Pastoral Mentor at St Josephs Catholic High School, Workington

Are you a resourceful, resilient, and highly disciplined individual seeking a rewarding second career?

We are actively recruiting Ex-Forces Personnel for a vital Pastoral Support and Behaviour Management role. Your unique skills-leadership, de-escalation, teamwork, and commitment-are exactly what's needed to mentor and inspire students aged 11-16 who benefit from strong, positive role models.

If you are ready to transition your invaluable experience into a role that makes a genuine difference every day, we invite you to apply.

About the Role: Translating Skills

We are seeking an individual whose background in the Army, Navy, or RAF has equipped them with transferable skills ideal for the dynamic school environment. The role focuses primarily on pastoral care and behaviour support, providing a structured, authoritative, and empathetic presence.

Core Responsibilities:

Mentoring & Role Modelling: Act as a strong Ex-Military role model for students, particularly those who are disengaged or facing social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) challenges.

Behaviour Intervention: Confidently implement school behaviour policies, using effective de-escalation techniques and structured strategies to manage challenging situations both in and out of the classroom.

Structured Support: Lead small group sessions and 1:1 mentoring focused on developing key life skills: discipline, resilience, teamwork, punctuality, and respect.

Student Engagement: Support student attendance, engagement, and uniform standards, translating military values into practical, positive outcomes for young people.

Safeguarding: Ensure all safeguarding protocols are adhered to, working closely with our Pastoral and Senior Leadership Teams.

Lesson Cover: Provide supervision to classes undertaking pre-set work in the absence of their normal teacher.

What You Bring: The Value of Military Service

We recognise the exceptional value of your service and the highly sought-after skills you possess:

Essential Skills & Background:

Service Leaver / Veteran Status: Proven background in HM Armed Forces (Army, Navy, RAF, or Marines)

Leadership & Discipline: Exceptional leadership skills, organisational ability, and a demonstrable commitment to personal discipline and high standards.

Resilience & Calm Under Pressure: The proven ability to remain calm and authoritative in high-pressure or conflict situations, with expertise in diffusing difficult behaviour.

Communication: Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, capable of building rapport and trust with young people, staff, and parents.

Commitment: Dedication to continuous professional development, particularly in areas like SEMH and child behaviour management.

Desirable:

Experience in a training, instructing, or mentoring role within the services.

Knowledge of local resources or community organisations in the Workington area.

Relevant training, such as Team Teach, First Aid, or Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Your transition into education is not just a career change-it's a continuation of public service. Schools greatly benefit from the structure, real-world experience, and mission-focused approach that veterans bring.

Immediate Impact: Your presence will immediately help improve behaviour standards and reduce low-level disruption.

Purposeful Work: Continue to serve your community by guiding and mentoring the next generation.

Ongoing Training: Receive specialist CPD tailored to the education sector (e.g., safeguarding, restorative practice, SEMH).

APPLY TODAY and take the next disciplined step in your career journey!

We offer a supportive working environment within a brilliant team, ample opportunities for personal career development, a comprehensive staff wellbeing service including on-line GP access and free gym facilities on site.

Hours: 8:15am - 4:15pm Monday to Thursday and 8:15am to 4:00pm on a Friday however we are happy to consider alternative working patterns/hours.

Term time [38 weeks per year] plus INSET training days [1 week]

If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact our us on 01900 873290 or at jade.greeves@sjchs.uk.  We would be delighted to take you on a tour of the school and answer any questions you may have.

Applications will be assessed as they are submitted and we reserve the right to invite candidates for interview prior to the closing date and to make an appointment before this date. Therefore, we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.

St Joseph's has been serving the local community for over 90 years and was one of the founding schools of the growing Mater Christi Multi Academy Trust. The Mater Christi MAT is a family of primary and secondary schools living and learning together for the common good of our children, families and communities. Further information about the school can be found at https://sjchs.uk

 St Joseph's is ideally located for easy access to the Lake District and everything the National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site has to offer. It is also within easy commuting distance from the popular market town of Cockermouth.

 St. Joseph's Catholic High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well-being of its pupils, engages with young people and staff in Policy and practice developments, proactively encourages feedback and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES:

 We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a preferred supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you! Any unsolicited CV’s will be sent at the recruitment agency’s own risk and will be interpreted as ‘gifts’ and we have no liability to you for any fee or otherwise. We reserve the right to engage with candidates directly having not, in any way, entered into your terms and conditions for this vacancy. By submitting an unsolicited CV to us, or to any member of our staff, you accept these terms as the default position. If we require your assistance with any vacancy we will contact you.