Are you passionate about supporting children and families, creating meaningful connections, and making a difference in your community? Leigh Academy Bearsted is seeking a dedicated and empathetic Pastoral Support Officer to become a vital part of our team. This rewarding role offers the exciting opportunity to work closely with children, parents, staff, and external agencies to ensure our students thrive both academically and personally while helping our academy run smoothly every day.

As our Pastoral Support Officer, you’ll play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between home and the academy. You will:

• Build lasting relationships with families, acting as their key point of contact to ensure children receive the support they need.
• Collaborate closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and external agencies to protect and support vulnerable children.
• Coordinate interventions and attend Child in Need (CHiN), Child Protection, and Core Group meetings, ensuring effective communication and follow-up actions.
• Empower students by addressing external challenges that may impact their learning, helping them to maximize their potential in the classroom.
• Support the well-being of pupils, helping them feel safe, happy, and ready to learn.
• Promote excellent attendance by working with families to improve punctuality and engagement.

At Leigh Academy Bearsted, we believe in creating a nurturing and supportive environment where every child can thrive. As a Pastoral Support Officer, you’ll be at the heart of this mission, making a tangible impact on the lives of children and their families. You’ll join a collaborative and passionate team committed to providing the best possible outcomes for our students.

The basis of this role is permanent working 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday), Term Time + 1 week of inset and offering an actual salary of £28,009 per annum (£32,130 full-time equivalent) based on experience.

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a suitable candidate be found before the closing date. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Working with us at Leigh Academy Bearsted

Leigh Academy Bearsted is an "exceptional academy in every way" as judged by Ofsted in January 2023. We are a growing academy, housed in a new, spacious, and modern building with well-resourced classrooms and extensive outdoor learning areas.

At our core is a broad and balanced curriculum, significantly enhanced as an authorised International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) World School. This inquiry-led framework fosters independent learners and challenging experiences, developing a genuine thirst for learning. We focus on the whole child, nurturing social, emotional, and academic skills, encouraging them to challenge, question, and take ownership of their learning.

Ofsted highlighted our outstanding ongoing professional development for staff, delivered both internally and by Trust curriculum experts. We are committed to providing a safe, caring environment where children feel empowered to take risks, embrace learning, and develop pride in their achievements.

Discover more about our vibrant academy by visiting our website.

Applying for this Opportunity

Thank you for your interest in joining us. If you’d like to find out more about this role or arrange a visit to the academy, please don’t hesitate to contact Amy Wenban (Recruitment Advisor): amy.wenban@latrust.org.uk / 01634 412 205.

To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack by clicking here, which outlines the full role responsibilities and person specification. This will guide you in preparing a strong application and understanding what we’re looking for.

Early applications are encouraged, as we reserve the right to interview before the closing date. All applications must be submitted through our online application form prior to the deadline.