Head of House (Chelt)

Summerhill; Leckhampton; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

The High School Leckhampton is seeking a Head of House (Chelt) from January 2027 to lead the School’s House System with a strong focus on safeguarding, pupil voice and leadership development. The role carries high-profile leadership and close collaboration with the Deputy Headteacher and safeguarding team.

The successful candidate will shape behaviour, pastoral care and enrichment across the House, ensuring an ambitious ethos is reflected in daily teaching and student life.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate the very highest standards of professional conduct.
• Be able to establish and lead a team.
• Commitment to professional development and safeguarding of pupils.
• Supportive of the ethos and inclusive culture of the school.
• Understanding of comprehensive education and holistic development.
• Commitment to safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding for pupils in your House as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Develop and embed the House System to promote pupil voice and leadership.
• Lead the House team and work with staff to deliver assemblies, pastoral care and events.
• Collaborate with external agencies, parents and staff to ensure pupil welfare and safety.
• Oversee behavioural standards, punctuality, attendance and uniform in the House.
• Support curriculum delivery and partnership between pastoral and academic elements.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Safeguarding

Professional development

School ethos

Communication

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Tools

CPOMS

Job description

SALARY GRADE:MPS or UPS + TLR 2.3 (£8,912)

CONTRACT TERM:Full-time & Permanent

RESPONSIBLE TO: The Deputy Headteacher (Behaviour & Safeguarding), The High School Leckhampton (Part of The Balcarras Trust)

RESPONSIBLE FOR: All Tutors in their House

GENERAL INFORMATION

Applications are invited for the position of Head of House (Chelt) for The High School Leckhampton, from January 2027.

This is a uniquely privileged opportunity for the right candidate to play a pivotal role in shaping our House System as our current Head of House (Chelt) has moved into the role of SENCo. We see it as of paramount importance to appoint the right person to join a very successful − and happy – team of House Heads that is already notable for its particularly strong emphasis on teamwork and mutual support. The successful candidate should have a keen appreciation of the school’s ambitious ethos and an understanding of how academic study and scholarship, pastoral care and extra-curricular activities contribute equally within it.

The successful applicant will hold a high-profile position at The High School Leckhampton and have significant responsibility for communicating and reinforcing our high expectations for pupils’ behaviour and conduct. They will play a key role in developing our thriving House System and embedding opportunities for pupil voice and pupil leadership across the school. As such, they will shape the school’s work in motivating pupils, ensuring excellent behaviour and providing correction when necessary. They will act positively to make demands upon pupils in respect of punctuality, attendance, appearance, behaviour, achievement and the acceptance of responsibility. The post holder will be one of a team of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs) and will work closely with a wide variety of colleagues, including outside agencies, to ensure our pupils are safe, happy and able to establish positive, healthy relationships with adults and their peers. Training will be provided.

A weighty aspect of the role will be to support and guide the personal development of our pupils (supported by the Deputy Headteacher (Behaviour & Safeguarding), so that they become responsible, respectful and active citizens who are able to play their part and become actively involved in public life as adults. The post holder will also have a key role to play in the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils in their House. Whilst the House system is obviously concerned with the successful development of young people, it is our belief that this can be achieved best by a close link between the pastoral and academic elements of school life. It is therefore an important part of the Head of House role to support teaching colleagues in the provision and delivery of a coherent curriculum.

An attractive feature of this role is the opportunity to work with the three existing Heads of House, who provide significant support to one another. So, the successful applicant will be both a strong leader and a team player.

Above all else, the appointed candidate will share our ambition that our House System is a driving force of the school and the key vehicle for our Pastoral Care Provision. They will be a superbly capable teacher, comfortable with significant and high-profile responsibility, and be as motivated, creative, and dedicated as the inaugural team of staff who have already worked so passionately to bring our school to life.

