Pastoral Assistant

Shorefields; Witham; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Lift Maltings in Witham is seeking a dedicated Pastoral Leader (Attendance) to support pupil wellbeing and ensure excellent attendance across the school. You will work closely with students, families and staff to create a caring, inclusive environment where every child can thrive.

You will monitor attendance, support SEND cohorts, and collaborate with teachers and safeguarding leads to address challenges. This role offers a rewarding chance to make a real difference in a busy school community.

Qualifications

• GCSE maths and English (grade 4) or equivalent.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with students.
• Strong behaviour management skills and high expectations.
• Good data handling and communication with families.

Responsibilities

• support students' wellbeing, including those with SEND, EHCP or child protection plans.
• work with teachers to maintain high standards of behaviour and attendance, and implement plans to address concerns.
• manage and update school systems with accurate pastoral and behaviour data, and create half-termly reports to track trends.
• communicate with families about behaviour, attendance or pastoral issues, and work together to find solutions.
• collaborate with the SENDCo, mental health lead, designated safeguarding lead and attendance officer to improve school culture and pupil wellbeing;
• complete duty according to the rota, before, during and after the school day.

Education

GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4)

Job description

Position Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 22/11/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: To be confirmed

We are looking for a pastoral assistant to join our team and help create a caring, positive environment where every student can thrive. you will work closely with students, families and colleagues to support wellbeing, improve attendance, and help shape a culture where every child feels valued and ready to learn.

This is a chance to make a real difference. You'll guide students who need extra support, help them navigate challenges, and work with our wider team to build strong relationships across the school community.

About the role
As pastoral assistant, you'll support the welfare and development of all students. You'll identify students who need extra care, work with teachers to manage behaviour positively, and help improve attendance across the school. You'll also manage pastoral data and communicate regularly with families to ensure every child gets the support they need.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll contribute directly to our mission: every child receives an excellent education, in every classroom, every day.

Key responsibilities
You will:

• support students' wellbeing, including those with SEND, EHCP or a child protection plan, and help them integrate into daily school life;
• work with teachers to maintain high standards of behaviour and attendance, and implement plans to address any concerns;
• manage and update our school systems with accurate pastoral and behaviour data, and create half-termly reports to track trends;
• communicate with families about behaviour, attendance or pastoral issues, and work together to find solutions;
• collaborate with the SENDCo, mental health lead, designated safeguarding lead and attendance officer to improve school culture and pupil wellbeing; and
• complete duty according to the rota, before, during and after the school day.

What we're looking for
We're looking for someone who:

• holds GCSE maths and English (grade 4) or equivalent;
• can build trusted relationships with students, especially those who find it hard to express themselves or manage frustration;
• has strong behaviour management skills and holds high expectations for every child;
• can use data to spot patterns, track progress and suggest practical solutions;
• communicates clearly and warmly with students, families and colleagues; and
• approaches challenges with patience, empathy and a calm, non-judgemental attitude.

You’ll be passionate about supporting young people and committed to creating a positive, inclusive environment where everyone can succeed. Could this be the role for you?

About our school

Lift New Rickstones is graded 'Good' (November 2023) and has a state of the art building offering fantastic facilities for both students and staff. Over the last 8 years the school has seen a huge increase in student numbers, with the number of students on roll more than doubling. The school is a popular choice in the local area, is oversubscribed, and has added another new building to meet this demand.

Lift New Rickstones is a great place to work with a friendly and supportive team. Staff numbers have also increased and the school is proud to boast high retention rates. Development is a priority with an extensive and successful CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programme to further develop our excellent staff.

Every member of the team is a vital part of our committed and ambitious team and we have been very successful at developing teachers and leaders with progression both within, and beyond the school.

Our "Curriculum Drivers" guide everything we do, encouraging students to be safe, happy, proud and reach their full potential.

• Ambition : sits at the heart of our curriculum. We are committed to high expectations for all and to providing the right scaffolding and support so that every student, whatever their starting point, can achieve their very best.
• Character : underpins our pastoral care, our TPP approach and our behaviour systems. It is about more than rules and routines; it is about developing resilience, responsibility and integrity, helping students to learn from mistakes and grow into confident, respectful young people.
• Opportunity : ensures that all students benefit from rich personal development and enrichment, both within and beyond the classroom. We want every young person to recognise the possibilities open to them and to leave us equipped with the knowledge, experiences and confidence to take their next steps.

Who is Lift Schools?
Lift Schools is made up of 62 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 35,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives - and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

How we support you
We want you to feel supported, valued and able to grow throughout your career with Lift Schools. From high-quality professional development and career progression to wellbeing support and opportunities to connect and collaborate across our network, we invest in you so you can do your best work. Discover how we'll support you to thrive, develop and grow your career in the way that's right for you: How we support you.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Information about the School

Lift New Rickstones, located in Witham, Essex, is a vibrant secondary school with a thriving sixth form. We are proud to be part of Lift Schools, a family of 57 schools united by the mission to provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.

At Lift New Rickstones, we prepare students for an ever changing world by equipping them with the skills, resilience, and ambition to embrace future opportunities. We believe that who you become is just as important as what you achieve, and our goal is to ensure every young person is supported, challenged, and inspired to thrive both academically and personally.Our values underpin everything we do:

-Ambition – the drive to learn, improve, and succeed.-Character – confidence, resilience, kindness, and integrity.-Opportunity – experiences that broaden horizons and open new paths.

We offer an ambitious and inclusive curriculum from Year 7 through to Year 13, delivered through high-quality teaching and exceptional pastoral care. Beyond the classroom, our students benefit from a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, including sport, the arts, leadership programmes, and trips that create lasting memories and broaden perspectives.

We are proud of our strong partnerships with parents, the local community, and further education providers, which help us ensure our students leave Lift New Rickstones prepared, confident, and proud of who they are. Everything we do is designed to make sure our students are safe, happy, and ready to succeed in the 21st century.

Who is Lift Schools?

Lift Schools is made up of 57 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

Our mission:-We will provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.-With excellent leadership and teaching in every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives.-We will work with others beyond our network to benefit more children and communities.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Laurence Johnson
Conrad Road, Witham
Essex, CM8 2SD Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Pastoral Leader (Attendance)

Lift Maltings, Witham Closing: 22/11/2026 Midnight