Maiden Erlegh School in Reading is seeking to appoint a Pastoral Manager to lead and operationally manage the delivery of behaviour and pastoral systems across the school. This is a key role in ensuring high standards of conduct, consistency and student support, while helping to create a calm, safe and purposeful learning environment.

As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure everyone can perform at their best when applying to work with us. If you need any support with your application or adjustments during the selection process, please contact our People Team by emailing hr@maidenerleghtrust.org or calling 0118 929 6020.

The postholder will provide leadership and direction to the Pastoral Support Team, including Assistant Phase Leaders, and will oversee the daily deployment and effectiveness of behaviour support provision. This includes the Refocus Room, patrol and intervention systems, reactive behaviour arrangements and targeted pastoral support. The role will work closely with Heads of Year, senior leaders, the Attendance Officer, SENCO, safeguarding colleagues, parents, carers and external agencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational management of behaviour and pastoral systems across the school.
• Line manage the Pastoral Support Team, including Assistant Phase Leaders.
• Oversee the daily deployment and effectiveness of behaviour support provision, including the Refocus Room, patrol and intervention systems.
• Support students to engage with learning, complete work, access appropriate interventions and make progress.
• Coordinate targeted mentoring and inclusion support for vulnerable students.
• Support students who face behavioural, emotional, social, attendance-related or self-esteem barriers to learning.
• Undertake behaviour investigations and complete associated paperwork in line with school and Trust policy.
• Support reintegration following suspension or fixed term transfer where required.
• Log, monitor, analyse and report attendance, completed work, interventions, behaviour, rewards and impact.
• Produce analysis of the work and impact of the Pastoral Team for senior leaders.
• Liaise with parents, carers, colleagues and external agencies to reduce barriers to engagement and progress.
• Support the safeguarding team with incidents as required and contribute to the school’s child protection responsibilities.

The Ideal Candidate

• Has Grade 4 or equivalent in English and Maths.
• Is Safeguarding Level 3 trained, or willing to attend the required course.
• Has experience of managing a team, preferably a team working with vulnerable children.
• Can work effectively as part of a team and independently.
• Uses ICT effectively to support learning, recording and reporting.
• Has knowledge of relevant learning strategies and the standards of work expected from students.
• Can support positive behaviour management, particularly for vulnerable students.
• Is confident in conflict resolution and positive challenge.
• Remains calm under pressure and adapts well to changing situations.
• Builds positive relationships with students and responds sensitively to their needs.
• Communicates effectively with students, colleagues, parents, carers and external agencies.
• Brings a caring, positive, flexible and responsible approach to supporting vulnerable students.
• Is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Maiden Erlegh School in Reading (MER)

Maiden Erlegh School in Reading is an ambitious, over-subscribed 11–16 secondary school in an urban context. The school is as committed to staff and student wellbeing as it is to delivering high-quality education.

Staff voice is central to shaping change and wellbeing priorities. The school benefits from excellent modern facilities and is proud of its vibrant, diverse student body who work hard and have high aspirations. A link to the school can be found here

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across eleven schools, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all through collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference, a day that brings colleagues together to share best practice and learn from one another.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise, playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

Further information about working with us, and insight from colleagues across the Trust, can be found here on our website.

Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including :

Pension Scheme – Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual Leave – Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service

ME Day – One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event

Professional Development – Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities

Hybrid Working – Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles

Perkbox – Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points

Wellbeing and Health – Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)

Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 support and discount schemes

Mental Health First Aid Support

Recognition and Community – Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET

Employee Referral Scheme

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional Information

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references