We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated Pastoral Support Assistant. The successful applicant will be part of our Raising Standards team and will work closely with Senior Teachers and Heads of Year in supporting students and removing barriers to learning. The role is student facing, so an ability to form positive, motivating relationships with young people is essential. The role also involves regularly interacting with parents by both telephone and in person, and liaising with teachers about matters relating to students’ wellbeing and behaviour. The successful candidate will possess tact and diplomacy, but also be tenacious and resilient.
Easthampstead Park is a vibrant school which prides itself on holding traditional values. Our school culture marries high academic expectations with excellent pastoral care and support. The concept of community is at the very heart of our vision; we believe in a three-way partnership between parents, teachers and students, and are proud of our setting and the local community. Teaching and learning drives everything we do. An action-research based approach to teaching and learning has been central to our improvement journey in recent years, and we wholeheartedly believe in investing in staff’s continued professional development in the same way that we expect our teachers to passionately invest in our students.
This is a very exciting time to join us. In recent years, we have made excellent progress, and at our last OFSTED inspection (November 2021), we were rated as ‘Good’ in all areas.
“Pupils enjoy coming to their happy and inclusive school. There is a strong ethos of mutual respect, courtesy and care for others.”
“Pupils behave well in lessons and around school. They value the educational opportunities that they receive and want to succeed. Knowing their teachers have high expectations and want the very best for them encourages pupils to take pride in their work. Pupils confidently ask for help when they need it.”
We aspire to be rated ‘Outstanding’, driven by a core belief that all of our students deserve nothing but the best possible teaching and support in order to be happy, healthy and successful. We aim to deliver the best quality teaching and learning in a school where staff and students have respect for, and pride in themselves, their school and their community.
If you feel you have the necessary skills, mindset and determination to join us on our journey towards ‘outstanding,’ we would very much like to hear from you. Visits to the school prior to application are warmly welcomed.
How to Apply
Please complete the online application form.
Only applications received on Bracknell Forest application forms will be considered. No agencies please. Please be aware that you will be employed by Bracknell Forest Council.
Safeguarding
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices share this commitment. This position requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check because it involves contact with (or access to data concerning) children/young people/adults at risk.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. If you are successful in being shortlisted for this position, you will be required to complete a self-declaration form, when you will need to tell us about any spent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings which may later appear on your DBS Certificate. To find out more about the application process for working with children, young people and adults at risk visit https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/jobs/policies-relating-job-applications/applications-work-those-risk
The Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board (BFSB) has responsibility for working together to oversee the safety and well-being of children and adults in Bracknell Forest. Find out more about the BFSB at https://bracknellforestsafeguarding.org.uk/
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to providing equality of opportunity to all. Our aim is to treat all employees and prospective employees with integrity, respect and consideration. We aim to ensure that individuals are recruited, selected, trained and promoted on the basis of ability, job requirements, skills, aptitudes and other objective criteria. In this respect we will ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, marital status or disability, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which are not covered by legislation or existing codes of practice.
Disability
We are a Disability Symbol User and as such have made a commitment to guarantee an interview to all applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria of the person specification. To help us with our commitment to this guarantee, please indicate if you have a disability on your application form.
Pre–employment medical check
You may be asked about your physical ability to perform the job during interview. As a condition of the Offer of Employment, the successful applicant will be asked to complete an Occupational Health questionnaire from which our Occupational Health Advisor will assess your medical suitability to do the job. You may be required to attend a medical examination.
References
On your application form you will be asked to provide the names and addresses of two people who will provide a reference. At least one must be from your current employer, completed by a suitable person with appropriate authority. If you have previously worked with children at least one must be from this employer. References will not be accepted from relatives or people writing solely in the capacity of friends. We take up references for all shortlisted candidates and wherever possible we like to apply for these prior to interview.
Employment
Any candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria.