At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students' well-being and behaviour, ensuring they thrive in school.
- Company: Join the dynamic Shaw Education Trust, transforming lives through education.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, a strong pension scheme, and comprehensive training.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community focused on innovation and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and help them succeed.
- Qualifications: Passion for supporting youth and teamwork skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25186 - 25989 £ per year.
Woodhey are seeking to appoint a dedicated and inspirational thinker to our Pastoral Support team for maternity cover. The successful candidate will have an absolute commitment to working as a team to meet the pastoral needs of the individual to ensure that all learners can achieve their personal best. If you have a passion for supporting young people and helping them to break down barriers in a supportive and calm way, we want to hear from you.
Key aspects of the role:
- Maintain and enforce the high standards of behaviour by active presence on corridors, social times, and duties.
- Supporting students and families with all aspects of school life (attendance, punctuality, well-being etc).
- Proactively anticipate student issues that could arise and intervene as necessary.
Be part of #TeamWoodhey - the school that has been transformed! Where students show exceptional engagement in lessons, the school is underpinned by strong, supportive relationships, staff feel well-supported, and our values of Respect and Excellence drive everything we do. There has never been a better time to join us.
Our remarkable progress has been recognised, being graded Outstanding for Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development (2025) is testament to this. We’re unbelievably proud of these achievements, but we never stop striving for more - ensuring every student achieves the absolute best academic outcomes and is exceptionally well prepared for life beyond school - progression, not perfection, as we like to say!
We equip our staff to flourish through a comprehensive training programme, a supportive welfare package, and access to the latest technology, including a personal iPad. Combined with our incredible students, this makes Woodhey High School an inspiring and rewarding place to work.
All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.
At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role holds the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you’ll be part of something extraordinary.
We are a dynamic and growing family of Primary, Secondary, and Special Schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Our mission is to unlock opportunity for every young person—whatever their background, ability, or starting point.
Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their growth. Through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent acceleration, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals and we champion wellbeing, value every voice, and create a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.
You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and professional community fuel success. Every academy in our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital part in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.
At the heart of our work is a deep respect for the children and young adults we serve—our “precious cargo.” We are proud to "exactly like nothing else” and bridge the gap between education and the wider world, preparing every student for further education, employment, or training in inclusive environments where integrity, equality, and opportunity thrive.
If you have the heart, passion, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our incredible team.
Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.
In our secondary schools, we pride ourselves on our innovative approach to curriculum design, to ensure all our schools have breadth and ambition for all students, regardless of their starting points and barriers. Standard curriculum models don’t always engage all students, so we constantly seek to innovate and provide better opportunities to develop both knowledge and skills for life.
Some examples of our innovation include moving towards an extended school day, to provide a world-class enrichment programme and more opportunities for essential skills like reading and cultural capital. We are also introducing vocational and technical pathways, which run through the normal school curriculum but attract support from leading employers and universities to develop work-readiness in our students, so that they can progress onto T Levels and apprenticeships.
Our secondary schools are currently driving ‘PedTech’ across the sector: we believe teaching and technology should go hand-in-glove and are passionately committed towards providing a fully digitally enhanced curriculum. We are very close to achieving full 1:1 device delivery and are sprinting towards better use of iPads in lessons to enhance the experience and learning.
Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:
- An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
- Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service)
Pastoral Support Officer employer: The Shaw Education Trust
At Woodhey High School, part of Shaw Education Trust, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment where every team member is valued. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programmes and a strong welfare package, ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally. Located in Bury, Lancashire, our school community is dedicated to transforming lives and preparing students for a successful future, making it an inspiring place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Support Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Woodhey High School on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the school's values and recent achievements. Show us how your passion for supporting young people aligns with our mission to make the remarkable happen!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions, especially those related to pastoral care. We want to see how you’d handle real-life scenarios with students and families.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows us you’re serious about joining #TeamWoodhey.
We think you need these skills to ace Pastoral Support Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When writing your application, let your true self shine through! We want to see your passion for supporting young people and how you can contribute to our team. Don’t be afraid to share personal experiences that highlight your commitment.
Tailor Your Statement:Make sure to customise your supporting statement to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Pastoral Support Officer role. Highlight how your background fits with our values of Respect and Excellence, and how you can help our students thrive.
Showcase Your Skills:Use clear examples to demonstrate your skills in supporting students and families. Whether it’s about improving attendance or enhancing well-being, we want to know how you’ve made a difference in similar situations.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Shaw Education Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Pastoral Support Officer. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects mentioned in the job description, like supporting students and maintaining high standards of behaviour. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about supporting young people, so be ready to share your passion for helping them overcome challenges. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you've made a positive impact on someone's life. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role and the values of the school.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some thoughtful questions about the school's approach to pastoral care or how they support their staff. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in being part of a team that values growth and development.
✨Be Yourself
Finally, don’t forget to be yourself during the interview. Authenticity goes a long way in building rapport with the interviewers. Let your personality shine through, and remember that they’re looking for someone who fits well with their team culture at Woodhey.