Here at The Pingle Academy, we are on an exciting journey to raise standards and improve outcomes as we pursue excellence for every student.
At the heart of this ambition is our unwavering commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and exceptional pastoral care. We believe that every child should feel safe, valued and a true sense of belonging within our academy community. By knowing our students as individuals and understanding their unique needs and circumstances, we create an environment where young people can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
We are proud of our warm-strict culture, where relationships are built on trust, respect and high expectations. Our staff work tirelessly to nurture, challenge and support students to achieve their very best. Visitors consistently comment on the warm welcome they receive and the calm, purposeful atmosphere that exists throughout the academy.
As a truly inclusive school, we are committed to ensuring that every child and young person has the opportunity to fulfil their potential and achieve highly, regardless of background or starting point. We are proud to serve our community through our thriving Sixth Form and ERS provision, supporting students at every stage of their educational journey.
We believe in working hard, being kind and choosing wisely. Every day, we have the privilege of making a positive difference to the lives and futures of the young people we serve.
About this Role
We are seeking to appoint an exceptional, experienced and highly committed non-teaching Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to lead and further develop safeguarding practice across the academy, as part of the academy’s Senior Leadership Team.
This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding, child protection and pastoral care. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of safeguarding across the academy, ensuring that safeguarding remains at the heart of all decision-making and that every student receives the support they need to succeed.
Working closely with senior leaders, pastoral teams, external agencies, students and families, you will lead the academy’s safeguarding provision, ensuring robust systems, processes and interventions are in place to protect and support our students, particularly those most vulnerable.
You will also support the oversight of assemblies and PHSE content and lead on appropriate drop down days to enrich our contextual safeguarding offer.
The successful candidate will:
Bring significant experience of safeguarding or pastoral leadership, ideally within an educational or related setting.
Have a strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and best practice, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Be experienced in managing complex safeguarding cases, working effectively with external agencies to reduce and manage risk.
Have the ability to lead, influence and support colleagues in maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding practice.
Possess excellent professional judgement and the confidence to make decisions in challenging and sensitive situations, often under pressure.
Have strong organisational, communication and record-keeping skills.
Be able to scrutinise information through rigorous data analysis, identifying emerging risks and implementing effective interventions.
Possess a solution-focused and resilient approach.
Bring warmth, integrity and the ability to build strong, trusting relationships with students, families and colleagues.
Why Join Us?
You will join a passionate and dedicated staff team who are committed to supporting one another and providing the very best education and care for our students.
Positive relationships between staff, students and families are a key strength of our academy. We are proudly inclusive and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. The successful candidate will play a central role in strengthening our partnership with families, ensuring students and parents feel heard, supported and valued.
As an important part of the local community, we work closely with partners and organisations to improve opportunities and outcomes for young people. We are looking for a safeguarding professional who shares our commitment to serving the community and making a lasting difference to the lives of children and families.
If you are passionate about safeguarding, committed to improving outcomes for young people and ready to play a key leadership role in an ambitious and inclusive academy, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Why Work for Affinity?
At Affinity, we pride ourselves on being a great place to work, a workplace where everyone belongs, progresses, and thrives. We recognise that our colleagues are our greatest asset, and we are committed to ensuring they feel valued, supported, and empowered.
As a Trust, we are privileged to employ inspirational people who make a positive difference every day. In return, we continually strengthen our offer of a supportive, inclusive, and ambitious working environment, one that promotes mental and physical wellbeing, builds confidence, and fosters pride across our organisation.
Our People Strategy
Our People Strategy is built around three core pillars:
Belongs - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We cultivate an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity, champions equality, and ensures all staff feel respected, valued, and genuinely part of our community.
Progresses - Staff Development and CPD
Our Professional Growth Model empowers colleagues to take ownership of their development. Our strong investment in CPD sets us apart and ensures every colleague has the opportunity to grow and succeed.
Thrives - Wellbeing
We know that mental and physical wellbeing are essential to feeling supported and performing well. That’s why we place strong emphasis on creating an environment where colleagues feel healthy, valued, and able to thrive.
What are the Benefits of Joining Affinity?-
Investment in your professional development and CPD through our Professional Growth Model
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Removal of performance-related pay
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A commitment to dignity and respect in the workplace
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Opportunities for collaborative working through leadership and staff networks
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A Trust-wide approach to reducing workload
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Wellbeing initiatives supported by our Wellbeing Champion Network
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One dedicated wellbeing day per academic year
In addition to these core benefits, we also provide an excellent wider package that includes:
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Employee Assistance Programme and mental health support services
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Access to Benenden Health's self-pay private heathcare service
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Discounted gym membership with Everyone Active
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Cycle to Work scheme
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BHSF health cash plan
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Eye care vouchers
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Flu vaccination vouchers
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Generous pension schemes through Teachers Pensions and the Local Government Pension Scheme
Additional Information:
Please note that we do not hold a sponsorship licence and, therefore, are unable to employ individuals residing outside of the UK or candidates living within the UK who require continued sponsorship to work in the UK.
Please note: Completed applications should be received by 09:00am of the closing date. We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Please ensure to regularly check your junk/spam folder for any correspondence in relation to the progress of your application. Due to the volume of applications we receive, it is not policy to give individual feedback at this stage.
We welcome a broad range of perspectives with a commitment to equality of opportunity by recruiting a diverse workforce, and creating an inclusive environment and a culture of belonging for everyone in Affinity Learning Partnership. Therefore, we encourage applications from underrepresented communities irrespective of age, disability, race, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, marriage or civil partnership status, or neurodivergent status. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments wherever possible through the recruitment process should this be required.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and this position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.
