Job Opportunity: Head of Pastoral at La Garenne International School
La Garenne International School is seeking to appoint a highly capable and dedicated Head of Pastoral. The Head of Pastoral plays a critical role in ensuring a coherent, safe, and enriching student experience throughout the entire 24-hour school cycle, effectively connecting academic life, boarding, and co-curricular activities for students aged 4–18.
This position operates at the same leadership level as the Heads of Primary & Middle School and Head of Secondary, reporting directly to the School Principal. The role requires close collaboration to support the school’s mission through a consistent and integrated pastoral approach.
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the General Director, School Principal, Head of Primary & Middle School, and Head of Secondary to ensure alignment across academic, pastoral, and boarding provision.
- Lead the strategic development and implementation of whole-school pastoral systems, ensuring consistency across Primary, Middle, and High School.
- Act as one of the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) during key times to ensure 24/7 coverage and compliance with Swiss and international safeguarding standards.
- Foster effective communication and collaboration among academic staff, boarding teams, and co-curricular/activity coordinators.
- Oversee the strategic management of all boarding houses, ensuring a high-quality and consistent student experience.
- Work closely with Heads of Section to align boarding and academic provisions, including behaviors, routines, and student support.
- Support Heads of Section in managing complex pastoral and safeguarding cases for a coordinated whole-school approach.
- Develop and implement evening, weekend, and co-curricular provisions that align with student well-being and development goals.
- Lead and contribute to staff training in safeguarding, pastoral care, and boarding practices.
- Build strong relationships with students, parents, and boarding families through clear and consistent communication regarding student well-being.
- Actively participate in the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the school's overall strategy and development.
Organisation & Administration
- Oversee pastoral systems within school platforms (e.g., iSAMS), ensuring accurate records related to safeguarding, behavior, and student well-being.
- Develop and monitor systems for tracking student well-being, behavior, and engagement across all contexts.
- Establish effective communication structures between boarding and academic teams.
- Help coordinate the school calendar, particularly in relation to boarding, activities, and student well-being initiatives.
- Provide insights for admissions processes where pastoral knowledge is required.
- Contribute to accreditation and inspection processes regarding safeguarding, boarding, and student welfare.
- Monitor the quality and consistency of boarding and co-curricular provisions, identifying areas for development.
General Duties
- Uphold and promote the school’s mission statement and IB philosophy.
- Maintain a visible and engaged leadership presence across the school, including evenings, weekends, and school events.
- Support conflict resolution and mediation concerning students and staff.
- Contribute to assemblies, student events, and the broader school community.
- Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to drive continuous school improvement.
- Recommend enhancements to improve the overall student experience across academic, boarding, and co-curricular provisions.
Please note that while the key responsibilities outlined above are comprehensive, the role may also involve varying tasks depending on the school and faculty's needs, as directed by the School Principal. Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.