Head of Pastoral - #53196

Job Description

Head of Pastoral (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

The British School of Geneva (BSG)

The British School of Geneva (BSG) seeks an outstanding Head of Pastoral to join its Senior Leadership Team. The successful candidate will also serve as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), providing strategic direction for all aspects of pastoral care, wellbeing, safeguarding and personal development across the school.

BSG provides premium education programmes for local and international students aged 3–18. Our vision is to be the school of choice in Geneva, where students achieve academic excellence and develop the life competencies required to thrive in an evolving world.

The Head of Pastoral will lead the school’s pastoral and safeguarding strategy, overseeing the House and Tutor Systems, the Life Competencies Curriculum, and the Behaviour and Conduct Policy, ensuring that every student is known, supported and inspired to reach their potential.

We Are Seeking a Leader Who:

• Has substantial experience in pastoral and safeguarding leadership in a British independent school or international setting
• Demonstrates excellent judgement, empathy and professionalism
• Can inspire staff, engage students and build trusted relationships with families
• Embodies our core values:
• Integrity – acting with honesty, fairness and moral courage
• Respect – valuing self and others, celebrating diversity
• Ambition – setting high standards and striving for excellence
• Resilience – showing determination and self-discipline through challenge
• Service – contributing positively through compassion and responsibility
• Curiosity – approaching learning with enthusiasm and creativity
  

Why Join BSG?

• A purposeful, caring and internationally minded community
• Extensive professional growth opportunities within the International Schools Partnership (ISP)
• The opportunity to shape and strengthen the school’s pastoral and safeguarding culture
• A key leadership position within the Senior Leadership Team
• Strong alignment with the Mission, Vision and Values of The British School of Geneva
  
  

Job Description

Purpose of Role

The Head of Pastoral provides whole-school leadership for pastoral care, wellbeing, safeguarding and personal development.

As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, the postholder ensures that the highest standards of child protection, compliance and professional practice are upheld throughout the school.

The role also leads the House and Tutor Systems, the Life Competencies Curriculum, and the Behaviour and Conduct Policy, ensuring that every student experiences the school’s Mission, Vision and Values in daily life.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of the school’s pastoral and wellbeing strategy.
• Serve as a senior leader contributing to the strategic direction and accreditation readiness of the school.
• Foster a culture in which all students feel safe, respected and motivated to achieve their best.
• Analyse pastoral and wellbeing data (attendance, behaviour, safeguarding) to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with academic and operational leaders to ensure coherence between academic progress and personal development.
  
  

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

• Act as the school’s DSL in accordance with Swiss legislation, ISP standards and BSG policy.
• Lead the identification, management and reporting of all safeguarding concerns via MyConcern and SAI360.
• Liaise with external agencies, local authorities and families as appropriate.
• Ensure all staff receive initial and annual safeguarding training.
• Chair the Safeguarding and Child Protection Committee and report regularly to the Executive Principal.
  
  

House and Tutor Systems

• Lead and develop the House System as a vehicle for belonging, pride and student leadership.
• Oversee the Tutor System, ensuring consistent, high-quality daily care for every student.
• Work with admissions and academic staff to assess and identify student needs both at entry and throughout enrolment.
• Coordinate inter-house activities and assemblies that promote teamwork, service and competition.
• Train and mentor tutors and House Leaders to deliver effective pastoral and Life Competencies sessions.
  
  

Behaviour, Conduct and Attendance

• Lead and implement the Behaviour and Conduct Policy, ensuring restorative and consistent practice.
• Monitor attendance and punctuality, taking action where concerns arise.
• Promote positive behaviour and celebrate achievement through whole-school recognition systems.
• Support staff in managing classroom behaviour and fostering a respectful learning climate.
  
  

Life Competencies Curriculum

• Design and oversee the Life Competencies Curriculum, focusing on resilience, empathy, leadership, digital citizenship and global awareness.
• Ensure the curriculum is integrated across tutor time, assemblies and enrichment.
• Provide staff training and guidance to ensure confident, consistent delivery.
• Evaluate and update the programme annually to maintain relevance and impact.
  
  

Community and Partnerships

• Build strong relationships with parents and carers on matters of wellbeing, behaviour and safeguarding.
• Collaborate with external professionals to coordinate comprehensive support for students.
• Represent the school in relevant local and international networks, including the International Schools Partnership (ISP) Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS).
• Promote the school’s pastoral ethos through events, publications and outreach.
  
  

Person Specification

Essential

• Degree and recognised teaching qualification
• Proven leadership in pastoral or safeguarding contexts
• Deep understanding of safeguarding frameworks and wellbeing practice
• Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills
• Experience leading teams, tutors or houses
• Strong alignment with the Mission, Vision and Values of The British School of Geneva
  
  

Desirable

• Further qualification in pastoral leadership, counselling or child protection
• Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Experience in an international or multilingual context
• Familiarity with reporting systems such as MyConcern and SAI360
• Experience designing or leading Life Competencies or PSHE programmes
• Experience in a British independent or international school setting
  
  

Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build trust and collaboration with all stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of inclusion, SEN, and personalised learning strategies.
• Data-driven approach to monitoring student progress and evaluating impact.
• Commitment to safeguarding, child protection, and promoting the wellbeing of all students.
  
  

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding

and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.