Year 7 Lead with Pastoral and DDSL responsibilities

Sturminster Newton High School, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1DT

20 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  2 June 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  11 May 2026

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: £28,199.00 - £31,983.00 Annually (Actual) Grade 9, Point 19-25 (subject to experience)

Year 7 Lead with Pastoral and DDSL responsibilities job summary

Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted and an appointment may be made before the closing date, therefore an early application is encouraged.

Salary: Grade 9, Point 19 - 25: £28,199 - £31,983 per annum (salary subject to experience)

Contract: Permanent, 37 hours per week (there is an expectation to attend occasional evening events), 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days)

We are seeking to appoint a hard‑working, enthusiastic and reliable Year 7 Lead (Support Staff) to join our pastoral team. This role combines pastoral leadership, phased transfer support, and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) responsibilities and is ideal for someone passionate about supporting young people at a key stage of their education.

Core hours will normally be worked between 8.30am and 4.30pm, however there will be an expectation to work some evenings to support key events such as Year 5/6 open evenings and parental consultation evenings. These requirements will be planned in advance where possible.

The postholder will provide short‑term and ongoing pastoral support to students, working closely with parents, staff, and external agencies as required, and will act as one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide pastoral support to Year 7 students, both individually and in small groups
• Lead and support phased transfer support from Year 6 into Year 7
• Work closely with parents, carers, and external agencies to support student wellbeing
• Support safeguarding matters and act as one of the DDSLs
• Assist with behaviour, attendance, and wellbeing interventions
• To monitor attendance through School attendance system, working with the Attendance Officer
• Maintain accurate and confidential records

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Be able to deal with all matters confidentially and sensitively
• Work independently, using initiative in an organised and flexible manner
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with students, parents, staff, external agencies, and the Local Authority
• Be professional and welcoming when dealing with visitors to the school
• Motivate, encourage, and build positive relationships with pupils
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding and inclusion

Should you wish to arrange a visit to view the School, please do not hesitate to contact Jo Bruton, Head's PA at 4179jbr@mysnhs.net who will be happy to arrange this.

SAST will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. In line with KCSIE guidance, this will be part of safer recruitment checks, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role will include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child. It will have some contact with young people on a day-to day basis. SAST 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 candidate will have to meet the person specification and the post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

SAST recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a workforce which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. SAST values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010 SAST welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

This role is UK- based and your right to work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

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

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role will include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child. It will have contact with young people on a day-to day basis. SAST 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 candidate will meet the person specification and is subject to an enhanced DBS and Children’s Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

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 Sturminster Newton High School

• School type: Academies, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 617 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Sturminster Newton High School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/sturminster-newton-high-school-sturminster-newton

Sturminster Newton High School is a mixed 11-18 comprehensive school with a good reputation as a small, community focussed school serving a wide rural catchment area. We are extremely proud of our school where we set high standards for academic and personal achievement and we value the size of our school community which allows staff and students know one another and students to be treated and valued as individuals.

The school promotes a happy and purposeful teaching environment, where all are supported and encouraged to do their best. “pupils are now making better progress than they have in previous years.” Ofsted 2018. In September 2021 the school introduced a broad enrichment programme, designed to compensate for missed opportunities during the pandemic, where we offer a variety of academic, creative, sporting and wellbeing activities run by the school and local community.

School location

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