Our collective determination to make Oakbank a happier and higher performing school affirms our commitment to our values: integrity, collaboration and excellence. We believe in excellence for our students to give them the opportunities to have choices in their lives, empowering them to choose the future that they desire off the back of hard work. We believe in working together to ensure that our community supports one another and challenges one another to be the ‘best yet’ versions of ourselves, not because we have to improve but because if we do, the potential is endless. And we believe in the fidelity of our vision for students and staff, and strive to retain our moral compass when making decisions, to ensure an open, inclusive and happy community at Oakbank.

Oakbank is a school of potential that drives for the betterment for all. The school is committed to a journey of transformation, where staff, students and parents are committed to improving the quality and experience of education for its community. We believe that every child deserves to not only access the full curriculum, but should thrive in their curriculums, developing academically, personally and holistically as a result of passionate and adaptive teaching, resulting in committed learning that secures successful outcomes. Our current phase of school improvement features our entire team, working together at pace to offer greater stability, more innovation and creativity. The aim is for greater consistency for all students, enabling them to manage their learning and themselves more effectively.

Main Purpose

The Teaching Head of Year will be responsible for leading and managing a specific year group, ensuring high standards of academic achievement and personal development. This role involves both teaching responsibilities and pastoral care, aiming to provide an excellent educational experience for all students.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage the year group, fostering a positive and inclusive environment.
• Monitor and support the academic progress of students in the year group.
• Implement and review policies and procedures related to the year group.
• Coordinate and oversee year group events and activities.
• Collaborate with other Heads of Year and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure consistency and high standards across all year groups.

Teaching and Learning

• Plan, prepare, and deliver engaging lessons in line with the curriculum.
• Assess and track student progress, providing feedback and support where needed.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
• Use data to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to address these.
• Maintain high standards of classroom management and behaviour.

Pastoral Care

• Provide pastoral support to students, addressing their social, emotional, and behavioural needs.
• Communicate effectively with parents and carers, keeping them informed of their child’s progress and any concerns.
• Work with external agencies and professionals to support students’ wellbeing.
• Promote a positive school ethos and foster a sense of community within the year group.

Professional Development

• Engage in ongoing professional development to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Participate in the school’s appraisal process and seek opportunities for further training.
• Share best practises and collaborate with colleagues to improve teaching and learning.

Safeguarding

• Work in line with statutory safeguarding guidance (e.g. Keeping Children Safe in Education, Prevent) and our safeguarding and child protection policies.
• Promote the safeguarding of all pupils in the school.

Please note, this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the postholder will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the Senior Leadership Team.

This job description will be supported by the school improvement plan which will identify key distinct tasks and responsibilities for this role in the school year. These will be derived from ongoing school self-evaluation and other local/national priorities. The postholder’s duties must be carried out in compliance with the school’s policies and procedures including child protection and safeguarding procedures.

These duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exhaustive nor exclusive as the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grading of the post.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the recruitment campaign earlier that this date subject to the volume of applications received.  We therefore encourage candidates to submit applications as early as possible.

It is an offence for an individual who has been disqualified from working with children to knowingly apply for, offer to do, accept, or do any work in a ‘regulated activity’. The position advertised is a ‘regulated activity’.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and require all staff and volunteers to share and demonstrate this commitment. The successful candidate will have to meet the requirements of the person specification and will be subject to the relevant pre-employment checks which will, where applicable, include a health check, an enhanced DBS check, the Children’s Barred List check and satisfactory references.