Dean of Students

Department: Student Affairs / Pastoral Care
Direct Reports: As assigned
Location: School Campus
Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Purpose

The Dean of Students is responsible for promoting a safe, positive, inclusive, and supportive school environment in which students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

The role provides strategic and day-to-day leadership of student wellbeing, behaviour, discipline, attendance, student engagement, and pastoral systems. The Dean works closely with school leadership, teachers, counsellors, parents, and support staff to ensure that student-related matters are managed consistently, fairly, and in accordance with school policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

1. Student Behaviour and Discipline

• Lead and oversee the school's student behaviour and discipline processes.
• Ensure that behaviour expectations and consequences are applied consistently and fairly.
• Investigate and manage significant student behaviour incidents and disciplinary cases.
• Maintain accurate records of disciplinary incidents, interventions, and outcomes.
• Work with teachers and school leaders to develop appropriate behaviour interventions and support plans.
• Monitor recurring behaviour concerns and identify patterns requiring further intervention.
• Support restorative practices and strategies that promote accountability and positive behaviour.
• Escalate serious or repeated concerns to the appropriate member of the Senior Leadership Team.

2. Student Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

• Promote a positive school culture focused on student wellbeing, belonging, respect, and inclusion.
• Work closely with school counsellors and pastoral staff to identify and support students requiring additional assistance.
• Monitor students who may be experiencing academic, social, behavioural, or personal difficulties.
• Coordinate appropriate interventions and follow-up support.
• Ensure student concerns are appropriately documented, managed, and escalated where required.
• Promote student voice and encourage students to take an active role in the school community.

3. Attendance and Student Engagement

• Monitor student attendance, punctuality, and patterns of absence.
• Work with relevant staff and parents to address persistent attendance or punctuality concerns.
• Identify students who may be disengaged from school and coordinate appropriate interventions.
• Support initiatives designed to improve attendance, participation, and student engagement.

4. Safeguarding and Student Protection

• Work collaboratively with the school's safeguarding team to promote student safety and welfare.
• Follow all school safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Report and escalate safeguarding concerns in accordance with school requirements.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality when dealing with sensitive student matters.
• Contribute to safeguarding education, awareness, and prevention initiatives.

5. Parent and Community Relations

• Serve as a key point of contact for parents and guardians regarding significant student behaviour, wellbeing, attendance, and pastoral matters.
• Conduct meetings with parents to discuss concerns, interventions, and student progress.
• Communicate professionally and constructively, particularly when dealing with sensitive or challenging situations.
• Build positive relationships with families and promote partnership between home and school.

6. Student Leadership and Activities

• Support and develop student leadership opportunities.
• Encourage student participation in school activities, events, clubs, and community initiatives.
• Support student councils and other student leadership structures.
• Promote student responsibility, leadership, citizenship, and positive contribution to the school community.

7. School Culture and Community

• Promote the school's values, expectations, and standards of conduct.
• Contribute to initiatives that strengthen school culture, student belonging, and community spirit.
• Support the organisation and delivery of assemblies, student events, campaigns, and wellbeing initiatives.
• Act as a visible and approachable presence around the school campus.

8. Staff Support and Collaboration

• Provide guidance to teachers and staff regarding student behaviour, pastoral concerns, and appropriate interventions.
• Work collaboratively with Heads of School, Heads of Department, Year Leaders, Counsellors, SEN/SEND staff, and other relevant teams.
• Support staff in implementing consistent behaviour and pastoral expectations.
• Deliver or coordinate staff training related to student behaviour, wellbeing, safeguarding, and pastoral care where appropriate.

9. Data, Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate student records relating to behaviour, attendance, wellbeing, and interventions.
• Analyse student behaviour and attendance data to identify trends and areas requiring action.
• Prepare reports for school leadership as required.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of student support and behaviour systems.
• Recommend improvements to policies, procedures, and student support programmes.

10. Leadership and School Operations

• Contribute to the development and implementation of school policies relating to students.
• Participate in leadership meetings and relevant school committees.
• Support the Principal and Vice Principal with student-related matters and school-wide initiatives.
• Assist with crisis management and major student incidents when required.
• Undertake other duties reasonably assigned by the Principal or designated member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Leadership, or a related field.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification or leadership qualification is desirable.
• Previous experience in a school-based pastoral, student affairs, behaviour, safeguarding, or leadership role.
• Experience managing complex student behaviour and wellbeing matters.
• Experience working collaboratively with parents, teachers, school leaders, and external professionals.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and child protection practices.
• Experience in an international or multicultural school environment is desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong understanding of student behaviour, wellbeing, and pastoral care.
• Excellent conflict-resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Strong organisational and case-management skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• Strong decision-making and judgement.
• Ability to work effectively with students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
• Proficiency in maintaining accurate records and using student information systems.
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, student wellbeing, and educational excellence.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Integrity and professionalism.
• Empathy and emotional maturity.
• Fairness, consistency, and sound judgement.
• A student-centred approach.
• Resilience and composure.
• Strong accountability and ownership.
• Collaborative and approachable leadership.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to build trust with students, parents, and colleagues.

Key Performance Areas

Performance in the role may be assessed against:

• Effectiveness of student behaviour and discipline systems.
• Student wellbeing and pastoral support.
• Attendance and punctuality improvement.
• Consistency and effectiveness of behaviour interventions.
• Quality and timeliness of student case management and documentation.
• Parent and student engagement.
• Safeguarding compliance.
• Student leadership and engagement initiatives.
• Staff support and collaboration.
• Contribution to a positive and inclusive school culture.