Head of Year

Why here, why now?

Staffordshire University Academy is a rapidly improving academy. Due to increased student numbers and our continued commitment to building capacity across the Academy, Team SUA are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and committed Head of Year to join our team.

We are committed to continually improving the quality of our provision. We have access to high quality facilities and resources and work within a strong team structure that allows best practice to be shared. Staff benefit from a positive working environment, with strong support for professional development. The successful candidate will join a team of friendly and supportive colleagues who want to achieve the very best for our students.

About the role:

• Lead and inspire the year group, creating a clear vision for success, raising aspirations and reducing barriers to learning.
• Promote high expectations for behaviour, attendance, achievement and wellbeing, acting as a positive role model and supporting the Academy’s culture and values.
• Track, monitor and improve attendance, working effectively with students, parents/carers and relevant stakeholders to meet Academy targets and ensure appropriate follow-up and intervention.
• Monitor student progress and performance, liaising with key staff to identify individuals and groups requiring targeted support and intervention.
• Track and monitor behaviour and rewards, identifying students requiring intervention as well as ensuring success, progress and positive contributions are recognised and celebrated.
• Monitor and evaluate pastoral strategies, using information and evidence to identify priorities and improve outcomes for students.
• Build capacity within the pastoral and tutor team, line managing, coaching and supporting form tutors to develop their practice and ensure consistently high standards, including quality assurance of the form programme.
• Provide opportunities to enrich students’ Academy experience, ensuring the needs of all groups, including SEND, PP, HPA, MPA, LPA and EAL students, are recognised and supported.
• Develop strong student and parental engagement, leading year-group student voice/council and communicating effectively with parents/carers regarding students’ progress, attainment, successes and concerns.
• Provide strong year-group leadership and accountability, taking responsibility for student safety and welfare and leading high-quality assemblies to ensure key Academy messages are communicated consistently and robustly.

What we’re looking for:

• An inspiring and committed leader who can motivate students and staff, build strong relationships and promote high expectations across the year group.
• A strong pastoral leader with an effective and consistent approach to behaviour, attendance, wellbeing and removing barriers to learning.
• An excellent classroom practitioner who models high-quality teaching, supports strong student progress and understands how to meet a range of individual learning needs.
• A confident communicator and team player who can work effectively with students, parents/carers, form tutors, colleagues, senior leaders and external agencies.
• A proactive and organised professional who can use attendance, behaviour and progress information effectively to identify concerns, implement interventions and evaluate their impact.
• A visible role model who shares the Academy’s ethos and values, is committed to safeguarding and inclusion, and can build capacity within the tutor and pastoral team through effective leadership, support and coaching.