Pastoral Assistant

Full Job Description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title:            Pastoral Assistant

Salary:                Up to £26,000.00 per annum depending on experience (not pro rata)

Location:            New Barn School, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 8HZ

Hours:                 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:            Permanent, Term Time Only

Start Date:         January 2026

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

Are you passionate about helping young people overcome challenges and achieve their best? At New Barn School, part of the Acorn Education family, we’re looking for a caring and proactive Pastoral Assistant to join our supportive, child-centred team.

This is your chance to be part of a school that celebrates individuality, values teamwork, and puts emotional wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

About the Role

As a Pastoral Assistant, you’ll play a key role in creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every pupil can thrive. You’ll support the social, emotional, and behavioural needs of our students — helping them build confidence, resilience, and positive relationships both in and outside the classroom.

Working closely with teachers, pastoral leads, and families, you’ll be part of a team that ensures every child feels understood, supported, and ready to learn.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide targeted pastoral and emotional support to pupils across the school
• Collaborate with Pastoral Managers and the Behaviour & Welfare Lead to maintain a consistent, inclusive approach to wellbeing and behaviour
• Encourage positive social interactions and reduce barriers to learning through empathy and structured support
• Coordinate in-school services to deliver cohesive, integrated provision tailored to individual needs
• Help pupils build resilience, self-esteem, and confidence, supporting engagement and personal growth
• Model and promote the school’s values of respect, inclusion, and compassion in every interaction

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who brings warmth, understanding, and a calm presence to every situation — someone who believes that with the right support, every child can thrive.

You’ll have:

• GCSE English and Maths or equivalent
• Experience working with children or young people with social, emotional, or behavioural needs
• A strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• The ability to remain calm, patient, and professional under pressure
• Empathy, flexibility, and a genuine passion for supporting vulnerable pupils
• Strong organisational and teamwork skills
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and supporting pupil wellbeing

Experience in a school or alternative provision setting is an advantage, but what matters most is your compassion, commitment, and willingness to learn.

About us

New Barn School is a growing school and caters for SEMH pupils aged 6-19. With almost 100 pupils across three sites, we are searching for someone to help us make a difference. We have a shared vision where we aim to build incredible futures by empowering neurodiverse pupils to be happy and make their way in the world.

Our growing school delivers a structured programme of education, tailored to each student’s individual needs and considering their Education, Health and Care plans. Students are taught in small cohorts and individually, by fully qualified teachers and instructors.

We provide inclusive education within a safe, nurturing environment where pupil’s needs are met.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit 

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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