Pastoral Mentor in Workington

Are you a resourceful, resilient, and highly disciplined individual seeking a rewarding second career? We are actively recruiting Ex-Forces Personnel for a vital Pastoral Support and Behaviour Management role. Your unique skills-leadership, de-escalation, teamwork, and commitment are exactly what's needed to mentor and inspire students aged 11-16 who benefit from strong, positive role models. If you are ready to transition your invaluable experience into a role that makes a genuine difference every day, we invite you to apply.

About the Role:

Translating Skills. We are seeking an individual whose background in the Army, Navy, or RAF has equipped them with transferable skills ideal for the dynamic school environment. The role focuses primarily on pastoral care and behaviour support, providing a structured, authoritative, and empathetic presence.

Core Responsibilities:

• Mentoring & Role Modelling: Act as a strong Ex-Military role model for students, particularly those who are disengaged or facing social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) challenges.
• Behaviour Intervention: Confidently implement school behaviour policies, using effective de-escalation techniques and structured strategies to manage challenging situations both in and out of the classroom.
• Structured Support: Lead small group sessions and 1:1 mentoring focused on developing key life skills: discipline, resilience, teamwork, punctuality, and respect.
• Student Engagement: Support student attendance, engagement, and uniform standards, translating military values into practical, positive outcomes for young people.
• Safeguarding: Ensure all safeguarding protocols are adhered to, working closely with our Pastoral and Senior Leadership Teams.
• Lesson Cover: Provide supervision to classes undertaking pre-set work in the absence of their normal teacher.

Service Leaver / Veteran Status:

• Proven background in HM Armed Forces (Army, Navy, RAF, or Marines).
• Leadership & Discipline: Exceptional leadership skills, organisational ability, and a demonstrable commitment to personal discipline and high standards.
• Resilience & Calm Under Pressure: The proven ability to remain calm and authoritative in high-pressure or conflict situations, with expertise in diffusing difficult behaviour.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, capable of building rapport and trust with young people, staff, and parents.
• Commitment: Dedication to continuous professional development, particularly in areas like SEMH and child behaviour management.

Desirable:

• Experience in a training, instructing, or mentoring role within the services.
• Knowledge of local resources or community organisations in the Workington area.
• Relevant training, such as Team Teach, First Aid, or Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Benefits:

• Immediate Impact: Your presence will immediately help improve behaviour standards and reduce low-level disruption.
• Purposeful Work: Continue to serve your community by guiding and mentoring the next generation.
• Ongoing Training: Receive specialist CPD tailored to the education sector (e.g., safeguarding, restorative practice, SEMH).
• Supportive working environment, ample opportunities for personal career development, comprehensive staff wellbeing service including online GP access and free gym facilities on site.

Hours: 8:15am - 4:15pm Monday to Thursday and 8:15am to 4:00pm on a Friday; however we are happy to consider alternative working patterns/hours. Term time: 38 weeks per year plus INSET training days: 1 week.