Designated Safeguarding and Attendance Lead

Designated Safeguarding and Attendance Lead 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year Salary Range: £39,125.62- £44,272.47 (Starting salary dependent on qualifications and experience) We have an exciting opportunity for a Designated Safeguarding and Attendance Lead to join the team at our new Ashdown Garden School, in Forest Row. The school is aiming to open in 2026 and is based near the Emerson College site near the beautiful Ashdown Forest and the village of Forest Row. The postholder will have the responsibility for the Designated Safeguarding and Attendance Lead and pastoral support within the school. They will also support the Executive Principal in providing leadership for the school as part of a contemporary Steiner-inspired school. The postholder will secure the schools success and continuous improvement, ensuring high quality education for all its students and the highest standards of learning and achievement in accordance with statutory and Ofsted requirements and the vision, and method of Ruskin Mill Trust. As a senior leader at the school, your role is to work collaboratively with the Executive Principal and provide exceptional leadership to ensure the school’s success and continual improvement. The role of Designated Safeguarding and Attendance Lead will support the strategy and lead on all operational matters relating to safeguarding and student attendance improvement on statutory regulations. The postholder will develop and promote a whole-school culture of exceptional safeguarding practice that values high attendance and punctuality, embedding it into the ethos and daily routines of the school. They will also manage key operational procedures for the school including behaviour and engagement. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate: Ideally Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or relevant degree Level 3 or above qualification in Safeguarding Children and Adults Strong knowledge of statutory guidance (E.g. Keeping Children Safe in Education and DfE attendance frameworks) Familiarity with attendance coding, data systems (e.g., SIMS/Arbor), and legal interventions A track record of contributing to the success of a department or organisation through leadership and vision Have experience in working with children with complex social, emotional, behavioural and learning needs Experience working in specialist education settings Demonstrated ability to implement quality assurance processes effectively A willingness to embrace the Practical Skills Therapeutic Education method which is inspired by the insights of Rudolf Steiner. Adaptable, proactive, and able to show initiative High levels of personal resilience and emotional intelligence Interviews will be held on Thursday 11th December 2025. Working at Ruskin Mill Trust is incredibly rewarding; we offer competitive salaries and holiday allowances, an auto-enrolment pension scheme with a salary sacrifice option, a health cash plan and employee assistance programme via Medicash. In addition, staff receive valuable training opportunities including an in-depth interactive induction to enable our new team members to experience our Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE) curriculum and also opportunities for further training and academic research including our own MSc in Practical Skills Therapeutic Education. Full details of our benefits can be viewed on Ashdown Garden School, located nearby the ancient area of Ashdown Forest, is a specialist school for SEND children between the ages of 7–16 years, offering a range of practical land and craft learning activities. Ashdown Garden School is part of Ruskin Mill Trust. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Level Disclosure as well as a medical check, references, evidence of qualifications, plus verification of the right to work in the UK.