School & Family Pastoral Support Lead

About the role

We are delighted to be able to advertise a rare and exciting job opportunity at a fantastic village school set in a beautiful part of rural Hertfordshire. Ashwell is an extremely friendly and welcoming school at the heart of a strong supportive village community.

Thanks to the successful award of external grant funding, we are delighted to be in the exceptionally fortunate position of creating an exciting new role within our school.

We are seeking a compassionate, proactive and highly motivated School & Family Pastoral Support Lead to join our dedicated team.

This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and their families by providing high-quality pastoral support, strengthening home-school partnerships and helping every child to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

Role Purpose Statement

The School & Family Pastoral Support Lead will play a key operational role in supporting the school’s commitment to ensuring that all pupils feel safe, supported and ready to learn. Working closely with the Headteacher and SENCo, the postholder will lead and coordinate the day-to-day pastoral, behaviour and inclusion provision across the school.

The role provides frontline support for behaviour and SEMH needs, oversees internal alternative provision arrangements, and coordinates early intervention strategies to remove barriers to learning, including support for pupils experiencing EBSA. The postholder will act as a central point of contact for families in relation to pastoral concerns and will work in partnership with external agencies to secure appropriate support for pupils and their families.

As one of the school’s Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL), the School & Family Pastoral Support Lead will support safeguarding processes through the initial handling, recording and monitoring of child protection concerns in line with statutory guidance, ensuring accurate record-keeping and effective communication with the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

This is an operational role designed to strengthen capacity within the school’s inclusion and safeguarding systems, ensuring consistent, timely and compassionate support that enables every child to thrive both socially and emotionally as well as academically.

The successful candidate will join a dedicated staff team and play a key role in ensuring all pupils achieve the best possible outcomes. We are looking for someone who buys into an inclusive approach to teaching and learning. Experience of a therapeutic approach in supporting behaviour would be an advantage.

Please note that this post is directly linked to the funding grant that has been secured and further details will be discussed with candidates at interview. Should you have any questions around this, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Pay Scale: H6/H7 (Dependent on experience)

Fixed Term Contract (to be discussed at interview)

21.25 hours per week (term time only)

Monday – Friday (8:30am – 12:45pm)

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality pastoral support and early intervention for children and families, helping to overcome barriers to learning, attendance and wellbeing.

• Build strong relationships with pupils, parents and carers, offering practical guidance, emotional support and coordinating tailored support plans.

• Lead on behaviour, SEMH and pastoral support across the school, promoting positive relationships, inclusion and successful reintegration where required.

• Work collaboratively with external agencies and professionals to ensure joined-up support and the best possible outcomes for children and families.

• Support the school's safeguarding provision as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, maintaining accurate records and ensuring concerns are managed effectively.

*Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for details on Essential and Desirable experiences and skills.

Ashwell School is looking for someone who is:

• Reliable, resilient, proactive and enthusiastic with a sense of humour.

• Confident and passionate about making a difference to the lives of young children.

• Passionate about every child reaching their full potential.

• Committed to achieving excellent pupil progress and outcomes.

• A good team player.

• Good at communicating with children and adults.

The successful candidate for this role will have:

• Experience working with children and families, with the ability to assess and respond to their needs.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with children, young people, and parents/carers.

• A strong understanding of safeguarding and the ability to act promptly and appropriately

• A proactive, compassionate, and resilient approach

Why Work at Ashwell Primary School?

Ashwell Primary School was last inspected by OFSTED in June 2026 when it was judged to be ‘Strong Standard’ in 5 out of 7 areas and the ‘Expected Standard’ in the other two areas. As a school, we are passionate about our inclusive practice and supporting the wellbeing of our pupils. We believe strongly in respecting differences and valuing each other as individuals.

“Pupils are proud that they attend this village school. They demonstrate curiosity, enthusiasm and pride. Pupils learn successfully and with enjoyment. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, disadvantaged pupils and those with barriers to wellbeing and/or learning are fully included in the life of the school. Staff know pupils’ needs well and use targeted approaches that help them learn effectively.”

Ofsted – June 2026

This role offers an exciting opportunity and in return we offer:

• Excellent continuing professional development.

• A staff team who are caring, fully supportive, team-focussed and truly committed to providing our children with the best care and education possible.

• Delightful, well behaved, hardworking children.

• A rewarding role, where your contribution truly makes a difference and is valued.

• A happy, well resourced, attractive environment.

• Parents and Carers who are supportive of our work as a school.

“The school’s well-considered programme of continuing professional development helps staff maintain and further develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles. Staff know that leaders are mindful of their workload and wellbeing.”

Ofsted – June 2026

If you would like an informal conversation about the post or would like to visit the school in advance of applying, please contact Mr Simon England on [email protected]

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the school. We acknowledge that this might be difficult while the school is closed for the summer break however we will do all we can to accommodate this if necessary.

To ask any questions or arrange a visit between 4/8/2026 and 31/8/2026 please contact the Headteacher via email – [email protected]

To ask any questions or arrange a visit between 1/9/2026 and the closing date, please contact school office (01462 742297) or email the office – [email protected]

Closing date: Monday 21st September 2026

Interview date: Thursday 24th September 2026

Start date: ASAP

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Ashwell Primary School is committed to providing equality of opportunity and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

As part of our due diligence, we will be carrying out an online search at the point of shortlisting.

We are also committed to creating a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and shortlisted candidates will be asked to share any relevant criminal history prior to interview.

The successful applicant will also be subject to enhanced DBS and barred list checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.