Head of Year

This is a unique experience to be part of a small and dedicated school team and to support us to deliver routines and set expectations in line with ‘the River Way’. As a school we pride ourselves on quiet classrooms, calm corridors and practices that reduce workload and allow teachers to focus on their teaching craft. Our tutor times are well planned, with tutor reading, assemblies and settling activities each day to ensure the students can perform at their best in the classroom at all times. Students are expected to demonstrate good manners, strong oracy skills and high levels of personal and academic presentation.  

River Academy also delivers excellent extra-curricular activities to all of our students through our after-school ‘Electives’ programme. 

We have weekly training sessions on teaching and learning and you will work in a transparent coaching culture with peer observations happening on a weekly basis.

The successful candidate will be dedicated to removing barriers to learning and improving life chances for all our students. Our role is to raise aspirations, create scholars and allow students to concentrate on their academic progress whilst at school.

Ultimately, the student numbers will rise to 1,200 11-18 students and an additional resource base of 35 students when full. In the early years, we are looking for staff who are willing to be flexible to support the needs of students and to meet the operational needs of the school. This will provide excellent opportunities for staff to develop new skills and gain experience in different areas.

The successful candidate will be: 

• Flexible in providing support and knowledge as needed and as the school grows.  
• Proactive, well organised and able to lead both staff and students. 
• An excellent teacher in their own right, who consistently leads by example and is adept at supporting and developing teachers and students.  
• Have a willingness to develop their own practice in line with our ethos of continuous improvement.   
• Able to lead a team of tutors and ensure accountability of expectations and practices. 
• A team player who will work within the ethos and practices of the school. 

The school will be a part of the successful Maiden Erlegh Trust who currently operate eight other schools in Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. The Trust has a reputation for driving high standards and excellence in all its schools, with a strong track record of outcomes and improving OFSTED grading. 

Our People Development Curriculum provides professional development pathways for every role within the Trust, both teaching and support staff, through which staff can tailor CPD to their own needs. 

We have a proven track record of supporting ambitious staff in to middle and senior leadership posts and can offer opportunities to broaden your impact on the sector through the work of the Maiden Erlegh Institute. We are very happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including part-time working and job-sharing. 

About the School 

River Academy is a new state-of-the-art, purpose-built secondary school which is serving the need for additional school places in the Reading area. Based in Richfield Avenue, the buildings contain specialist teaching facilities in all areas of the curriculum including a wonderful hall, activity studio, LRC, drama studio and sports studio. 

River Academy has high expectations for all students and a firm focus on academic excellence and participation ingrained in our every action. When full, the school will serve 1,200 11-18 year old students of all abilities and backgrounds. We will also operate an Additional Resource base of 35 students for students with moderate learning difficulties. 

To learn more about our school, please visit our website:

www.river-academy.co.uk 

About the Trust 

Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community of highly effective schools that deliver excellent education opportunities for the children and young people of the communities we serve.  Through our work we will ensure that our children are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to deal with the demands of an ever-changing world.  The Trust currently comprises eight schools in the local area, with a variety of settings including primary, secondary, special and a PRU.  As a Trust, we encourage professional development at all levels through the use of cross Trust networks to share best practice and ideas.  We also actively encourage the promotion of staff to different roles within the Trust and to different settings in line with their career aspirations.  Click Work @ Maiden Erlegh Trust to find out more information about why you should work for Maiden Erlegh Trust and to read testimonials from existing staff.  

Benefits

Further information about some of the staff benefits that Maiden Erlegh Trust offers its employees, can be found on our website. 

Staff Wellbeing is very important to us.  As a staff member of Maiden Erlegh Trust these are just some of the examples of how we show our appreciation to staff.

• We operate a system of ‘ME days’ allowing staff to request an additional day off per year to attend special events such as children’s sports days and graduations, family and friends' weddings.  
• CPD is available for all staff at all levels.  
• Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff.  
• Free eye tests are provided for eligible staff.  
• Breakfast and lunch provided for staff regularly, including on many INSET days and as a thank you throughout the year.  

If you believe that this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and substantially contribute to an exciting future for our students, then you are encouraged to explore further by contacting recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for a more detailed discussion, if required.  

If you would like to have an informal chat with our hiring manager about this post, please email recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org

Closing date: 9am, 9 January 2025.

Interviews: 17 January 2025.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible as the Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date. 

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and successful references.