Pastoral Manager – Ferndown Middle School
Ferndown Middle School, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9UP19 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
2 November 2026 at 9am
Date listed
14 October 2026
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
- Pastoral, health and welfare
- Other support role
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Term time, part time: 26 hours per week
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £29,541 – £32,046 per annum, pro rata to £17, 764 – £19,271 per annum
What skills and experience we're looking for
Some arrive at school ready to learn. Others arrive carrying worries, challenges, frustrations or circumstances that can make school life feel much harder. The difference often comes down to having the right person there to listen, support, encourage and act when it matters most.
This role is about being that person.
Working alongside our Heads of Year, Designated Safeguarding Leads and Senior Leadership Team, you’ll play a vital role in supporting the attendance, behaviour, welfare and safeguarding of a year group. You’ll build strong relationships with students and families, help remove barriers to learning and ensure that every child has the support they need to thrive.
No two days are the same. One moment you might be supporting a student through a difficult situation, speaking with parents and coordinating support from external agencies. The next, you’ll be monitoring attendance, investigating concerns, responding to behaviour incidents or helping a young person find the confidence to re-engage with school life.
You’ll be a calm presence in challenging situations, a trusted point of contact for families and an advocate for the children who need someone in their corner.
What the school offers its staff
- In return, you’ll be joining a school community where pastoral care is valued and where the work you do genuinely changes lives.
- You’ll benefit from ongoing professional development, training and CPD opportunities, alongside a personalised induction programme supported by an experienced mentor.
- You’ll work as part of a collaborative and supportive team who understand the rewards and challenges of pastoral work and who are always willing to help one another.
- Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to make a lasting difference every single day.
Further information about the job
Pastoral Manager – Ferndown Middle School
£29,541 – £32,046 per annum, pro rata to £17, 764 – £19,271 per annum for 26 hours, term time only26 hours per weekPermanent, Term time onlyStart Date: As soon as possible
At Southern Education Trust, our vision is simple – Making Lives Better. We’re all united by three shared values: Kindness, Collaboration and Creativity. Those values shape how we support our pupils, our families and each other.
At Ferndown Middle School, we’re looking for a Pastoral Manager who understands that every child has a story.
Some arrive at school ready to learn. Others arrive carrying worries, challenges, frustrations or circumstances that can make school life feel much harder. The difference often comes down to having the right person there to listen, support, encourage and act when it matters most.
This role is about being that person.
Working alongside our Heads of Year, Designated Safeguarding Leads and Senior Leadership Team, you’ll play a vital role in supporting the attendance, behaviour, welfare and safeguarding of a year group. You’ll build strong relationships with students and families, help remove barriers to learning and ensure that every child has the support they need to thrive.
No two days are the same. One moment you might be supporting a student through a difficult situation, speaking with parents and coordinating support from external agencies. The next, you’ll be monitoring attendance, investigating concerns, responding to behaviour incidents or helping a young person find the confidence to re-engage with school life.
You’ll be a calm presence in challenging situations, a trusted point of contact for families and an advocate for the children who need someone in their corner.
About You
- You may already be working as a Pastoral Manager, Behaviour Support Worker, Family Support Worker or in another role supporting children and young people.
- What matters most is your ability to build relationships and make a difference.
- You’re approachable but firm. Compassionate but resilient. You understand that effective pastoral support requires kindness, consistency and clear boundaries in equal measure.
- You’ll be confident working with parents, staff and external agencies, able to manage sensitive situations professionally and skilled at finding practical solutions when challenges arise.
- You understand safeguarding, attendance and student welfare, and you’re committed to ensuring that every child feels seen, supported and safe.
- Most importantly, you’re someone who genuinely believes that with the right support, every young person can achieve more than they thought possible.
What We Can Offer You
- In return, you’ll be joining a school community where pastoral care is valued and where the work you do genuinely changes lives.
- You’ll benefit from ongoing professional development, training and CPD opportunities, alongside a personalised induction programme supported by an experienced mentor.
- You’ll work as part of a collaborative and supportive team who understand the rewards and challenges of pastoral work and who are always willing to help one another.
- Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to make a lasting difference every single day.
Because sometimes improving a child’s attendance changes their future. Sometimes a conversation prevents a problem from becoming a crisis. And sometimes simply knowing that somebody cares is enough to help a young person keep going.
If you’re passionate about supporting children, building strong relationships and helping every student achieve their very best, we’d love to hear from you.
Closing date: 2nd November 2026
Interview date: Wc 9th November 2026
Become part of our journey by completing our Support Staff Application Form and returning it to recruitment@southern.education if you would like to apply (please see our Pastoral Manager Job Description and FMS-Safeguarding-Children-Policy-SET-2025-26 or further information). As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, we kindly ask all applicants to complete a short, anonymised form alongside their application, linked here.
If you have any questions, please contact Isabel at the recruitment address, who will be happy to assist you.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)About Ferndown Middle School
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 9 to 13
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 600 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 9 to 13
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- recruitment@southern.education
Ferndown Middle School is located in Ferndown alongside Ferndown First and Ferndown Upper Schools and serves up to 600 pupils aged 9 to 13 (Years 5 to 8). The school is part of the Southern Education Trust, whose vision is "making lives better" for children, young people, and the communities it serves.
The Trust’s values of Kindness, Collaboration, and Creativity are at the heart of everything we do and shape the culture of our schools.
Our staff bring this vision to life by creating positive, inclusive learning environments where pupils grow into confident individuals, successful learners, and responsible citizens. As part of Southern Education Trust, colleagues benefit from a supportive, forward-thinking community that values collaboration, wellbeing, and professional development.
Arranging a visit to Ferndown Middle School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@southern.education.
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