Team Leader Pastoral Care Secondary School

Team Leader Pastoral Care Secondary School

• Working pattern: 1 FTE
• Salary indication: A minimum 3703€ and maximum of 7401€ based on scale 12 OOP
• Start date: 01.01.2027
• Deadline for application: 25.10.2026

Located in the international heart of the Netherlands, The European School The Hague offers a rich and dynamic learning environment. We provide complete Early Years, Primary, and Secondary education, guiding our students toward the prestigious European Baccalaureate.

With a dedicated team of qualified professionals, we are committed to delivering high-quality education that nurtures both academic achievement and personal growth. Here, students from diverse backgrounds come together to learn, grow, and thrive in an inclusive and inspiring community. Our Primary and Secondary schools are situated on two spacious campuses in The Hague's International Zone, working closely together with a shared vision and mission as part of the Rijnlands Lyceum Foundation.

The Rijnlands Lyceum Foundation is a school community with three primary schools and five secondary schools with an international character. The Rijnlands Lyceum Foundation is a diverse educational organization with decades of experience and a strong reputation.

As Team Leader (Pastoral Care), you will:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for pastoral care across the Secondary School, representing pastoral priorities within the school's management structure.
• Lead the development and implementation of the school's wellbeing, behaviour and inclusion strategies, ensuring consistency across all cycles and language sections.
• Coordinate and evaluate pastoral programmes, including mentor provision, social-emotional learning and wellbeing initiatives.
• Oversee behaviour management systems, supporting staff in promoting positive behaviour and restorative approaches.
• Work closely with the Student Support Team, mentors, Year Leaders and families to coordinate effective support for students.
• Monitor pastoral, behaviour and attendance data to identify trends, inform interventions and support continuous improvement.
• Lead and develop members of the Support and Attendance teams through coaching, guidance and performance management.
• Support safeguarding processes, student reintegration and responses to critical incidents in accordance with school policies.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and other Team Leaders to ensure a coherent whole-school approach to student wellbeing and success.

What we're looking for:

• University degree (Masters Degree preferred) in Education, Educational or Developmental Psychology or a related field.
• Substantial experience in a pastoral role including experience at a leadership level.
• Sound knowledge of child-protection frameworks, social-emotional learning, inclusive education, attendance strategies and restorative practices.
• Experience of working in an international, multicultural or European School environment (desirable).
• Professional working proficiency in English; additional European School languages an advantage.
• Professional working proficiency in Dutch is preferable
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• A commitment to student wellbeing, inclusion and safeguarding.
• Understanding of the European and Dutch education systems is desirable.

Recommendations

• Knows how to inspire people; is supportive, empathetic and collaborative.
• Demonstrates sound judgement, resilience and professionalism.
• Maintains high expectations for students and staff.
• Has a strong commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and student success.
• Is reflective, proactive and committed to continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

• Be Part of Something Special: Shape the creative minds of our diverse student body in an international setting.
• Experience the World: Work in The Hague, a city rich in culture and international connections.
• We offer a salary aligned with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement (CAO VO). The salary is a minimum of €3703 and a maximum of €7401 for a full-time contract on scale 12 OOP and the step offered will depend on your level of experience.
  • 8% holiday allowance (May)
  • 8.33% year-end bonus (December)
  • Monthly contribution towards travel expenses (if applicable)
  • ABP pension scheme
  • Number of options for tax benefits regarding, e.g. trade union dues, the costs of sports (for instance, fitness membership fees and the purchase of a bicycle (for commuting purposes)
  • Collective/group occupational disability insurance IPAP (Loyalis)
  • Discount on various insurances (additional insurance on the health care package, home content, legal aid, liability insurance policies and more)
• An attractive relocation package with the support of our HR department to help you move to The Hague.
• Grow and Learn: Enjoy ongoing professional development in a supportive and innovative environment. Every teacher has a personal budget for professional development.

How to apply

Candidates meeting the criteria’s are invited to submit the required documents by clicking on the apply/solliciteren button at the end of the page. Internal candidates can submit their CV and motivation letter via AFAS.

• CV in English
• A motivation letter in English
• A completed application form. If this form is missing, we will not proceed further with your application.

Please address your letter to the attention of Ms. Juliet Palmer; Head of Secondary school.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, either in person or via Microsoft Teams. In case of equal suitability, internal candidates are preferred. Applicants are eligible to claim reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses. Further information will be provided by the Recruitment Officer upon invitation.?

Contact Us

For any questions, please reach out to our recruitment officer, Ming En Li, at recruitment@eshthehague.nl.

Our recruitment procedure is subject to the Recruitment code. The purpose of the code is to provide a standard for a transparent and fair recruitment and selection procedure. ESH requests all applicants to read the code before applying carefully.

Information about the European School can be found on www.europeanschoolthehague.nl and www.rijnlandslyceum.nl.The website of the European Schools www.eursc.eu explains the European Schools' system and regulations.

