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- Tasks: Lead pastoral care and pupil wellbeing, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.
- Company: Dover College, a historic independent school with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Full-time permanent role with opportunities for professional growth and leadership.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team in a vibrant educational setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while shaping a positive school culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership, safeguarding, and a commitment to pupil welfare.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Dover College is an independent co‑educational day and boarding school in the heart of Dover, Kent, on a remarkable site with buildings dating back to a 12th‑century Benedictine priory. We are a school of around 250 pupils, known for a strong sense of community, high expectations, and pastoral care that is personal, visible, and lived day‑to‑day.
We are seeking an outstanding senior leader to join the College as Deputy Head (Pastoral), with whole‑school responsibility for pastoral strategy, culture and pupil wellbeing. The postholder will also serve as the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), a pivotal responsibility requiring authority, judgement, calm leadership, and a relentless commitment to safeguarding practice and culture.
This is a role for someone who sets tone as much as direction: highly visible, unshowy, deeply professional, and able to hold firm lines with warmth. At Dover College, there is nothing more important to us than the physical and emotional health and well‑being of our pupils and staff. We have created a safe culture in which pupils, staff, parents and governors feel able to articulate concerns comfortably; safe in the knowledge that appropriate and effective action will be taken.
Purpose of the role: To provide strategic and operational leadership of pastoral care and pupil wellbeing across the school, ensuring that safeguarding, boarding/day pastoral systems, behaviour, and community culture are coherent, consistently enacted, and clearly understood by staff, pupils and parents. As DSL, to lead and continuously improve safeguarding and child protection practice, ensuring robust systems, confident staff, effective partnership work with external agencies, and a culture in which concerns are raised early and acted upon appropriately.
If you would like to find out more and apply, we encourage you to read our candidate pack, and submit an application as soon as possible.
Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead in Dover employer: Dover College
Contact Detail:
Dover College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead in Dover
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in education, especially those who might know someone at Dover College. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the school culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the school's values and pastoral care approach. Show us how your vision aligns with theirs, and be ready to discuss real-life examples of your leadership in safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do a mock interview with you. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and boost your confidence when it’s time to shine at the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show us that you’re genuinely interested in the role. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your enthusiasm for joining the Dover College community.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead in Dover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Audience: Before you start writing, take a moment to understand who you're addressing. At Dover College, we value community and pastoral care, so make sure your application reflects an understanding of our ethos and the importance of pupil wellbeing.
Be Authentic: We want to see the real you! Share your experiences and insights that demonstrate your leadership style and commitment to safeguarding. Authenticity goes a long way in making your application stand out.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application. Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in pastoral care and safeguarding. Show us how your skills align with the role of Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our school culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dover College
✨Know Your Pastoral Care Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and best practices in pastoral care. Be ready to discuss how you would implement effective strategies for pupil wellbeing and community culture at Dover College.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to articulate your leadership philosophy, especially in relation to safeguarding and pastoral care. Think about examples from your past where you’ve led with authority and warmth, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Understand the School's Culture
Familiarise yourself with Dover College’s values and community spirit. During the interview, demonstrate how your vision aligns with their commitment to a safe and supportive environment for pupils and staff alike.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations regarding safeguarding and pastoral issues. Practice your responses to these scenarios, focusing on your judgement and decision-making skills, as well as your ability to act calmly under pressure.