We are seeking a Pastoral Support to join our team at The Matthew Arnold School, part of Bourne Education Trust.

As Pastoral Support, your role is to support the inclusion, engagement, and wellbeing of students by providing high-quality pastoral and behavioural support, with a particular focus on students who are at risk of exclusion. The aim of the role is to ensure that students can successful be integrated back into lessons after a behaviour incident. This role plays a vital part in promoting a positive school culture where every student feels safe, supported, and able to thrive.

This role embodies our school motto: Dream Big, Work Hard, Achieve. You will play a pivotal role in fostering an environment where students are encouraged to aspire, supported to overcome challenges, and guided to achieve their full potential.

About The Matthew Arnold School

The Matthew Arnold School is a thriving mixed comprehensive school for 11-16 year olds in Staines-upon-Thames, rated 'Good' in our February 2024 Ofsted inspection where we were recognised as "a school where students and staff are aspirational."

Our philosophy centres on both academic improvement and character development, encouraging students to challenge themselves and embody our motto: "Dream Big, Work Hard and Achieve." Our core values of Respect, Kindness, and Aspiration are embedded throughout school life.

The people make our school special—from inquisitive children growing into confident young adults, to our talented staff who guide them. We provide an ambitious curriculum complemented by excellent facilities and a diverse enrichment programme, while our strong pastoral structure ensures students develop into resilient individuals. Additionally, our newly established purpose-built smallholding, home to goats, chickens, and ducks, provides a unique opportunity for students to cultivate nurturing and caring skills.

As part of the Bourne Education Trust (BET), a successful multi-academy trust comprising twenty-five schools across Surrey, Hampshire, and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, staff benefit from a robust support network in a collaborative environment. We are committed to creating a community where students, staff, and families proudly contribute to both the school and wider community through "transforming schools...changing lives."

Details

Position: Pastoral Support

Contract: Permanent, term time

Hours: 36 hours per week, 36.8 weeks per annum

Start Date: September 2025

Salary: Surrey Support Pay Scale 5 (£26,777 FTE; Actual salary £22,642)

Benefits

• Generous workplace pension through LGPS (Employer contribution 18.9%)
• Condensed school year, including two week half term in October
• Ongoing training, learning and development opportunities
• Recognition policies for exceptional performance and long service
• Well-being support, including 24/7 online GP access, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), online wellness support and free eye tests
• Access to savings on your everyday spending including groceries, homeware, entertainment and holidays, through My Staff Shop benefits platform
• Work-life balance, and family friendly policies and processes
• Free on-site parking and cycle to work scheme
• Occupational sick pay
• Electric car chargers
• Free access to onsite gym after school

Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborate with Heads of Year to develop and implement personalised behaviour and pastoral care plans.
• Monitor and support students placed in internal isolation or reflection spaces, ensuring a calm, purposeful environment that promotes re-engagement with learning.
• Assist students in completing academic work during isolation or after removal from lessons, liaising with teaching staff to ensure continuity of learning.

Requirements include:

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate an awareness, understanding and commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children.
• Experience supporting young people in a behaviour, pastoral, or mentoring capacity.
• Understanding of the social, emotional, and behavioural challenges faced by secondary school students.
• Empathetic, calm, patient, and resilient in challenging situations.

Desirable

• GCSE in Maths and English (or equivalent appropriate qualification).
• Familiarity with behaviour support approaches such as Restorative Practice.
• Experience of working within an educational setting.

For full job description and requirements, please see applicant pack on our careers website.

Our Culture

At Bourne Education Trust, we value colleagues who are:

• Reflective, optimistic and aspirational
• Collaborative and innovative
• Committed, engaged and professional
• Advocates for equality and inclusivity

How to apply for this role:

Please click 'Apply' to be redirected to our careers site. From there, you can access our applicant information pack and complete our online application form. Please note CVs without a fully completed application form will not be considered.

The closing date for this role is the 23rd May 2025.

Bourne Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare and safety of its staff and pupils, and follows rigorous safer recruitment procedures. We expect all candidates to meet the highest standard of safeguarding and successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Bourne Education Trust is committed to equality of opportunity for all colleagues, pupils and other stakeholders. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. In advertising our vacancies, we are committed to accommodating diverse needs. If you require the applicant job pack to be supplied in a different format, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to provide a suitable alternative.