Pastoral Board

University College School was founded in 1830 to promote principles of liberal scholarship. That remains our first and overriding aim. Intellectual curiosity, breadth of study and independence of mind combine to achieve academic excellence; they are not subordinate to it. UCS remains true to the liberal traditions of its founders and continues to work hard to foster independence of mind among its pupils, to value their individuality and to create a diverse and inclusive community.

Academic results are excellent. Music and drama are very strong at UCS and the school offers an outstanding range of co‑curricular activities and enrichment opportunities. The present vacancy reports to:
Deputy Head (Pupils). Other key contacts: the Vice Master, the Assistant Heads (Head of Middle School, Head of Sixth Form, Pupils, Co‑Curricular, Director of Studies, Director of Admissions and Head of Lower School). Other close contacts include the Director of Safeguarding, the Director of Personal Development, the Head of PSHE, the School Nurse and School Counsellors.

Deme Wardens bear overall responsibility for the pastoral care of each of the pupils in their Deme, including their social and personal development, well‑being, and support of their academic progress. They are assisted in this role by a team of at least a dozen Form Tutors and a primary function of the role of the Deme Warden is to direct the work of that team across the five year groups within the Deme.

The post of Deme Warden comes with an allowance of £11 k per annum and a timetable allocation of between 14–16 periods a week depending upon the operational needs of their academic department.

The responsibilities of Deme Wardens include:

• establishing a warm, purposeful and personal relationship with each pupil in the Deme, and constructive relationships with their parents
• monitoring the development of these pupils through regular contact with them and with their Form Tutors
• support of the pupils in their Deme through periodic attendance of school events, such as concerts, productions, and other co‑curricular activities
• ensuring that pupils in the Deme both understand and abide by the school’s Code of Conduct and support a culture of equality and inclusion
• maintaining comprehensive records for these pupils using CPOMS
• responding to the concerns and comments of other members of staff regarding these pupils
• operating systems of sanctions and rewards in line with school policy
• shared with Form Tutors, regular liaison with pupils, particularly over comments and reports (but not exclusively)
• close liaison with the Deputy Head (Pupils), the Vice Master, the Assistant Heads (Head of Middle School and Head of Sixth Form) as well as the Headmaster regarding individual pupils
• liaison with the Assistant Head (Pupils), the School Nurse, the School Counsellors and the Head of Learning Support as necessary to support the wellbeing and development of pupils including the interpretation of the twice‑yearly AS Tracking data
• advising pupils and parents with regard to subject and university choices under the direction of the Head of Middle School and the Head of Sixth Form, attending subject information and HE information events as required
• contributing to or directing the writing of UCAS references for members of the Deme alongside the Form Tutors
• organising the Deme’s involvement in sporting and other Deme competitions
• overseeing the Deme’s involvement in Community Action
• attending co‑curricular activities to support the pupils in the Deme
• appointing the Deme Captains
• organising a Deme contribution to the whole‑school and sectional assembly programme as requested by the Deputy Head (Pupils) as well as taking responsibility for Deme Assemblies
• liaison with the Head of PSHE over the PSHE programme
• liaison with the Assistant Head (Head of Lower School) and the Shell Year Warden regarding the transition of pupils from the Lower to Middle School
• attendance at pupil induction events
• maintaining a regular and fruitful contact with parents including, when appropriate, assisting the function of the Development Office in working with parents who…