Position Available: Head of Pastoral
La Garenne International School seeks to appoint a Head of Pastoral. This critical role ensures a coherent, safe, and high-quality student experience throughout the full 24-hour school cycle, seamlessly bridging academic life, boarding, and co-curricular activities for students aged 4–18.
The Head of Pastoral operates at the same leadership level as the Head of Primary & Middle School and Head of Secondary, reporting directly to the School Principal. Collaboration with these leaders is essential to support the school’s mission through a consistent and integrated pastoral approach.
The role focuses on strategic oversight rather than operational management of existing systems, aligning academic, boarding, and co-curricular teams to ensure continuity of care across all aspects of school life, including evenings and weekends.
While the position primarily requires evening and weekend availability, residing on campus is not mandatory, although proximity is essential. Working hours will be defined in consultation with the School Principal to ensure effective coverage across the full 24-hour school cycle.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Collaboration
- Collaborate effectively with the General Director, School Principal, Head of Primary & Middle, 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, ensuring compliance with Swiss and international safeguarding standards.
- Facilitate effective communication between academic staff, boarding teams, and co-curricular/activity coordinators.
- Develop systems that promote effective sharing of student information across all contexts (academic, boarding, and co-curricular).
Oversight of Boarding Houses
- Provide strategic oversight of all boarding houses, ensuring a high-quality and consistent student experience.
- Collaborate closely with Heads of Section to align boarding with academic provision, particularly regarding behaviour, routines, and student support.
- Support Heads of Section in managing complex pastoral and safeguarding cases, ensuring a coordinated whole-school approach.
Co-Curricular and Staff Development
- Develop and implement evening, weekend, and co-curricular provisions, aligning with student wellbeing and developmental goals.
- Lead and contribute to staff training in safeguarding, pastoral care, and boarding practice.
- Support staff wellbeing alongside the General Director and School Principal.
- Build strong relationships with students, parents, and boarding families, ensuring clear and consistent communication regarding student wellbeing.
- Act as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the overall strategy and development of the school.
Organisation & Administration
- Oversee pastoral systems within school platforms (e.g., iSAMS), maintaining accurate records relating to safeguarding, behaviour, and student wellbeing.
- Develop and monitor systems for tracking student wellbeing, behaviour, and engagement across academic, boarding, and co-curricular contexts.
- Ensure effective communication structures between boarding and academic teams.
- Contribute to the planning and coordination of the school calendar, particularly regarding boarding, activities, and wellbeing initiatives.
General Duties
- Promote and uphold the school’s mission statement and IB philosophy.
- Maintain a visible and active leadership presence throughout the school, including evenings, weekends, and school events.
- Support conflict resolution and mediation efforts involving students and staff.
- Contribute to assemblies, student events, and wider school life.
- Work with the Senior Leadership Team to support continuous school improvement.
- Make recommendations to enhance the overall student experience across academic, boarding, and co-curricular provisions.
Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. Apply online using the form below.