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role will include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child. It will have some contact with young people on a day-to day basis. SAST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will have to meet the person specification and the post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

SAST recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a workforce which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. SAST values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010 SAST welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

This role is UK- based and your right to work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.