At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a holistic pastoral curriculum and enhance student experiences across multiple colleges.
- Company: Join the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, dedicated to empowering young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous annual leave, professional development, and discounts on gym memberships.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by shaping their personal and academic growth.
- Qualifications: PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification and experience supporting post-16 learners.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to safeguarding and inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 49996 - 53004 £ per year.
Hours of work: 37 hours per week
Salary: £49,996 - £53,004 per annum
Location: Across the group (Castleford, Wakefield, Selby)
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of Pastoral and Personal Development to join our team at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group. The Head of Pastoral and Personal Development provides group-wide leadership for the pastoral curriculum, personal development model, and associated student experiences, with a specific focus on the needs of young people and study programme learners.
The role replaces and broadens the former Head of Pastoral Curriculum position, moving from a primarily curriculum-led remit to a holistic, group-aligned role that shapes pastoral themes, experiences, and personal skills developmental opportunities across all colleges.
The post holder will be responsible for:
- The pastoral curriculum and personal development model delivery
- Themed experiences and interventions that support wellbeing, behaviour, engagement, aspiration, and progression
- Ensuring coherence between curriculum, enrichment, and student experience priorities
Operating within the distributed leadership model, the role translates strategic intent into impactful delivery while working collaboratively with Directors, Heads of Curriculum, Heads of Service, and other college-based teams.
The ideal candidate will live and breathe the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group's values and be passionate about developing young people's skills to succeed at The Group, in life and in future employment.
Working within the Student Experience department and directly with one of our College Directors, you will be responsible for:
- Developing an exciting and varied pastoral curriculum that achieves key local and national agendas
- Leading the pastoral delivery team, ensuring teaching and learning is of a high standard through learning walks, observations and CPD so all students value weekly pastoral sessions
- Leading the attendance team, ensuring the absence and calling processes are followed and are effective in promoting attendance and supporting curriculum area attendance performance
- Ensuring all students fulfil the Group's personal development expectations, aligning the pastoral delivery and student essential skills development against the Groups personal development model, MyXP
- Promoting the Group's values of ambition, inclusion, collaboration and respect across each college
- Working collaboratively with student services, curriculum management and business services to ensure all students gain an excellent experience and can articulate well their personal development while studying at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
As a Head of Pastoral and Personal Development, you will have:
- PGCE or other recognised full teaching qualification
- Professional qualification or degree in a relevant area (level 4 or above)
- GCSE A*- C / 9 - 4 in English and Maths or equivalent
- Considerable experience of supporting post 16 learners within an educational or training setting
- Experience of successfully negotiating with a range of stakeholders in a pastoral and student support setting
- Proven ability to plan and co-ordinate own activities as well as co-ordinate activities of others through the liaison with a diverse range of students, staff and agencies
Benefits include:
- Generous Annual Leave (37 days annual leave + bank holidays + college closure days)
- Personal and Professional Development opportunities
- Discounted Metro Card Scheme
- Generous Contributory Pension Scheme
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme
- Reduced price personal gym membership
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Access to a wide range of high street discounts
- Staff Recognition Awards
Closing date: Friday 6th March
Interview date: Friday 13th March
Please note direct applicants only - no agency CVs. The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all students and this post will be subject to pre-employment vetting in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education, including an Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS.
All posts within the Group are exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that applicants are not entitled to withhold information about any convictions that are not 'Protected' which for other purposes are 'spent' under the provisions of the act.
If you are currently living overseas or have lived/worked overseas in the last five years, please be aware that you will be required to provide an overseas criminal record check from the country/countries you have worked/resided in if you are the preferred candidate for the post.
We aim to develop a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve and positively encourage applications from all.
Head of Pastoral and Personal Development in Wakefield employer: Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
Contact Detail:
Heart of Yorkshire Education Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Pastoral and Personal Development in Wakefield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who are already part of the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the Group's values and current initiatives. Show us how your vision aligns with our goals for pastoral and personal development – we love candidates who are passionate about making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your delivery! Whether it’s leading a mock session or discussing your past experiences, being able to articulate your approach to pastoral care and student engagement is key. We want to see your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Pastoral and Personal Development in Wakefield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for pastoral and personal development shine through. We want to see how much you care about shaping young people's lives and helping them succeed!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supporting post-16 learners. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead and innovate in a pastoral setting.
Align with Our Values: Familiarise yourself with the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group's values of ambition, inclusion, collaboration, and respect. We’d love to see how you embody these values in your application!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of the Head of Pastoral and Personal Development. Familiarise yourself with the pastoral curriculum and personal development model mentioned in the job description. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership abilities, especially in a pastoral or educational setting. Think about times when you've successfully led a team or implemented a new initiative that improved student experiences. This is crucial for a role that involves leading the pastoral delivery team.
✨Align with Their Values
The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group values ambition, inclusion, collaboration, and respect. Be ready to discuss how you embody these values in your work. Share specific instances where you've promoted these principles in your previous roles, particularly in relation to supporting young people.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of your interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. You might want to ask about their current initiatives in personal development or how they measure the success of their pastoral curriculum.