Pastoral Assistant

Job Description

Dear Candidate

We have an exciting opportunity for a brand new role of Pastoral Assistant to join us . Could this be you?

We need someone who is interested in working under the supervision of our Pastoral Lead to:

·Specifically support the pastoral care of all pupils in all aspects of their lives at school

·Exemplify and model the school ethos and Hawthorns Code

·Use good admin skills to efficiently and independently update records and logs

·Be able to use initiative, be adaptable and cope with very challenging situations

·Be a ready support for the rest of the team in supporting dysregulated pupils

·Be endlessly flexible and respond quickly to pupil, staff and leadership demands

Our new pastoral assistant will be:

·Reflective, and curious taking time to 'wonder' and consider new strategies to support each young person

·Endlessly flexible and adaptable and who doesn't mind every day looking different

·A skilled practitioner supporting pupils with additional needs and a diverse profile

·Efficient and able to work independently

·Resilient with compassion and strong relational qualities

·Able to spot patterns and trends through behaviours and data

·Collaborative and able to work with a range of professionals and families

·Energetic who thinks, watches, listens but also takes initiative

·Curious about every pupil individually and will understand their motivations, interests and worries

·Able to support others to find ways for pupils to engage, learn and achieve?

Are you someone who can help us do all of this, still smile at the end of the day and start fresh tomorrow?

Thank you for your interest in this post. The Hawthorns School opened its doors in January 2023, for children with autism. We are now in our beautiful brand new purpose-built school and are expanding our provision. We need to add to our team of staff who make up a therapeutic, dedicated, tight-knit and supportive team, prioritising the needs of the pupils through an evolving curriculum with the development of social communication at its core. This is a very specific role and will entail working under the direction of our Pastoral Lead but also working in the classroom as an LSA at times. We need an individual who works hard, has a desire to learn, is adaptable and has a 'can do' attitude. In return, we can offer you professional fulfilment and development, care and attention to wellbeing, a lot of fun and a brilliant, supportive team to work with.

The Hawthorns School is one of a community of Special Schools, supported by the well-established and highly regarded SEAX Trust.

Best wishes

Diane Rigg

Headteacher, The Hawthorns School

Information about the School

The Hawthorns School opened its doors in January 2023 for children with autism. We are now in our beautiful purpose-built school in the heart of Chelmsford and are extending our provision for KS3 and KS4 pupils.

The provision at the school caters for pupils who have a diagnosis of autism and will offer a full-time education with a focus on social communication, emotional regulation and relationship-building while, at the same time, offering a broad and balanced range of curriculum subjects, including literacy and numeracy.

Pupils will be aged 7-16 and will have an EHCP. There will be ten residential places available for pupils from Monday to Thursday each school week. These will be managed by the school and will enhance the day curriculum offer.

We have established a school which embodies the ethos, vision and values of the SEAX Trust and the other schools in the Trust (Thriftwood School & College, Langham Oaks School, Grove House School and Kingswode Hoe School).

The Hawthorns’ mission:

Our mission is to provide a personalised and imaginative curriculum designed to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to build the basis for a purposeful and fulfilling adult life for young people with autism. Through outstanding teaching and secure relationships, pupils will gain the confidence to communicate effectively, acquire appropriate accreditation for next steps forward, learn core skills for life, develop healthy relationships, self-advocate, contribute to their community and keep themselves safe.