Student Support Leader

Fakenham Academy; Fakenham; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Fakenham Academy, part of the Sapientia Education Trust, is seeking a Student Support Leader to join the Pastoral Team from September 2026. The role is permanent, full-time (37 hours per week), and paid at SCP11-13 (£24,197-£25,453 actual pa; £28,142-£29,064 FTE).

You will work flexibly with students, teachers and the Senior Leadership Team to support pastoral care, attendance and SEND needs, helping pupils feel safe, valued and ready to learn.

Qualifications

• A genuine interest in working with young people and supporting their success.
• A good standard of education and strong communication skills.
• Reliability, flexibility, and a calm, proactive approach.
• Experience of working with children or in an educational setting is desirable, but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support pastoral and SEND systems, including attendance, behaviour and SEND needs of students.
• Work closely with teachers and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure all students feel safe, happy, ready to learn and succeed.
• Set a calm, positive tone with students and consistently reinforce school expectations and policies.

Skills

Genuine interest in young people

Strong communication skills

Reliability & flexibility

Calm proactive approach

Job description

Part of the Sapientia Education Trust

• Salary – SCP11-13, £24,197-£25,453 actual pa (£28,142-£29,064 FTE)


• Permanent


• Full Time


• 37 hours per week


• Term Time plus 1 week


• Required for September 2026

Are you passionate about supporting young people to reach their full potential?We are looking for a committed and compassionate Student Support Leader to join our Pastoral Team at Fakenham Academy from September 2026.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is patient, positive and eager to make a real difference to the lives of our students.

About the Role

As a Student Support Leader, you will work flexibly with our students, teachers and Senior Leadership Team across the school.

The core purpose of the Student Support Leader is to support the pastoral and SEND systems in school, including attendance, behaviour and SEND needs of students.

You'll be part of a team committed to high-quality pastoral support and will work closely with teachers and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure all students feel safe, happy, ready to learn and succeed.

The successful candidate will be able to set a calm, positive tone with students, consistently reinforcing school expectations and policies.

Why Fakenham Academy?

Our school is built on high expectations, respectful relationships, and strong partnerships with families. Our most recent Ofsted inspection (October 2024) praised the school’s positive culture and investment in staff, noting:

• Pupils are taught by knowledgeable teachers who receive high-quality training.


• The school has introduced consistent and clear expectations for high-quality teaching.


• Pupils behave and attend well. They follow the school’s clearly defined expectations.


• The school has successfully established a caring culture. This culture has enabled staff to feel positive about how the school considers workload and well-being in all that it does.

What We're Looking for in our Student Support Leader

A person who has a:

• A genuine interest in working with young people and supporting their success.


• A good standard of education and strong communication skills.


• Reliability, flexibility, and a calm, proactive approach.


• Experience of working with children or in an educational setting is desirable, but not essential.

Closing date:10 September 2026, 12 noon

Interview date:18 September 2026

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, therefore all applicants must be prepared to undergo a number of checks to confirm their suitability to work with children and young people. The Trust welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. In accordance with the Department of Education's \"Keeping Children Safe in Education\", references will be sought on all short-listed candidates before interview.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and you will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced DBS check with barred list. If you have information to declare it may be protected under the Exceptions Orders and you may not be required to declare it. You will be asked to make a criminal conviction declaration if you are shortlisted for the post. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.