Vacancies
Pastoral & Safeguarding Assistant Head
Woodford Green Preparatory School
Start Date: 1 September 2025
Are you ready to be part of an educational community where children flourish academically, socially, and emotionally? Do you have the vision, experience, and passion to lead on pastoral care and safeguarding in a thriving independent preparatory school?
Woodford Green Preparatory School is seeking to appoint an Assistant Head (Pastoral & Safeguarding) to join our warm, welcoming, and forward-thinking school community. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced pastoral and safeguarding leader to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our pupils, ensuring their well-being and success in an inclusive, nurturing environment.
The role is non-class based, however comes with a 50% teaching responsibility.
About the Role
The successful candidate will be a strategic leader with a deep commitment to pastoral care, student well-being, and safeguarding. As a key member of the Leadership Team, you will:
- Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring compliance with safeguarding legislation and best practices.
- Lead and inspire a whole-school approach to pastoral care, well-being, and safeguarding.
- Develop and implement effective strategies to promote student welfare, resilience, and personal growth.
- Ensure a safe, calm, and inclusive school culture, where all pupils feel nurtured, valued, respected, and supported.
- Oversee behaviour, attendance, and safeguarding, embedding best practices that foster a thriving school environment.
- Work collaboratively with staff, parents, and external agencies to enhance the pastoral experience of every student.
- Manage and develop the pastoral and safeguarding team, providing leadership, guidance, and professional development to colleagues.
This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and empathetic leader who can shape and enhance the school’s pastoral provision, ensuring the highest standards of pupil well-being and child protection.
About You
We are looking for an experienced leader who is deeply passionate about student well-being, inclusion, and safeguarding. The ideal candidate will:
- Have extensive leadership experience, including a proven track record as a Designated Safeguarding Lead in an educational setting.
- Possess in-depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, child protection policies, and best practices.
- Demonstrate strong leadership and team-building skills, inspiring colleagues to uphold the highest standards of care.
- Have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, effectively managing relationships with students, staff, parents, and external agencies.
- Be a strategic thinker, capable of implementing long-term safeguarding and well-being initiatives that align with the school's mission and vision.
- Show a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring all students feel safe, valued, and supported.
- Exhibit outstanding attention to detail and compliance, maintaining accurate and confidential safeguarding records.
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent.
- Have a track record of successfully improving student outcomes, leading on behaviour, attendance, and safeguarding.
- Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development and innovative pastoral leadership.
About the School
Woodford Green Preparatory School is a thriving independent day school, providing an exceptional education for 380 boys and girls aged 3-11 years. Our pupils are happy, confident, and ambitious learners, supported by a dedicated staff team that prioritises pastoral care, creativity, and academic excellence.
We foster a culture of nurture, creativity, and excellence, where every child is encouraged to reach their full potential. Our pastoral care is at the heart of our ethos, ensuring that every pupil feels safe, supported, and ready to succeed in an ever-changing world.
How to Apply
To apply, please use the link below to access and complete our digital application form.
Interested candidates are also invited to contact the Head for a confidential discussion.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Recruitment Process
Applications close: Monday 24 March, 9am
Longlist interviews, online: Wednesday 26 March
Final interviews, face to face: Thursday 24 April
