At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead pastoral care and wellbeing initiatives for pupils, ensuring a supportive school environment.
- Company: St Leonards, a vibrant independent school in St Andrews with a focus on global education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact on student lives.
- Other info: Engage in a dynamic school community with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of students while working in a beautiful coastal location.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in pastoral leadership and a commitment to pupil welfare.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Reports to: Head
Responsible for: HsMs, Heads of Year, medical centre staff, Wellbeing Hub, Island Leaders
Salary - Competitive
Hours of work - 1FTE, temporary sick cover until at least the Spring Term of 2027 with potential of extension.
Start Date: 10 August 2026 - applicants must be available to commence employment on this date.
The Deputy Head (Pastoral) is a key member of the Executive and Senior Management Team, responsible for leading the pastoral care, wellbeing, and personal development of pupils across the school, including overall responsibility for the leadership and strategic development of boarding. Given the critical nature of this position in ensuring continuity of safeguarding and pastoral leadership, the successful candidate will be expected to take up post on 10 August 2026 in preparation for the start of the academic year.
Key responsibilities
- Strategic leadership
- Lead the School’s pastoral vision and values, ensuring a culture of care, respect, and high expectations.
- Oversee and develop the School’s pastoral systems, policies, and procedures, ensuring they are effective and fit for purpose.
- Drive the strategic development of boarding, maintaining the highest standards of pastoral care and pupil welfare.
- Promote an inclusive and supportive school environment that prioritises pupil wellbeing and personal growth.
- Pastoral and wellbeing leadership
- Provide leadership and oversight of safeguarding, ensuring rigorous enforcement of child protection policies and liaising with external authorities as necessary.
- Support the personal and social development of pupils through a robust tutorial and wellbeing programme (Ad Vitam).
- Oversee the behaviour, attendance, and discipline policies to ensure consistency across the school.
- Develop and implement initiatives to enhance pupil resilience, mental health, and wellbeing.
- Work with the medical centre, Wellbeing Hub and pastoral staff to provide high-quality health and emotional support.
- Boarding leadership
- Provide strategic oversight of all aspects of boarding, ensuring the highest standards of care.
- Line manage and support Hsms, ensuring best practice in boarding provision.
- Oversee compliance with national boarding standards (CARE), ensuring all statutory requirements are met and documented through regular inspections and reviews.
- Foster a warm and supportive boarding community, integrating boarding life within the wider school.
- Oversee the House development plans for each boarding house.
- Publish and review the School’s Boarding Handbook on an annual basis.
- Staff leadership and development
- Lead and manage all pastoral and boarding staff, ensuring the promotion of professional development opportunities.
- Provide training and guidance for Hsms, Heads of Year, Assistant Child Protection Leads and pastoral staff.
- Support and develop a culture of professional dialogue, high expectations, and accountability.
- Pupil experience and parental engagement
- Serve as the key point of contact for pastoral concerns, working closely with pupils, staff and parents.
- Ensure effective communication between School and home regarding relevant pastoral matters.
- Develop initiatives that strengthen the partnership between School, parents, and external agencies.
- Oversee the induction, transition, and integration of new pupils into the School Community.
- Develop well-established channels of communication for pupil voice across the School.
- Operational and compliance responsibilities
- Be the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Lead.
- Ensure all safeguarding and child protection policies are strictly adhered to, conducting regular training and audits to maintain high compliance standards.
- Work closely with external inspectors (CARE) and regulatory bodies (HMIE) to maintain the highest compliance standards.
- Contribute to the strategic development of School policies and whole-School decision-making.
Person specification
- Essential
- Extensive experience in pastoral leadership within a boarding or independent school setting.
- A strong commitment to pupil welfare, safeguarding, and wellbeing.
- Outstanding leadership and people management skills.
- Ability to inspire and engage staff, pupils, and parents.
- Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to develop and implement pastoral strategies that enhance pupil experience.
