Head of Year

Salary: Teachers' Pay Scale plus a TLR 2.3 for Head of Year responsibility

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

We are seeking an exceptional, motivated and compassionate Head of Year to join our thriving secondary school community. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious teacher and leader who is committed to outstanding pastoral care, high expectations and helping every student flourish both academically and personally. We welcome applications from teachers across all subject areas ready to make an impact beyond the classroom.

As a Head of Year, you will play a central role in shaping the experience, achievement and wellbeing of students within your year group. You will lead with energy, positivity and resilience, building strong relationships with students, families and colleagues to create a culture where every child feels known, supported and inspired to succeed.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a genuine passion for working with young people
• Is committed to inclusion, safeguarding and student wellbeing
• Thrives in a busy, collaborative and ambitious school environment
• Has the confidence and resilience to lead and support others
• Brings warmth, professionalism and strong organisational skills
• Can inspire, motivate and build positive relationships
• Has high expectations for behaviour, attendance and achievement

What we offer:

• A welcoming and supportive staff team
• Students who are enthusiastic and full of potential
• A strong culture of professional development and leadership opportunities
• A vibrant school community with high aspirations
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on students’ lives every day

This role would suit a talented teacher ready to take the next step in leadership, or an experienced pastoral leader looking for a new challenge in a forward-thinking secondary school.

We are looking for someone who is organised, committed and able to motivate our young people. We want someone who will go the extra mile. In return, you will join a school and a Trust that is full of activity, opportunity and optimism. The school has a centralised behaviour management system, supporting staff workload. We have bespoke Internal Alternative Provision on site for students who struggle with the mainstream lesson setting. The school has a growing 6th Form and fantastic facilities, including a Techno Gym Suite (staff use free of charge), AstroTurf, Multi-Use Games Area, a full-scale climbing and bouldering wall, wonderful grass pitches that drain well, tennis courts, five ICT suites, a 6th Form/Staff Café, a fully resourced Library, free staff refreshments every day, a multi-faceted Steps to Support programme for our young people, a staff well-being charter and staff counselling.

For more information about our wonderful school, please click here to view our careers page.

To find out more about the benefits of working for SAST, click here

Should you wish to arrange a visit to view our school, please do not hesitate to contact Channon Bruton, Office Manager on Channon.Bruton@shaftesburyschool.co.uk and she will be happy to arrange this for you.

SAST will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. In line with KCSIE guidance, this will be part of safer recruitment checks, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role may include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child. It will have contact with young people on a day-to-day basis. SAST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will have to meet the person specification, and the post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

SAST recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a workforce which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. SAST values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010 SAST welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

This role is UK- based and your right to work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.