Pastoral Support Assistant in Rochdale

Position: Pastoral Support Assistant
Location: Rochdale, Greater Manchester
Start Date: ASAP
Hours: 8.30am - 3.00pm, Term Time Only
Pay Rate: £120-£150 per day

About the Role

Cover People are currently recruiting for a Pastoral Support Assistant to join a welcoming secondary school in Rochdale. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting young people both academically and emotionally, helping to create a positive and purposeful learning environment across the school.

This varied role will see you working closely with the school's pastoral and behaviour teams, delivering targeted interventions to students who require additional support, promoting positive behaviour, and helping pupils successfully engage with school life.

You will also provide classroom supervision when required, including overseeing merged year group classes in the hall, ensuring students remain on task and maintaining a calm, safe and purposeful environment.

The school prides itself on being inclusive, supportive and community-focused, with a strong pastoral ethos where every member of staff plays an important role in helping students achieve their full potential.

Why Work Through Cover People?

We're a team of former Teachers and experienced Education Specialists who understand schools and education. We take the time to match candidates with roles that suit their experience, career goals and work-life balance, while offering ongoing support throughout your placement.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver pastoral support and targeted interventions for students requiring additional guidance.
• Work alongside the pastoral, behaviour and safeguarding teams to promote positive attitudes and engagement.
• Build positive relationships with students to encourage attendance, resilience and personal development.
• Support students in managing behaviour and making positive choices throughout the school day.
• Supervise students during intervention sessions, internal isolation or when covering merged year group classes in the hall.
• Ensure a calm, safe and purposeful environment while maintaining high expectations for behaviour.
• Liaise effectively with teaching staff, Heads of Year, SEND and Senior Leadership to provide consistent support for students.
• Act as a positive role model, promoting the school's values and behaviour expectations.

Requirements

• Experience working with secondary-aged young people in an educational, youth work or pastoral setting.
• Confident managing behaviour and building positive relationships with students.
• A calm, resilient and adaptable approach to supporting young people.
• Experience within a school, PRU, Alternative Provision or similar setting is desirable but not essential.
• Behaviour management or de‑escalation training is advantageous.
• A genuine passion for supporting the academic, emotional and personal development of young people.

Benefits

• Supportive pastoral team and Senior Leadership.
• Opportunity to gain valuable experience within a thriving secondary school.
• Competitive daily pay of £120-£150.
• Regular weekly pay.
• Ongoing support from your dedicated Cover People consultant.
• Full‑time position, Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 3.00pm.
• 12.07% statutory holiday pay included in all quoted pay rates.

Temporary to Permanent Opportunity

This vacancy is offered on a temporary basis, with the potential for a permanent position in the future.

We understand that flexibility is important, and candidates who prefer temporary work are equally encouraged to apply.

If you're passionate about making a diff