- Desirable
- Experience as a HSM or in a similar leadership role within a boarding environment.
- Experience in leading large-scale pastoral initiatives or wellbeing programmes.
- Strong understanding of national boarding standards and compliance requirements.
Additional Information
The role includes evening and weekend commitments, including regular visits to boarding houses, attendance at School events, and active engagement in the boarding community. The post-holder will be expected to contribute fully to the wider life of the school.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
St Leonards is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, where all members of the community - colleagues, pupils and families - are seen and valued. This culture ensures that St Leonards delivers an outstanding global education in a multi-cultural living, learning and working environment. Applications should be made via our website: https://www.stleonards-fife.org/news-information/employment and should include the completed application form. Closing time and date for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 26 June 2026. Early applications are encouraged and we reserve the right to appoint before the closing date. Any questions may be directed to recruitment@stleonards-fife.org. All successful applicants will be required to hold or be accepted for membership of the Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
About St Leonards
St Leonards is a friendly and forward-looking independent, coeducational, boarding and day school situated on an historic campus at the heart of the university town of St Andrews. The school enjoys an unrivalled location - there are sandy beaches, world-class Links golf courses, and historic sites on its doorstep. St Leonards delivers the inspiring, globally-recognised International Baccalaureate curriculum for pupils aged five to 18, and was the first school to be accredited as an all-through IB school in Scotland. It is one of just two schools in the UK to actively offer all four IB programmes, ensuring a seamless learner journey. The youngest pupils follow the Primary Years Programme, which goes hand-in-hand with the vibrant Outdoor Learning programme at St Leonards. This is followed by the Middle Years Programme and (I)GCSEs. In the Sixth Form, pupils choose between the Career-related Programme and the Diploma Programme. St Leonards enjoys a rich sporting heritage, and continues to boast a strong record of achievement with pupils representing the school nationally in golf, rugby, lacrosse, hockey, horse riding, and small-bore rifle shooting. The leading five-tier Golf Programme continues to go from strength to strength, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is the fastest growing of all Scottish independent schools, and an exciting calendar of trips and activities ensures pupils leave St Leonards equipped with the skills required to succeed in today’s ever-changing world. Truly an education ‘Ad Vitam’ (for life).
Deputy Head (Pastoral) in Fife employer: Teacheroo
St Leonards is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing and professional development of its staff. Located in the picturesque town of St Andrews, employees benefit from a vibrant community and access to stunning natural surroundings, alongside opportunities to lead innovative pastoral initiatives within a globally-recognised educational framework. With a commitment to safeguarding and pupil welfare, the school fosters a collaborative environment where staff can thrive and make a meaningful impact on students' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head (Pastoral) in Fife
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who know St Leonards. 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 specific strategies you've implemented in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After your interview, drop a thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head (Pastoral) in Fife
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Pastoral Care:When writing your application, let your passion for pastoral care shine through. Share specific examples of how you've positively impacted pupil wellbeing in previous roles. We want to see your commitment to creating a supportive environment!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the role of Deputy Head (Pastoral). Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant initiatives you've led. This shows us that you understand the unique challenges and responsibilities of the position.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and concise. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the point while still showcasing your skills and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised. Remember, early applications are encouraged, so don’t wait until the last minute!
How to prepare for a job interview at Teacheroo
✨Know Your Pastoral Vision
Before the interview, take some time to really understand the school's pastoral vision and values. Be ready to discuss how your own beliefs align with theirs and how you can contribute to fostering a culture of care and respect.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of your past leadership experiences, especially in pastoral care or boarding settings. Think about specific initiatives you've led that enhanced pupil wellbeing and how you managed staff to achieve those goals.
✨Engage with Safeguarding Policies
Familiarise yourself with current safeguarding and child protection policies. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure compliance and what strategies you would implement to maintain high standards in these areas.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Remember, effective communication is key in this role, so think about how you would engage with pupils, parents, and staff to strengthen relationships and foster a supportive environment.
