Director of Safeguarding
Woodlands School, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 5PJ5 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
28 February 2025 at 9am
Date listed
14 February 2025
Job details
Job role
- Pastoral, health and welfare
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Between £36,124 and £37,398
Pay scale
- Grade 10
What skills and experience we're looking for
Do you have what it takes to provide high nurturing and expectations for our special young people?
Would you class yourself as a compassionate, tenacious and ambitious practitioner with the determination to make a difference?
We want you to join our “Woodlands family” where Ofsted (March 2024) found “staff and pupils get along well, and staff want the very best outcomes for pupils”. They described our school as “calm and friendly” where “personalised support is given to those who need it”
This is an exciting time for us as we progress our quality of education to “good” matching all other judgements of “good” in our recent inspection. We are proud of the distance travelled and we want you to join us for the next phase of our journey.
You will be unflappable, have a sense of humour, and be utterly committed to the children in your care. Woodlands is an amazing place to work, and our children need someone who is not afraid to have high expectations of what they can achieve academically and socially and will never let that standard drop. You will have a strong sense of fairness and know that you are a catalyst to change children’s lives.
Does this sound like you?
No SEMH experience is necessary, but a desire to learn and develop is essential.
The Director of Safeguarding will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection within the school. As the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you will oversee all safeguarding processes, act as the first point of contact for any safeguarding concerns and work proactively to support vulnerable learners.
You will play a key role in promoting a culture of safeguarding across the school, ensuring that all staff are trained, confident, and compliant with safeguarding legislation. You will also work closely with external agencies, families, and internal teams to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
This role is particularly significant in our SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) school, where many learners have experienced trauma, adversity, or social care involvement. A trauma-informed approach and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable young people are essential.
Why this role above others?
Come and make a difference to the life chances of our young people.
Woodlands is a specialist provision for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health needs. We are proud of the high expectations and aspirations we set for every child and young person, providing an inspiring environment where everyone can learn and achieve.
We provide ambitious and exciting opportunities through well-designed and individualised curriculum packages.
You will be part of a highly effective, supportive team who readily share best practice amongst the team.
You will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with individual children, young people and their parents. You will find each day rewarding, making the difference, and providing support and nurture for children and parents alike.
You will join us in celebrating success and encouraging all our young people to develop broader life skills, investing in them as a whole child.
We are incredibly proud of the achievements of all our pupils and trust that you will feel the same as we work together to ensure the successful future for them.
What the school offers its staff
• Excellent professional learning and support at every stage in your career, with opportunity for continued personal development through our Talent Pathway
• Career development opportunities including funded NPQs
• Excellent resources and facilities
• Significant leadership time on your timetable.
• A core belief in staff wellbeing and work life balance for all, evidenced in policy and practice
• Benefits including funded counselling, physiotherapy and GP and other medical support
• As a school in the Marches Academy Trust teachers have opportunities to engage with staff across the Trust to support and collaborate with peers and colleagues in sharing the expertise across our family of 11 schools.
Commitment to safeguarding
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs are not accepted.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Woodlands School
- School type
- Academy, ages 9 to 16
- School size
- 55 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 9 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
- School website
- Woodlands School website (opens in new tab)
- Email address
- lisa.dugmore@wdl.mmat.co.uk
- Phone number
- 01939 232372
Woodlands is a special school for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health needs. We are part of the Marches Academy Trust, based in the beautiful county of Shropshire
Arranging a visit to Woodlands School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email lisa.dugmore@wdl.mmat.co.uk.
School location
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