Head of Year MPS/UPS+TLR1

We are looking to appoint a talented, hard-working and inspirational Head of Year to join our team. The successful candidate will have a passion for improving the life chances of young people, and be committed to inclusive education, be morally driven and have the strategic vision and ambition to continue the school’s successful story.

Our mission is to provide a Christ-centred learning community where every individual is enabled to fulfil their true potential. We pride ourselves on ensuring children are at the centre of all our decisions. Our academic and pastoral outcomes are fantastic. We firmly support our students and staff in order to obtain excellence. Our mantra is ‘Walk with me’ and the ‘Douay way’; both statements permeate all we do. There is a corporate atmosphere in which both students and staff know that they are working towards a common goal to better themselves and become excellent citizens in a progressive learning environment, which combines traditional values with the very latest technology and learning techniques. Staff at Douay are dedicated, motivated and determined to enable students to fulfil their potential. 

Aims and main purpose of the role 

• To support and contribute to the values and distinctive mission of the school. 
• To support and uphold the Catholic ethos and values of the school. 
• To be familiar with the content of and subsequently implement the whole school policies located in the staff handbook thus contributing to the realisation of a safe learning environment for all. 
• To help implement and adhere to the school quality procedures and take part, as required, in the review, development and management of activities relating to the School Improvement Plan. 
• To contribute to whole school planning, review, monitoring and evaluation. 
• To play a full part in the life of the school community supporting its distinctive mission and ethos and actively promoting its policies and practices. 
• To develop excellent working relationships with parents and carers and with appropriate external agencies. 
• To develop a strategic direction for the year group. 
• To take responsibility for the pastoral care and academic support for a year group 
• To support, lead, hold accountable and develop a team of tutors focusing on securing high standards of personal, social and academic development so that: 

1. Student behaviour and attitudes are visibly excellent 
2. The large majority of students in the year group make expected progress 
3. A significant proportion exceed their expected progress
4. The large majority their attainment targets 

General responsibilities 

•  To promote the values and ethos of the school by leading high-quality, well-prepared assemblies 
• To lead both the team of tutors and, cohort of students. This involves giving a clear vision and direction to work, identifying key areas for improvement and planning appropriate actions to meet them.  
• To monitor the quality of learning experienced by the year group, carrying out learning walks, student observations, work samples and student interviews. Reporting to the Line Manager, Deputy Headteacher etc. as necessary.   
• To promote and implement policies and practices that encourage mutual tolerance and respect for diversity, challenge discrimination and widen pupils’ understanding of their contribution to society as outlined in the school Single Equality Duty. 
• To comply with School routines e.g. attend staff briefings and professional events.
• To comply with the school’s Health and Safety policy and undertake risk assessments as appropriate 
• Contributing to the moral, spiritual, cultural and social development of each pupil. 
• Making a positive contribution to the pastoral ethos, including specific pastoral duties. 

Academic Progress 

• To monitor the academic progress of the year group to secure and sustain effective learning as outlined in the Aims and Purpose of the role.  
• To use assessment data to inform an accurate analysis of individual and collective progress across each tutor group and the year group.   
• To have a clear understanding of the range of barriers to learning that can prevent student progress and plan and evaluate strategies to overcome them.  
• Use all available evidence to develop, coordinate and evaluate strategies to identify and reduce student underachievement.  
• Use relevant technology to support teaching and learning. 
• Liaise with key staff and parents/carers 
• Report to SLT Termly 

 Leadership and management 

•  To act as a role model for tutors by demonstrating high quality pastoral care and academic monitoring of students and a professional presence in the year team.  
• To lead and manage a team of tutors, Assistant Heads of year and attached staff and maintain regular formal and informal contact with tutors.  
• To ensure tutors understand and are actively implementing the key aspects of school policies including those for behaviour, attendance, uniform and safeguarding.   
• To set the agenda for tutor meetings which should include a development item.  
• To contribute to the organisation of any parent information evenings by encouraging and monitoring parent/carer attendance.  
• To monitor student attendance and punctuality on a weekly basis and to take all the appropriate steps to ensure that attendance and punctuality of students in the year group are at the highest levels possible. 
• To oversee students on report and to make contact with parents /carers as necessary.  
• To play the leadership role in the application of the Behaviour for Learning Policy, referring situations to Line manager as appropriate.  
• To contribute to all major school events and be a visible presence for students and colleagues.  
• To support the House and rewards system as appropriate.  

Why work for The Douay Martyrs Catholic Secondary School:  

• Fantastic support from your line managers and SLT who genuinely want to see you succeed and thrive.  

• Extensive CPD opportunities including bespoke CPD for new and emerging school leaders.  

• Our school has excellent transport links and is minutes away from the Piccadilly, Metropolitan and Central tube lines and is on the local bus route. We are located close by to the A40, M25 and M40 Motorways.  

• Staff are encouraged to join in Extra-Curricular activities and School visits, some overseas, are a strong feature of school life.  

Visits to the School are warmly welcomed, please contact the Headteacher's PA on 01895 679400 to arrange a convenient time.  

‘We believe in the safeguarding and welfare of children and expect all staff to share this view’.  

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.