Appointment of Pastoral Support Assistant Term Time, Full Time

Information for Applicants

Letter from the Head of the Junior School

Dear Applicant

Thank you very much for your interest in the position of Pastoral Support Assistant. Alleyn’s Junior School is a close-knit community and a wonderful place to work. I am the Head, Simon Severino, and I am writing to you to explain why I think it is so special and why we are excited to be recruiting to our Infant Department.

Alleyn’s Junior School caters for children between 4 and 11 years old and is part of Alleyn’s School, a 400-year-old co-educational independent school on a 30-acre campus in the heart of Dulwich, South London. Whilst the children embrace the school’s shared facilities, including acres of grounds with a breath-taking view of the City of London, a highly-regarded 300-seat theatre and our much loved swimming pool and numerous sports facilities, they also benefit from a self-contained junior school community, in its own beautifully redeveloped and architecturally recognised buildings. This means that every child is seen as the individual they are and able to find their feet quickly on their school journey. Helping children to find their thing and be all that they can be is very much our shared goal.

We are well known for being an academically selective and highly performing junior school. Most importantly though, we offer our children a broad, holistic education so that they can discover their passions and build the foundations for a lifelong love of learning. Working at Alleyn’s Junior School, you will find yourself working with bright, curious, and engaged children who bring with them the passion, enthusiasm and creativity that makes every lesson unique and inspiring. Whatever their interests might be, we fling open the doors for them!

Life is full and busy here at Alleyn’s Junior School, as children throw themselves into a full range of sport, music, dance, drama, art and other co-curricular clubs. Because they automatically receive a place at the Senior School, they have the time and the space to be children, to explore learning for learning’s sake and to find the joy of discovery and enlightenment through the academic curriculum, our co-curricular offer, our House system which extends from Reception through to Year 6, and through copious amounts of play.

As a team, we are one staff, coming from both independent and state settings and working closely together, whether we are teachers, or play an operational role. We love to work as a team for our school events. Whether it’s our annual Year 6 play, our infant nativity, our comedy show ‘A Bit of a Laugh’ or our ‘Alleyn’s Junior School’s Got Talent’ competition, staff come together to play their part. Because we work together in every aspect of school life, we enjoy a strong bond, regular social events and a shared common space. There is a real sense of camaraderie and true partnership, with everyone supporting each other, and there are plenty of opportunities for development and progression.

The Alleyn’s Junior School community is inclusive and welcoming, and we work in partnership with our parent body, who regularly come on site before and after school, as well as for events, coffee mornings and workshops. Diversity and inclusivity are very important to us, and this is something we as staff have worked closely with parents on, to make sure that children understand from an early age that diversity is a cherished and important part of life and that their experience at school reflects that. The genuine diversity of pupils is reflected in the diversity of our staff body.

The informality, the warmth and the unpretentious approach at Alleyn’s Junior School really is infectious, and I hope you will feel it the moment you walk through the doors. There is nothing entitled, stuffy or pompous about this school; on the contrary we have an unpretentious warm, energy, that permeates through every classroom.

I am delighted that you are interested in Alleyn’s Junior School, and I look forward to reading your application.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Simon Severino

The Head (Junior School)

About The Role

At Alleyn’s Junior School, we are committed to nurturing the whole child, intellectually, emotionally, and socially, within a warm, inclusive, and aspirational environment. Our pastoral approach is proactive and child-centered, focusing not just on life in the classroom, but beyond. The end result is to foster confident and empathetic pupils who are socially adept as well as modest and grounded in their ability to communicate with the people they meet.

Central to our proactive pastoral care is the AEQ (Alleyn’s Emotional Quotient). This is our whole-school framework for helping pupils develop the tools they need to understand and manage their emotions, build strong character, and grow into empathetic, self-aware individuals. The AEQ isn’t delivered in a single lesson or confined to one classroom, it is a culture that infuses every aspect of school life. It’s visible in the way children support one another, in how they talk about their feelings, how they celebrate successes, navigate challenges, and understand who they are becoming.

The AEQ is underpinned by our values-led ethos, ensuring that pupils feel seen, heard, and supported every day. Whether a pupil is having a fantastic week or facing a bump in the road, the AEQ is designed to be a daily companion, reinforcing that wellbeing is a skill to be practiced and nurtured.

The Learning Support Assistant plays a vital role in upholding this ethos by offering compassionate, proactive support to pupils across the Junior School.

The postholder will offer high‑quality pastoral care, helping to foster emotional wellbeing, resilience and a positive attitude to learning. Working closely with staff, parents and external professionals, the Pastoral Learning Support Assistant will ensure that pupils feel well supported, safe and able to access the full breadth of school life.

