King Alfred's Academy are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, resourceful and committed Head of Year - TLR 2:3a (FTC - until 31st August 2025).

Pastoral responsibilities:

• Promote a positive and inclusive school culture, address negative behaviours, and create a safe environment.
• Monitor student behaviour, work with teachers and other members of the pastoral team (particularly Student Managers and the AHOS) to identify struggling students, and communicate regularly with parents.
• Act as liaisons between teachers, parents, and other key stakeholders, communicating student behaviour to them, and ensuring that the needs of their year group are met.
• Develop and implement strategies for positive behaviour, manage behavioural issues, and liaise with parents to ensure they are aware of school policies 
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of pastoral interventions and programmes using data to inform future planning.
• Encourage and motivate students to take responsibility for their learning and ensure they are prepared to learn at the start of each lesson by prioritizing punctuality.
• Assist with the management of detentions.
• Lead and manage a team of form tutors, providing pastoral support as needed.
• Support with the organisation of events and activities for the year group, ensuring they meet students' needs and interests.
• Work closely with the Assistant Head of Year to oversee students' independent learning engagement.
• Provide support to students, and staff who manage students, during social time where possible, depending on the specific requirements of the role.

Leadership and management responsibilities:

•  Provide empathetic professional support for staff and students across sites.
• Support and communicate regularly with student managers to deliver effective pastoral care, and assist the Assistant Head of Site in the planning and implementation of any new or enhanced processes or procedures.
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders.
• Ensure that high expectations of students and staff are maintained across sites.
• Supporting with the running of detentions.
• Support the Leadership team to embed a culture of safeguarding across sites.
• Support the House team in their planning of activities (including charitable and fundraising work as well as leadership and enrichment opportunities) to further enrich our educational experience.
• Communicate effectively with parents to address concerns, provide support, and celebrate success.
• Support colleagues with effective behaviour management, including improving attendance and punctuality as necessary.
• Ensure that our high expectations of behaviour and student conduct are maintained.
• Support student engagement in education through a combination of rewards, sanctions, parental engagement, and regular communication with staff.
• Collaborate with other colleagues to provide enriching opportunities and extra-curricular activities for students in the year group, with a special focus on the character award scheme.

The successful applicant will be committed to securing the best outcomes for all students within the Academy, as well as being part of wider curriculum offered to all students. We are looking for someone to inspire our students and promote a love for this subject both in and out of the classroom. 

King Alfred’s Academy is a friendly, ambitious and vibrant school packed full of energy, opportunity and choice.  Rated “Good” by Ofsted, our mission statement is "Opportunity for All"; something we believe in passionately and strive to deliver to our staff and students each day.

Our interview process may involve supervised teaching of a micro-lesson, a student Q&A and a panel interview including a presentation on a pre-advised topic.

Benefits of working at KAA include:

• Full support for your professional development and future training needs (CPD)
• A commitment to recognise previous, continuous service.
• A commitment to offer flexible working whenever we can and to support the work life balance of our employees
• A 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• A Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Opportunity to attend school residentials trips such as Normandy or Barcelona to skiing in Austria, Canada and USA 
• Complimentary fruit, tea and coffee  and subsidized lunches
• Eligible for Blue Light discount card
• Optional gift on your birthday
• Free parking 
• Free Eye Care Voucher

King Alfred’s is proud to be part of the Vale Academy Trust, a network of schools nurturing opportunities and career development. Collaboration is an important benefit of working at King Alfred’s, with students and staff benefitting from our work with Trust schools and other schools locally and regionally.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Jon Smart on 01235 225700

King Alfred’s Academy is a member of the Vale Academy Trust.  The Trust and its schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.  All post holders in regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced check.

All staff will be expected to promote fundamental British values as part of a school that values diversity and individuality, exemplified in our values of ‘one community, individual minds, creating futures.