The Kingston Academy is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Head of Year 7 to join our wider pastoral team. Our Head of Year 7 plays a central role in ensuring every pupil makes a confident, successful transition from primary school into secondary education. The post-holder will lead the pastoral, academic and personal development of the Year 7 cohort, building strong relationships with pupils, families and staff so that students feel safe, known and ready to thrive from day one. This is a pivotal position within the school's pastoral structure and contributes directly to the school's inclusive ethos and high expectations.

Our successful candidate will be responsible for the welfare, personal development, and overall progress of a year group, fostering a culture of high expectations, inclusivity, and well-being.  You will work closely with form tutors, senior leaders, and support staff to monitor attendance, behaviour, and academic progress, intervening where necessary to provide targeted support and guidance.

The Kingston Academy is a high-performing, inclusive secondary school founded in 2015. Today we educate over 1,400 pupils from year 7 through to Sixth Form and are proud to serve our diverse and vibrant community.

In 2025, we were recognised as one of the Top 10 best non-selective state schools in the UK based on GCSE outcomes, reflecting our strong culture of aspiration, exceptional teaching, and commitment to every child's success. The school was also named among the Top 50 happiest schools in the UK in Ofsted's official wellbeing survey - a testament to the positive relationships, high standards of behaviour and supportive environment that underpins our ethos.

We are proudly inclusive, with a specialist resource provision (SRP) for pupils whose primary need is Autism Spectrum Condition, ensuring that all young people are able to learn, thrive and belong.

Our commitment extends not only to pupils but also to the people who work with them every day. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and sustaining an expert workforce through high-quality talent development, ensuring that our staff are skilled, motivated and well supported. By investing in professional learning, coaching, wellbeing and leadership pathways, we ensure that our teachers can flourish - and that our students benefit from consistently excellent teaching.

We invite applications from candidates with the following attributes for this role:

• Experience in a pastoral leadership role is desirable;
• A passion for pupil welfare and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in young people's lives;
• Passionate about their subject;
• A strong classroom practitioner, with the ability to engage pupils;
• Experience in curriculum planning and development;
• Flexible and committed to engage in the wider curriculum through our Going Beyond and enrichment activities.

More details on the  job role are provided in the Candidate Information Pack and Job Description.

There are many benefits to working at The Kingston Academy including:

• Generous pay-scales, regularly paying 1% higher than National Teacher Pay Scales
• 2-week October Half Term break
• Access to subsidised Cycle to Work scheme
• Subsidised eye test and flu vaccinations
• Weekly Professional Development sessions at whole-school and departmental level
• Professional support sessions for ECTs
• Staff Laptop or Chromebook
• Support with access to NPQH/NPQML/NPQSL qualifications
• Subsidised study at Kingston University at Masters and Doctorate Level
• Flexible working arrangements may be considered on request 
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Work in a vibrant, supportive school environment where staff well-being is prioritised

Interview Procedure

Our selection procedure will aim to identify with rigour whether the candidate fulfils the requirements of the post and will include the consideration of the candidate’s suitability to work with children and young people. The process will include:

• Lesson Observation in subject specialism;
• Pastoral In-Tray Task;
• Data and Written Task;
• Meeting with a panel of our pupils for informal question and answer session;
• Presentation and Interview with Head Teacher and/or other Senior staff.

Early applications are welcome, and we reserve the right to appoint before the closing date if we find a suitable candidate.

Closing Date: 12.00 pm, 4th February 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

For further information about this post please email hr@kingstoneducationaltrust.org

Equal Opportunities

At The Kingston Academy we believe that diversity enriches our school community and enhances the educational experience for all. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and talents of our staff and students. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for everyone. Join us in fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Statement

The Kingston Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks (with a barred list check for regulated activity), checks with past employers and eligibility to work in the UK. Identity and qualification documents will be checked prior to any offer being made.

We look forward to receiving your application.