Responsibilities of the Role:

Pastoral Care:

• Build strong, nurturing and trusting relationships with pupils to support their emotional and social development;

Act as a positive and visible advocate for pastoral care across the Junior School;

Engage confidently with parents and pupils in a public‑facing capacity, while also providing effective behind-the-scenes support to staff;

Provide a calm, confidential and welcoming space where pupils can talk, reflect and seek support;

Work with individual pupils and small groups to address their pastoral needs and promote positive wellbeing;

Support pupils experiencing emotional challenges, including anxiety, bereavement, friendship issues or periods of transition;

• Promote positive behaviour and wellbeing through restorative, reflective and relationship‑based approaches;

• Support children and families experiencing difficulties with school attendance, helping to remove barriers and encourage engagement;

• Contribute to the Breakfast Club team each morning, supporting pupils at the start of the school day;

Support supervision of Foundation Coach Service pupils at the end of the day, ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

Community Wellbeing:

• Create inclusive and engaging community activities during lunchtimes and playtimes to encourage positive social interaction among pupils;

• Promote national wellbeing initiatives such as Children’s Mental Health Week and Anti-Bullying Week, helping to raise awareness and embed key messages across the Junior School;

• Contribute to the development, planning and delivery of whole-school pastoral initiatives that strengthen the School’s approach to wellbeing and emotional support;

Nurture a strong sense of community within the Junior School, helping pupils feel connected, valued and supported.

Learning Support:

Work with pupils who require additional support to access learning due to social or emotional needs, helping them feel secure, understood and ready to learn;

• Support pupils who may find transitions challenging, including the move from Infants (Reception and Years 1 and 2) to Juniors (Years 3 to 6), ensuring they feel confident and well‑prepared;

• Provide support in class, in small groups or individually to reinforce learning, build confidence and promote positive engagement;

• Collaborate with teaching staff to adapt learning strategies, approaches and resources to meet individual pastoral and learning needs;

• Encourage independence, curiosity and a growth mindset, helping pupils develop resilience and a positive attitude towards learning.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Liaise with parents to share progress, concerns and updates with sensitivity, clarity and discretion;

• Work with the Head of Learning Support, parents and external agencies when arranging or supporting access to external assessments, such as ADHD or Autism evaluations;

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Learning Support, Deputy Head, Head of Infants, School Nurse, School Counsellor and wider pastoral team to ensure a joined‑up, holistic approach to pupil support;

• Provide guidance and support to teachers on strategies to assist pupils with pastoral or emotional needs;

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of pupil interactions, contributing to support plans, reviews and ongoing monitoring;

• Attend relevant meetings, training sessions and professional development opportunities to enhance practice and remain informed about best-practice pastoral approaches;

Liaise with the pastoral support team in the Senior School to ensure continuity and consistency of care across the whole school community.

Safeguarding & Inclusion:

• Uphold the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures at all times, ensuring the welfare and safety of pupils is paramount;

• Promote a culture of inclusion, kindness and respect, modelling positive behaviour and supporting pupils to do the same;

• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all aspects of the role, handling sensitive information with discretion and integrity.

General

• Carry out duty supervision during break and lunch times in the Well Junior, ensuring pupils are safe, supported and positively engaged;

• Support school events and trips as required, contributing to the wider life of the Junior School;

• Be aware of, and act in accordance with, the School’s Health & Safety Policy, and support, promote and adhere to the School’s data protection policies and practices;

• Promote the school’s eco-agenda and ensure all work is carried out with a view to reducing waste and protecting our environment;

Any additional duties, as directed by the Junior School Deputy Head or Junior School Head which are within the reasonable capability and responsibility of the role holder.

Our Values (the Alleyn’s ROCCK!)

Respect

Opportunity

Curiosity

Courage

Kindness

Person Specification

Experience and Qualifications:

• Relevant qualifications (e.g. Level 3 Teaching Assistant, Mental Health First Aid, ELSA qualification, or other pastoral-related training).

Experience working with children in a pastoral role within an educational setting.

Strong understanding of children’s emotional development and wellbeing needs.

Up-to-date pastoral knowledge, including awareness of emerging trends affecting primary-aged pupils.

Knowledge of SEND and how social, emotional and mental health needs can impact learning.

• Familiarity with restorative approaches and wellbeing frameworks.

• Experience liaising with parents and external professionals in a supportive, professional capacity.

• Experience in an independent school or similar setting (desirable).

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with pupils, staff and parents.

• Ability to provide calm, empathetic and solution-focused support to pupils experiencing emotional challenges.

