SAIL Academy, Reach South Academy Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional Senior Pastoral Manager and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) to join the school.

Post: Senior Pastoral Manager and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Location: SAIL Academy, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 9HS

FTE Salary Range: NJC Grade J Pt 21 - 23; £37,280 - £39,152

Actual Annual Salary: £35,320 - £37,094

Contract Type: Permanent, full-time, term time only + 3 weeks

Contract Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

 About the Role

The Senior Pastoral Manager and DDSL is an exciting leadership role at SAIL Academy. Working under the direction of the Deputy Headteacher, Pastoral, you will play a key role in the strategic leadership and implementation of pastoral care and safeguarding across the school.

In this role, you will:

• Be a highly visible presence in school, modelling high expectations for behaviour, attitudes and safeguarding culture
• Lead and coordinate Thrive practice across the school, ensuring effective assessment, intervention planning and impact evaluation
• Support the development and implementation of whole-school behaviour and pastoral systems and policies
• Meet regularly with staff to monitor behaviour, attendance, wellbeing and safeguarding concerns
• Lead the development of needs-led behaviour support plans, positive behaviour support strategies and risk assessments
• Provide expert advice and guidance to staff on behaviour, safeguarding, relational practice and restorative approaches
• Line manage pastoral staff and contribute to staff development, coaching and upskilling
• Analyse pastoral and behaviour data to identify trends and inform strategic planning
• Act as Anti-Bullying Lead, ensuring timely investigation and restorative follow-up
• Work closely with families, external agencies and stakeholders to ensure coordinated support for pupils
• Play a key role as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, including responding to safeguarding concerns, making referrals and attending multi-agency meetings
• Ensure safeguarding records are accurate, timely and compliant with statutory guidance

About the Successful Candidate

Our new Senior Pastoral Manager will:

• Have significant experience in a pastoral role, ideally within a specialist or SEMH setting
• Have a strong understanding of safeguarding practice and experience of multi-agency working
• Be Thrive trained with experience of leading or delivering Thrive interventions across a school
• Have data analysis skills, with the ability to use data to inform provision and drive improvement
• Demonstrate proven leadership and management skills, including line management experience or readiness to step into this responsibility
• Have a clear vision for inclusive, high-quality pastoral care and safeguarding
• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and support staff effectively
• Be committed to relational practice, co-regulation and restorative approaches
• Show resilience, professionalism and a strong commitment to achieving the best outcomes for all pupils

Desirable (but not essential):

• Level 3 Safeguarding / DDSL training
• Thrive leadership qualification
• Experience of leading whole-school initiatives
• De-escalation or physical intervention training
• Experience of working with pupils with SEMH and/or Autism profiles
• Experience of delivering CPD or staff training

About the School

SAIL Academy is an academy school within Reach South Academy Trust for pupils aged 5–16 with SEMH, ASD and complex needs, all of whom have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). We take a therapeutic, relationship-based approach, where behaviour is understood as communication.

We are a growing specialist provision where staff work in an immensely rewarding, and at times challenging, environment. Our work focuses on supporting pupils’ development of social, life and independence skills, ensuring that we make a genuine and lasting difference to their lives.

To achieve the best possible outcomes for our pupils, we take a holistic approach to education. This often means thinking beyond conventional educational experiences, ensuring that every young person is well prepared to lead a successful and independent adult life beyond school.

About the Trust

We are a family of schools working in partnership for the benefit of all our pupils and students. We believe our charitable aim, to advance education, is best achieved through collaboration, both within the Trust and beyond.

We operate 21 academies across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, serving learners aged 3 to 19. Alongside our primary, all-through and technical provision, we are proud to include a strong and integral network of seven special schools and one alternative provision setting.

These settings are a vital part of our community, providing inclusive, high-quality education for pupils with a wide range of needs, including complex learning profiles, autism, and social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as those who benefit from a more personalised approach. Together, we are committed to helping every young person thrive.

Next Steps 

If you think this role may be for you and want to be involved at this exciting time in our development and have any questions about the positions, please come and speak to Dan Goldstraw – Headteacher. 

Closing date: for applications is midnight on 21st June 2026

Interview Date:  Interviews are provisionally booked for the week commencing 29th June 2026.

To apply for this opportunity please visit MyNewTerm – our online application service. 

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. 

Opportunities and Benefits   

We offer a competitive salary plus TPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to an Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits.   

We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e-learning and face-to-face training.  

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.  

Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting.