Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support neurodivergent pupils through mentoring and tutoring, ensuring their well-being and achievement.
- Company: Join Acorn Education, a leader in specialist education and residential care for vulnerable young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy life assurance, pension options, mental health support, and flexible benefits tailored to you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a supportive and rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required; passion for helping others is key!
- Other info: Term time only role with a focus on outdoor learning and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 ÂŁ per year.
At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!
Location: New Barn School, Welford, Newbury
Salary: Up to ÂŁ25,000 per annum dependent on experience and qualifications
Hours: 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday 8:30-4:30 and 1x5:00pm finish
Contract: Permanent, Term Time only
As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Pastoral Practitioner to join our close-knit team.
About the role
Our Vision - We believe that with a great education, every neurodivergent pupil can thrive and make their way in the world. The purpose of the Pastoral Support Worker is to work alongside teaching staff, parents/carers and pupils; providing a 1:1 mentoring and/or tutoring role to specific pupils. The underpinning value of the work is to ensure that every pupil achieves their potential through the provision of targeted support and intervention, working with the school’s Senior Leadership Team.
Under the direction of the Senior Leadership Team, the Pastoral Support Worker will contribute to all aspects of pupils’ well-being and achievement. The role will involve a mixture of dealing with parents/carers, intervention groups, supporting learning in addition to managing pupils’ behavioural and attendance challenges. This will involve writing Support Plans and intervening with difficulties around the school in terms of pastoral support.
General Responsibilities as Pastoral Support:
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils and young people
- Liaise with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure pupils who are identified as being in need of support receive appropriate help.
- Assisting and supporting pupils during learning sessions, break time and lunchtimes, this will involve managing pupil behaviour, lunchtime activities and rewards etc.
- Take part in any relevant meetings to assist with pupil welfare e.g. review meetings with parents/carers and external agencies.
- Management of rewards and sanctions for pupils: suitable and consistent interventions put into place as needed.
About us
New Barn School offers a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum to boys and girls, aged 6–19 years who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health complexities. New Barn School takes full advantage of its beautiful settings and fosters a love for using the outdoor curriculum including forest school, farm experiences and horse riding. The school is within a commutable distance of Swindon, Oxford, Andover, Basingstoke and Reading and other surrounding towns and villages.
Our services offer a stable, secure and supportive environment, in which the pupils and young people we care for can develop the skills and confidence necessary to help them fulfil their potential.
Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education and residential care for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
Why join Acorn Education? Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
- And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
- A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
- 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
- Cycle to Work Schemes
- Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Pastoral Practitioner (Wantage) employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Practitioner (Wantage)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of neurodivergent pupils. Understanding their challenges and how to support them effectively will show your commitment to the role and make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the education sector, especially those who work with vulnerable pupils. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to gain insights and make connections that could help you in your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Research New Barn School and its approach to pastoral care. Being able to discuss their methods and values during an interview will demonstrate your genuine interest in the school and its mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with behaviour management strategies. Highlighting specific examples of how you've successfully supported pupils in similar situations will showcase your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Pastoral Practitioner (Wantage)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Pastoral Practitioner role. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with the expectations outlined.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting neurodivergent pupils. Include specific examples of how you've successfully managed behavioural challenges or provided pastoral support in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise any experience you have working with children or young people, particularly those with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health complexities. Mention any relevant qualifications or training that would make you a strong candidate.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, thoroughly proofread your application for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a pastoral role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what a Pastoral Practitioner does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as supporting pupils' well-being and managing behaviour. This will help you articulate how your skills align with the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience working with children or young people, especially those with social, emotional, and mental health complexities. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've successfully supported students in similar roles.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Communication Skills
As a Pastoral Practitioner, strong communication and empathy are key. During the interview, highlight instances where you've effectively communicated with parents, staff, or pupils. Show that you can build trusting relationships and handle sensitive situations with care.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. This could include inquiries about the school's approach to pastoral care or how they measure the success of their interventions. It shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
