Student Support Leader (Pastoral Leader)

Lift Unity City, Middlesbrough, TS3 8RE

21 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  15 May 2026 at 2:52pm

• Date listed

  24 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other support roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £27000 - £31214 per annum

Student Support Leader (Pastoral Leader) job summary

Salary: NJC 12-19 £27,000 - £31,214 (Actual Salary) £28,598 - £32,061 (FTE) + well-being cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

Hours: 37 per week, 43 weeks per year

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: 13th May

Start date: September 2026

Think you know Lift Unity City? It might surprise you

Lift Unity City is fast becoming the local school of choice as we are driven by an unwavering commitment to; transforming futures, breaking social stereotypes, and ensuring every student secures excellent life opportunities.

About the Role

This is a dynamic, student-facing role where no two days are the same. You'll take ownership of a year group, monitoring behaviour, attendance and punctuality while providing outstanding pastoral care.

You'll build strong relationships with students, families and staff, acting as a trusted adult, problem-solver and role model; ensuring every student is supported to succeed both in and beyond the classroom.

Key Responsibilities

* Champion student wellbeing by providing proactive pastoral support and early intervention
* Monitor behaviour, attendance and punctuality, identifying trends and implementing effective strategies
* Act as a key worker for vulnerable and "at risk" students, including those with SEND or safeguarding needs
* Lead on behaviour support, including de-escalation, behaviour plans and reintegration following suspension
* Work closely with families and external agencies to secure the best outcomes for students
* Use data systems to track, analyse and report on student progress, behaviour and pastoral trends
* Collaborate with teaching staff and senior leaders to maintain a positive, inclusive school culture

What We're Looking For (Essential Criteria)

* GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent
* Experience motivating young people and promoting high expectations
* Strong data skills, able to analyse trends and use insights to drive action
* Knowledge of safeguarding, child protection and the education sector
* Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with students, families and professionals
* Calm, confident behaviour management with the ability to de-escalate challenging situations
* Proactive, resilient and solution-focused with the ability to manage competing priorities
* A compassionate, non-judgmental approach and genuine passion for supporting young people

About the school

Lift Unity City is a thriving and diverse school in Middlesbrough, known for its sharp focus on student success. Awarded a 'Good' rating by Ofsted, we are proud of our supportive community and collaborative culture. Our school vision is simple, yet powerful- 'everyone has a determination to succeed, a love of learning, pride in their school and a strength of character.' Alongside excellent leadership and teaching, we will help children to go on to lead successful and happy lives.

Here, you'll be part of a passionate team committed to making a real difference, with the opportunity to contribute to an exciting school improvement journey and see your impact firsthand. With a clear vision and strong community behind us, Lift Unity City is a place where success is the expectation.

At Lift Unity City, we whole-heartedly believe all young people deserve a well-rounded, culturally rich education that fully prepares them to be confident in their ability to prosper in tomorrow's world. To be a part of their life changing journey is a privilege and a pleasure.

Who is Lift Schools?

We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 58 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.

We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

We offer you:

* Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
* Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
* Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Lift Schools is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Lift Unity City

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1027 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Lift Unity City website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/unity-city-academy

Welcome to Lift Unity City where our vision is of a school in which staff and students have a determination to succeed, a love of learning, pride in the school and a strength of character. We are committed to ensuring that all students are equipped with the academic and emotional skills which will allow them to lead successful and fulfilling lives.

All students follow a vision programme which aims to develop nine key character traits (curiosity, courage, empathy, enthusiasm, gratitude, integrity, resilience, self-belief and self-control). These character traits have been shown to boost academic performance and increase the chances of future success. Tutors and pupils work closely to develop these characteristics, tracking pupil progress throughout the year and intervening where necessary.

We take from a very diverse catchment area which means that our students are at the heart of everything we do, and we challenge and support them to achieve their full potential. You will find our students to be engaging, proud to live in and give back to their community and are ready to learn – all we need is you!

Ofsted

During our last inspection Lift Unity City secured a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating (May 2022).

WHY JOIN OUR SCHOOL?

Who is Lift Schools?

Lift Schools is made up of 57 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

Our mission:

We will provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.
With excellent leadership and teaching in every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives.
We will work with others beyond our network to benefit more children and communities.
Development:

We are committed to developing all staff at all levels through high quality development opportunities, resources, and experiences that will support you on your professional learning journey with Lift Schools.

Lifestyle:

We champion agile/flexible working across the Trust to help our people achieve an optimal work/life balance.

Money:

All staff have access to our pension schemes (Local Government Pension Scheme and Teachers’ Pension Scheme). Everyone has free access to financial advice & support and can access a wide range of retail discounts through our Lift Schools Benefits scheme. We also offer Technology Loans to help with any big digital purchases.

Wellbeing:

We recognise that mental wellbeing is just as important as physical and have set up employee assistance programmes which offer free and confidential counselling 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our employees can access our health cash place scheme from BHSF.

School location

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