Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral and Pupils) – September 2025

Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral and Pupils) CANDIDATE INFORMATION Dear prospective candidate, Thank you for taking the time to read this booklet about the new post of Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral and Pupils) here at Sutton Valence School. The School finds itself at a fascinating point in its history. We are about to celebrate our 450th anniversary and have just launched an exciting, ambitious and pragmatic Strategic Plan called ‘To 450 and Beyond’. In order to facilitate this, there will be a restructure of the leadership of the School, hence this opportunity has arisen. It is a wonderful place to work, I can assure you. We have a hugely talented staff, inspirational young people, highly supportive parents, and interested and involved alumni. We really are a strong community and the opportunity to have such an important leadership role within it will, I trust, excite you. You will no doubt be able to find out much about us online via our website and social media channels, and I look forward in due course to talking with you should you be selected to take part in the process. With best wishes, James Anthony Thomas MA (Cantab) MA (London) NPQH Headmaster Welcome The Headmaster, James Thomas, and Head of Senior School Elect, David Sansom, are seeking to appoint a dynamic and forward-looking person to the new position of Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral and Pupils) to start in September 2025. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and passionate educationalist to lead and contribute to this essential aspect of the School as it enters its next chapter. Next academic year, Sutton Valence School will celebrate its 450th Anniversary and there is a new strategic plan called ‘To 450 and Beyond’ to enable the School to continue its drive forwards. The restructuring of the leadership of the School is an integral part of this, hence the appointment of this new post. The Role The Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral and Pupils) will be appointed by the Headmaster of Sutton Valence School and will be responsible to the Head of Senior School. The post would suit either a Middle Leader seeking a Senior Leadership post or somebody already in a similar senior position. Overall purpose of the job To lead and develop the pastoral aspect of the Senior School so that pupils can flourish in a supportive environment now and in the future, providing clear leadership in principles, policy, and practice in line with the School’s ethos. Be responsible for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the pupils at the School with Safeguarding at the heart of their approach. Implement and lead on the School’s policies on behaviour, discipline, and anti-bullying. Be responsible for the delivery of health and safety policies. Foster warm and positive relationships between the School, parents, and the local community. Support the charitable objectives and Christian traditions of the School and its Foundation. Assist the driving forward of the strategic direction of the School and be responsible for implementing aspects of the development plan. Leadership, management and key responsibilities Line manage the Assistant Head (Wellbeing) and Assistant Head (Safeguarding and DSL). Line manage a range of middle leaders including the Housemasters/mistresses, Head of Boarding, and some co-curricular leaders as appropriate/required. Lead on various School events including celebrations, induction processes, seminars for students, staff, and parents. Work closely with members of staff responsible for Careers, Futures, and Higher Education. With other members of the SMT, take on aspects of Student Leadership. Have oversight of aspects of the Scholarship Programme. Have a passionate commitment to the development of the pupils, understand the needs and concerns of their age group and have a natural empathy with them. Have an up-to-date and appropriate level of knowledge of matters relating to inspection and legal compliance, child protection, safeguarding, and health and safety regulations. Understand the merits and benefits of working in an ‘all-through’ School with an appreciation of the appeal and strengths of Boarding as well as Day School life. Display energy and imagination, have a vision for what the School should achieve in the future, with the courage to innovate. Have an open, participative, collegiate style, with an inclusive and empowering approach to management, and an ability to build trust and foster team spirit. Be a team player, able to work effectively and harmoniously in the dynamic of an ‘all-through’ School. Take a lead on the rewards and sanctions systems and their implementation. Take a lead on the School’s approach to uniform and dress code. Co-ordinate the various external speakers from a wide range of life. Attend the Boarding Council and Committees, led by the Head of Boarding. Ensure a fully up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures. Undertake, and on occasion lead, relevant training. Be a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead within the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Structures. Be well versed in Safeguarding aspects relating to Boarding including the NMS. Attend Governors’ Safeguarding Committee meetings Half Termly (co-ordinated by the DSL). Candidate profile The Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral and Pupils) will be able to demonstrate care, a natural, approachable and warm authority, leading by example, and commanding the respect of pupils, staff, and parents. In addition, he or she will: Be able to relate to, value, nurture and communicate well with all members of the School community. Value and promote inclusion and have the skills to run an inclusive and diverse School community. Demonstrate the ability to plan and think strategically. Demonstrate personal strength of character through transparency, integrity, and fairness. Be a confident, effective communicator in a variety of situations and audiences, from the sensitive and private conversation with a community member in distress, to presenting to a large audience. Possess a sense of humour. Have relevant leadership and management experience with a proven track record of success. Have an understanding of the unique Kent education landscape (or similar) or the ability to learn it quickly. Have proven administrative skills, be highly computer literate, and a confident user of ICT for communications and management purposes. Have the ability to establish clear standards, evaluate performance, delegate effectively and manage time effectively. Qualifications Educated to degree level with any postgraduate or leadership qualification potentially an advantage. Teaching qualifications (QTS). Evidence of continuing professional development. The Headmaster is offering an attractive and competitive salary to secure the best candidate. Accommodation will be available if desired. Other benefits including access to medical care scheme through Benenden Health and fee remission for children in the School will be made available in accordance with Governors’ policy for staff. The School has a flexible pay and pension package with membership of either the TPS or AVIVA APTIS available with different contribution levels as desired by the candidate up to a maximum level as agreed with the School. There are also other benefits such as an optional e-vehicle leasing scheme, a subscription to Press Reader, meals in term time, and access to the outstanding fitness facilities and pool. Do not meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Sutton Valence School we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification or experience in the information provided, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. We are very proud of the positive and supportive community we have and staff often comment on this being one of the best aspects of working at Sutton Valence School. This, coupled with a beautiful physical environment both at School and in the immediate vicinity, make it a highly desirable place to work. The Process Advertising period: 13th January 2025 to 29th January 2025 Deadline for Applications: 29th January 2025 5pm Longlist interviews via Teams: Week commencing 3rd February 2025 Shortlist interviews and School familiarisation visits: Week commencing 10th February 2025 Further information about Sutton Valence School can be found on our website www.svs.org.uk. To apply, please complete the application and monitoring form and email it with a covering letter to bishops@svs.org.uk or post it for the attention of the Headmaster’s PA, Sutton Valence School, North Street, Sutton Valence, Kent ME17 3HL. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and a declaration of medical fitness. It is an offence to apply for this role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A copy of the School’s Child Protection policy may be found on the School’s website, which all applicants are expected to read prior to interview. Further Information: Please approach Mrs Sari Bishop, PA to the Headmaster with any questions about the post or appointment process at bishops@svs.org.uk.

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