Head of Pastoral

SGS Forest High School; Littledean; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

SGS Forest High School in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, is seeking a Head of Pastoral to provide operational pastoral leadership across the school. You will line manage Heads of Year and our Pastoral Support Leader – Behaviour and Inclusion, ensuring consistent, high-impact support for students and families.

You will oversee pastoral provision for Years 8 and 9, coordinate with tutors and inclusion teams, and drive safeguarding and CEIAG activities to raise aspirations and outcomes for every

Qualifications

• We’re looking for someone who can combine strong pastoral leadership with warmth, consistency and high expectations.
• Someone who is confident working with students, families and staff.
• Can use information and data to identify where support is needed.
• Passionate about creating an inclusive school where every young person feels they belong.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for pastoral provision across the school, ensuring systems are consistent and effective.
• Line manage Heads of Year/Key Stage and the Pastoral Support Leader – Behaviour and Inclusion.
• Collaborate with colleagues to promote excellent behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, inclusion and personal development.
• Lead Years 8 and 9 pastoral provision and support interventions to overcome barriers to learning.
• Assist as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and CEIAG Lead to raise aspirations and broaden horizons.

Skills

Pastoral leadership

Job description

Head of Pastoral

SGS Forest High School, Cinderford, Gloucestershire, GL14 2AZ

12 days remaining to apply

As soon as possible

9 October 2026 at 9am

25 September 2026

Job details

Job role

• Head of year or phase
• Head of department or curriculum

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Working pattern

Full time

Contract type

Permanent

What skills and experience we're looking for

We’re looking for someone who can combine strong pastoral leadership with warmth, consistency and high expectations. Someone who is confident working with students, families and staff, can use information and data to identify where support is needed, and is passionate about creating an inclusive school where every young person feels that they belong.

What the school offers its staff

You’ll be joining a school that has made significant progress over recent years and is ambitious for what comes next. Our focus is firmly on excellent attendance, exceptional behaviour, active engagement in learning, raising literacy and broadening aspirations and experiences for our students.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Are you an experienced pastoral leader who believes that when young people feel safe, valued and supported, they are able to achieve great things?

SGS Forest High is looking for a Head of Pastoral to join our team and play a key role in shaping the experience of students across our school.

We are proud to be Cinderford’s secondary school and are deeply committed to giving every young person the best possible education. Our FOREST values, Friendship, Organised, Respectful, Engaged, Sustainable and Teamwork, sit at the heart of our culture and the way we work with our students, families and each other.

As Head of Pastoral, you will provide operational leadership for pastoral provision across the school, ensuring that our systems are consistent, effective and focused on helping students to thrive. You will line manage Heads of Year/Key Stage and our Pastoral Support Leader – Behaviour and Inclusion, working closely with colleagues across the school to promote excellent behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, inclusion and personal development.

You will also have direct pastoral leadership for Years 8 and 9, building strong relationships with students and families and ensuring that young people receive the right support and intervention to overcome barriers to learning. You’ll work alongside tutors, curriculum leaders and our inclusion team to monitor progress, coordinate support and celebrate achievement.

The role also offers two important whole-school leadership responsibilities:

As Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will work closely with the DSL and external agencies to ensure that safeguarding concerns are responded to effectively and that vulnerable students receive the support they need.

As our CEIAG Lead, you will help raise aspirations and broaden students’ horizons, working with colleagues, employers and colleges to ensure our young people have access to meaningful careers education, advice, guidance and experiences.

We’re looking for someone who can combine strong pastoral leadership with warmth, consistency and high expectations. Someone who is confident working with students, families and staff, can use information and data to identify where support is needed, and is passionate about creating an inclusive school where every young person feels that they belong.

You’ll be joining a school that has made significant progress over recent years and is ambitious for what comes next. Our focus is firmly on excellent attendance, exceptional behaviour, active engagement in learning, raising literacy and broadening aspirations and experiences for our students.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to make a real difference to pastoral provision and to help shape the next stage of our journey, we would love to hear from you.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.