Please find below a more detailed task Description of the role

To be part of the management team of the school (Middle Management level)

• Act as a visible and approachable leader who models the school's values and expectations, fostering positive relationships with students, staff and families.
• Provide leadership in pastoral care strategy across Secondary School.
• Serve as the main contact for school-wide behaviour, attendance, student academic/wellbeing support and safeguardinWork closely with, and advise, senior leadership so that pastoral priorities inform school decision-making.
• Help ensure the school’s vision, mission and values remain integral to thinking, actions and decision-making.
• Maintain a visible and approachable presence for students, staff and families throughout the school.
• Ensure that student voice is actively encouraged and informs school improvement and decision-making.
• Liaise with the Student Support Team (Learning Support specialists, Counsellors, School Psychologist, behaviour specialist, Anti-bullying coordinator, DEIB coordinator and support coordinators) on complex referrals and case management.

To contribute to the development and execution of the (multi-year and annual) school programme for pastoral care

• Oversee a high standard, consistent and holistic student support structure, aligned with student needs and school values.
• Chair or contribute to regular pastoral and student-support meetings to ensure consistent, high-quality care across all cycles and sections.
• Guide the development and implementation of pastoral strategies and themes like wellbeing, bullying prevention, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).
• Develop and improve safeguarding and attendance procedures and policies.
• Promote a culture of belonging in which all members of the school community feel known, valued and supported.
• To be responsible for the quality of pastoral provision and behaviour policy
• Promote and facilitate consistency in expectations and sanctions across cycles.
• Develop, monitor and evaluate behaviour policies, structures and practices so they remain effective, fair and aligned with the school’s values.

To co-develop a system of quality assurance and co-supervise its implementation

• Coordinates the development and oversight of data collection and analyse procedures to monitor progress and drive evidence-based improvements.
• Lead an evidence-informed approach to holistic student care, wellbeing and development.
• Report trends and outcomes to leadership to inform planning and school improvement.

To have a leading role in the daily running of the school

• Intervene in crisis situations and critical behavioural incidents and communicate with families.
• Oversee restorative practices, procedures and pastoral community engagement.
• Act as an approachable point of contact for staff on wellbeing and behaviour matters.

Line management and HR responsibilities

• Line manage the members of the Student Support Department and Attendance Team.
• Support and oversee the induction of new staff into pastoral roles.
• Support and conduct safeguarding meetings of high complexity or involving staff-members
• Support the professional growth of pastoral staff and help develop future pastoral leaders.
• Coordinate with HR on the staffing, wellbeing and continuity of the pastoral team.

Key Responsibilities

• Pastoral Curriculum and Student Wellbeing
• Lead initiatives that strengthen a positive school culture, promoting the school's values, sense of belonging and respectful relationships across the community.
• Lead and coordinate holistic student support systems and procedures, ensuring consistency across all cycles.
• Promote strategies that support student agency, resilience, and inclusion.
• Oversee and support the school-wide awareness campaigns and wellbeing initiatives.
• Chair or contribute to regular pastoral and student-support meetings to ensure consistent, high-quality care across all cycles and sections.
• Foster a culture of belonging in which all students thrive academically, socially and personally.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

• Lead and oversee the development and implementation of a school-wide DEIB vision and policy, ensuring alignment across all sections and cycles.
• Promote equitable access to learning, support and opportunities for all students, with attention to diverse backgrounds, languages and needs.
• Support the coordination of staff training and awareness initiatives that strengthen inclusive practice and cultural responsiveness.
• Establish clear procedures for addressing discrimination, bias and exclusion, and monitor their effectiveness.

Behaviour Management

• Ensure clear communication and implementation of the ESH positive behaviour policy.
• Coordinate and oversee staff training in behaviour strategies and restorative practice in collaboration with the behaviour specialist.
• Promote and facilitate positive-behaviour and restorative approaches that are applied fairly and consistently across cycles.
• Develop and improve structures that support data collection and follow up.
• Evaluate the impact of pastoral interventions and share findings to support school improvement.

Safeguarding and Student Welfare

• Provide strategic oversight of the school’s safeguarding systems and procedures, in line with statutory and school requirements.
• Organize and oversee staff training about safeguarding topics
• Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) to ensure a consistent, compliant approach.
• Promote a culture in which safeguarding is understood as everyone’s responsibility.
• Support school leadership in the handling and inquiry of safeguarding concerns and allegations where appropriate.

Parent and Community Engagement

• Foster and support a culture of positive and collaborative communication
• Represent pastoral care at parent meetings, workshops, community events and other relevant forums.
• Work proactively with families to support student wellbeing and success.

Professional Development

• Promote a culture of lifelong learning and continuous improvement within the pastoral team.
• Identify appropriate professional-learning opportunities for pastoral leaders and staff.
• Lead, promote and enable innovation through professional learning, research and reflection.
• Support the development of future pastoral leaders within the school.

Skills and Attributes

• A people-centred leader, relationship builder and collaborative team player who fosters collegiality and shared purpose.
• Passionate about student wellbeing, belonging and inclusion, and about ensuring every student thrives academically and personally.
• Approachable, empathetic, diplomatic and culturally sensitive; a role model for the school’s ethos and values.
• Creative, flexible, methodical, resilient and solutions-focused when navigating complex and sensitive situations.
• Deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) across the school community.
• Sound judgement and discretion in handling confidential and safeguarding-sensitive information.

Leadership Capabilities

• Able to move between high-level strategic planning and hands-on, day-to-day operational delivery.
• Skilled at establishing clear structures, delegating effectively and implementing lasting change.
• A strong communicator and relationship-builder within a multilingual, multicultural community.