The demands of the post go beyond detailed description but include the following four main areas of Leadership for the pupils in their House(s):

1. Pupil personal development and well-being

• Lead all matters relating to Safeguarding for pupils in your House, including being the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) to ensure that pupils are safe and the needs of pupils with specific needs are met
• Keep abreast of statutory guidance relating to Safeguarding and Personal development
• Attend DSL Hub meetings on a fortnightly basis (as required)
• Liaise with the Deputy Headteacher (Behaviour & Safeguarding), SENDCo, Education Welfare Officer, Health Professionals and Counsellors and other relevant external agencies to provide coherent pastoral support
• Provide regular and calendared opportunities for pupil voice (such as House Council)
• Organise and promote a rich programme of House activities that are well supported and include all pupils
• Encourage and support curriculum enrichment activities including the RRSA, Careers Education, PSHE, citizenship and work experience
• Support the delivery of the PSHE programme and ensure the effective use of tutor time
• Adopt a proactive approach to identifying pupils who may need ‘Early Help’

2. Pupil behaviour and attitudes

• In conjunction with the Deputy Head (Behaviour & Safeguarding) to implement our Behaviour Management Policy
• Reinforce expectations and targets for teachers, tutors and pupils in relation to standards of pupil behaviour, achievement and the quality of the learning environment
• Deal appropriately with any disciplinary matters, including administering centralised detentions and other appropriate sanctions when required
• Supervise pupils who have been temporarily withdrawn from lessons
• Adopt a proactive approach to identifying pupils who may need ‘Early Help’
• Make effective use of electronic monitoring systems e.g. CPOMS, Provision Map and EPraise and Bromcom etc.
• Liaise with parents on a regular basis regarding their child’s behaviour, well-being and academic progress
• Ensure the pupils wear school uniform with pride
• Support the school’s approach to Rewards and Prize Giving, so that the achievements of all pupils are celebrated in a timely and appropriate manner
• Monitor the attendance and punctuality of all pupils
• Ensure, alongside the tutor, that pupils have access to the correct equipment to support their learning

3. The School Community

• Promote the school’s vision and values through the activities of the House team
• Attend school events which contribute to the overall school ethos
• Contribute to the school website, newsletters, and other publications so that The House System has a high profile across the school and amongst the wider parental community
• Ensure House displays are engaging, up to date and bring the House system to life for the pupils
• Attend key school events outside of school hours, such as School Productions, the Christmas Celebration and other special events

4. Leadership and Management

• Act as a role model for staff and pupils
• Along with the Deputy Headteacher (Behaviour & Safeguarding), to be accountable to Ofsted for behaviour & attitudes and personal development of pupils in their House
• Lead the tutor team, ensuring they are well supported in their role, including induction and training as appropriate
• Ensure up-to-date knowledge of relevant statutory responsibilities and policies, for example by participating in regular DSL training and ensuring familiarity with the requirements of the Ofsted Inspection Framework
• Respond to all pupil, parental and staff enquiries relating to pupils in the House
• Alongside the Deputy Headteacher (Behaviour & Safeguarding) and our Primary Transition Lead, develop strong pastoral links with Primary Schools to ensure an effective transition from Key Stage 2 to 3
• Deliver assemblies and presentations to pupils and parents
• Prepare and lead regular meetings with key staff (for example Tutors)
• Undertake additional duties around the school site to ensure you have a good ‘presence’
• Support tutors and teachers with their leadership, including matters such as report writing
• Attend relevant Governors meetings as requested by the Headteacher
• Contribute to the annual School Development Plan and Evaluation
• Lead and engage in effective whole school self-evaluation/quality assurance in line with school guidelines, such as conducting learning walks, pupil pursuits and lesson observations and act upon findings
• Regularly update the school website with pastoral information and contribute to our monthly newsletter to pupils and parents
• Manage the performance and development of self and other staff including delivering training, coaching and mentoring
• Participate in the recruitment and induction of new staff
• Ensure that tasks are delegated appropriately, fairly and equitably to other teaching and support staff.
• Ensure the materials, equipment, and fabric of the Heads of House area are well maintained and relevant Health and Safety Regulations are observed

The above responsibilities are in addition to the responsibilities and duties outlined in the School’s standard job description for a Teacher. These responsibilities are also subject to the general duties and responsibilities contained in the documents that constitute the Teacher Contract of Employment and letter of appointment.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate evidence of the following skills, qualifications, and experience:

• Demonstrate the very highest standards of professional conduct
• Be able to establish and lead a team
• Be committed to his/her own professional development
• Be supportive of the ethos of the school
• An understanding of the nature and value of comprehensive education
• Commitment to the paramount importance of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

It is the policy of The High School Leckhampton to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals; to prohibit discrimination in employment on any basis protected by applicable law, including but not limited to race, colour, religious creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, medical condition, or disability. The High School Leckhampton promotes equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment through positive employment policies and practices. If any special requirements are needed to attend an interview, please inform the school.

SAFEGUARDING

The post holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School's Safeguarding Policy and Procedures at all times.

Please note that all appointments are subject to the Balcarras Trust Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedures.