Pastoral Assistant

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

Job Tile:    Pastoral Assistant 

Location:  Willow Park School, Milton Keynes, MK14 6LJ

Salary:       £26,000 per annum

Hours:       40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8am - 4pm

Contract:   Permanent, Term Time Only

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Pastoral Assistant to join our close-knit team at Willow Park School located in Milton Keynes.

About the role

To support and promote a positive, caring environment, which focuses upon and addresses the needs of each individual child or young person. The role exists to guide all staff in the support approaches most successful for the inclusion of young people in the classroom to ensure that continuous learning is achieved during learning phases in the school.

The successful applicant will provide direct support to young people in crisis and who require additional care throughout the school day and to oversee and contribute to the wider planning around the holistic development of young people in the long term. To work alongside the Head of Behaviour and welfare to implement strategies, processes and approaches that are in fitting with the school’s approach.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all policies, procedures and practices reflect the school’s commitment to the importance and value of the individual. It is therefore your task to challenge and change any policies, procedures or practice which is discriminatory or prejudicial and which does not reflect or promote the ethos of the school and ensure that they successfully reflect good practice
• Ensure that all children and young people are treated with dignity and respect, in an environment, which reflects the importance of, and their right to be treated as valuable worthwhile individuals.
• Take every step necessary to ensure that our children and young people are protected from neglect, abuse and exploitation.
• Where deemed necessary by the Head teacher - To support class teachers by assisting in classroom management and by providing basic supervision and day care skills in relation to pupils.
• To assist in developing and implementing individual educational and behavioural programmes.
• As Pastoral assistant you are expected to maintain strict confidentiality in all areas of your work.

Qualifications Required

• Level 2 English and Maths

About us

Willow Park School is a brand new 55 place SEN school for pupils with complex needs including SEMH and Autism. A co-educational provision with entry from 9 years to 16 years old. Willow Park School is an exciting addition to the Acorn portfolio based in Milton Keynes.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education? 

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

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