• Confident in supporting pupils individually, in small groups and within the classroom environment.

• Ability to organise, promote and deliver informal events and activities that build community and engagement.

• Strong organisational skills, including accurate record-keeping and contribution to support plans.

Ability to collaborate effectively with teaching staff, pastoral colleagues and external agencies.

• Flexible and proactive, able to think on their feet and respond to changing needs throughout the school day.

• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and the ability to follow procedures with diligence.

Personal Attributes:

Warm, nurturing and child-centred, with a genuine passion for supporting children’s wellbeing.

• Calm, patient and emotionally resilient, able to support pupils through challenging moments.

Approachable and trustworthy, with a high level of discretion and professionalism.

Positive, enthusiastic and committed to promoting kindness, inclusion and respect.

A reflective practitioner who is open to learning and ongoing professional development.

A reliable team player who also works confidently on their own initiative.

Line Management

The Pastoral Support Assistant is managed day-to-day by the Junior School Deputy Head. The role holder will also have free access to the Chief Operating Officer, who holds ultimate responsibility for operational staff.

Working at Alleyn’s

Terms and Conditions

This role is an on-site position at Alleyn’s Junior School in Dulwich, South London. It is a full time, term time only post, working 41.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, from 7:30 am to 4:15 pm, including a 30-minute lunch break. The role will be primarily based in the Well Junior, with a designated working area. Ongoing professional development and training will be provided to support the postholder in maintaining up-to-date pastoral knowledge and best practice.

The salary for this role is £25,276 to £28,538 per annum, dependent on skills and expereince (based on a full‑time equivalent of £31,000 to £35,000 per annum), and is paid over 12 monthly installments. This is a permanent position, subject to the successful completion of a six-month probationary period.

The school provides additional benefits to its staff, including income protection insurance, an employee assistance programme, enhanced family leave pay, lunches and other refreshments, the use of school facilities including the swimming pool and gym, a cycle-to-work scheme, a tech scheme, a holiday purchase scheme, access to the library, free tickets to school performances, and the opportunity to join one of two private healthcare plans. Staff also enjoy discounts with local businesses and may use Alleyn’s Holiday Camp for the children of staff at a preferential rate.

Members of staff who have children attending Alleyn’s Junior and Senior Schools or Alleyn’s Oakfield will benefit from 25% fee remission which, subject to means testing, may increase to a maximum of 85%. This is a non-taxable benefit, and any means-tested element is reviewed annually. Staff children must meet the same admissions criteria as all pupils at Alleyn’s. There is also some fee remission available in respect of staff children attending Dulwich College and James Allen’s Girls’ School, though the terms and conditions are different, and it is a taxable benefit.

The role holder will have access to, and may be automatically enrolled into, the School’s Group Personal Pension Plan, currently provided by Legal & General. This plan may involve contributions being made via salary sacrifice based on 8% employer contributions.

On completion of the required recruitment checks, the post would be available to the successful candidate with immediate effect or at the completion of their due term of notice.

Commitment to Safeguarding

We are fully committed to providing a safe environment for children, staff and visitors. We promote a climate where anyone in the community can freely share their concerns about themselves, or others, in terms of individual safety and well-being. We protect the interests of the children at Alleyn’s through awareness among all members of staff of the kinds of issues of abuse, maltreatment and neglect that would impair a pupil’s health or development. In this way, Alleyn’s supports its pupils’ development by fostering security, confidence and independence.

We provide an environment in which children and young people feel safe, secure, valued and respected, and know how to approach adults if they or those whom they know are in difficulties, with the assurance that they will be listened to. Everyone in the staff community at Alleyn’s takes responsibility for safeguarding, and we always aim to act in the best interests of the child.

Arrangements for the Appointment

Applications

Further information about how to apply can be found on our website, www.alleyns.org.uk/jobs.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Wednesday 3 June 2026.

If you have any questions, you are very welcome to contact the HR Department, by email at Jobs@alleyns.org.uk or by phone on 020 8613 5016.

Interviews and Appointment

Interviews will be conducted at Alleyn’s Junior School on Wednesday10 June 2026. This will consist of interviews with relevant colleagues including the Junior School Head and Junior School Deputy Head, tour of the school and observed sesson with pupils. There will also be an opportunity to meet with other relevant staff.

We reserve the right to interview candidates as applications are received and may appoint to the role before the closing date. Therefore, we encourage early applications to ensure full consideration.

Safeguarding Checks

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. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS check.

Equal Opportunities

As an Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applications from all applicants who meet the requirements for the position. However we are especially keen to receive applications from those in minority groups for which the school is currently underrepresented. We celebrate diversity and thrive on the benefits it brings.