Head of Year

Head of Year

Closing date: Sunday, April 19, 2026, Midnight

Interview: Week Commencing Monday, April 20, 2026

Start Date: September 2026

Salary: Main Pay Scale or Upper Pay Scale plus TLR1

About United Learning

United Learning is a distinctive collaboration of independent and state schools dedicated to achieving excellence for all. Our mission is to deliver outstanding education, enabling every young person to succeed in life. To fulfill this vision, we must attract, nurture, and reward exceptional talent - like you.

Job Introduction

We are seeking an exceptional pastoral leader for the position of Head of Year at Walthamstow Academy. We believe that academic success is closely tied to pastoral support; when students feel content, self-assured, and empowered, they excel both academically and socially.

In the role of Head of Year, you will guide a team of tutors, ensuring the quality of education provided to your students. You will assess their academic, extracurricular, and pastoral development, intervening as needed to ensure that every student achieves success.

You will be an excellent teacher with a proven track record as a successful tutor. Serving as a role model for our students, you will maintain a visible presence throughout the school and support your team of tutors to reach their full potential. Experience in collaborating with parents to secure the best outcomes for their children is essential.

You will also have the chance to contribute to our extensive enrichment program and share your expertise across a growing network of Academies and independent schools within United Learning.

We recognize that outstanding leaders possess transferable skills and are effective across various leadership dimensions. However, as a Head of Year, you will receive the support and challenges necessary for your growth to become the best version of yourself – and we are committed to facilitating this development.

The role of Head of Year is incredibly fulfilling, and we are eager to see the unique contributions you will bring. Our students are remarkable, and so are our staff. If you possess the qualities to elevate the outcomes for our Academy, we encourage you to reach out.

Main Responsibilities

1. Set ambitious expectations for teaching and learning standards while modeling exemplary practices.
2. Foster the development and sharing of effective practices and successful innovations within your team.
3. Ensure the consistent implementation of teaching and learning strategies that accommodate the needs of all learners.
4. Oversee the continuous development and assessment of relevant specifications and schemes of work, ensuring adherence by all teachers.
5. Monitor and evaluate teaching and learning standards through classroom observations, reviewing student work, and soliciting student feedback.
6. Manage effective assessment, documentation, and reporting of student progress.

Working for Us

Walthamstow Academy opened its state-of-the-art facility in 2006 and has since achieved remarkable results at both GCSE and A-Level. In 2024, students at Walthamstow Academy recorded a Progress 8 score of 0.49. Our A-Level students excel, with many progressing to Russell Group universities. Due to our success, the Academy is now fully subscribed based on first-choice preferences alone.

Our achievements are no coincidence. At Walthamstow Academy, we believe in the potential of every individual. We maintain a strong focus on high standards and identify barriers to success, providing timely support to ensure our students achieve. Excuses are not part of our vocabulary; we consistently strive for excellence.

The Academy takes pride in its multicultural environment, celebrating the diverse heritage within our community. Approximately 90% of our students belong to minority ethnic groups, with many hailing from African, Caribbean, Eastern European, Turkish, and Pakistani backgrounds. The community we serve faces social and economic challenges, with 35% of students eligible for Pupil Premium. Nearly 60% speak a first language other than English, and a significant number enter the Academy with low literacy levels. Despite this, our dedicated staff work diligently to enhance student performance, with standards across the Academy exceeding national averages in most subjects.

Conveniently located near the North Circular Road, M11, and both Blackhorse Road and Walthamstow Central underground stations, the Academy is just a 30-minute journey to central London. The area offers relatively affordable housing and easy access to Epping Forest, the Lee Valley, and the picturesque regions of Hertfordshire and Essex.

Walthamstow Academy has earned the CPLD Gold Award for our commitment to professional development, recognizing that our impressive accomplishments are attributed to our exceptional staff. We appreciate your interest in joining our team, and it all begins with individuals like you who believe they can further enrich our community.

What We Offer

At Walthamstow Academy, we are dedicated to ensuring that our employees feel valued and appreciated, which includes your benefits package.

After six months of service, all staff members are eligible for the Westfield Health Cash Plan, granting access to 24/7 virtual GP consultations, expedited access to specialized health services, and the ability to reclaim some expenses for services and treatments. Dependent children (up to age 22) are automatically included, with options to enhance coverage or add adult family members at an additional cost.

We understand that flexible working arrangements are vital for attracting, retaining, and rewarding outstanding staff. At Walthamstow Academy, we are devoted to promoting and facilitating flexible working opportunities.

Through our partnership with Westfield Health Rewards, you can access over 250 exclusive benefits via their user-friendly platform and app. Enjoy a wide range of perks, including discounts on cinema tickets, holidays, dining at restaurants nationwide, and savings on groceries, technology, and clothing.

We offer discounted gym memberships through Westfield Health Rewards, allowing access to gym discounts at over 3,000 locations nationwide. Additionally, our school gym is available for free use 24/7, with opportunities to participate in weekly sports tournaments.

The Cycle2Work Scheme provides you with a bicycle and necessary equipment such as lights, locks, and panniers, enabling you to cycle to work and enjoy leisure rides. As a salary sacrifice scheme, this offers potential savings through income tax and NI deductions.

Through our Car Lease Scheme, we have partnered with SG Fleet to offer the Novalease scheme to all staff, providing access to significant discounts on car leasing via a direct debit arrangement. You can also exchange a portion of your gross salary for any low CO2 emission car of your choice.

We prioritize staff wellbeing at the Academy, ensuring all staff members feel valued and appreciated. Additionally, we provide one Paid Personal Day to all staff annually.

More pay, more time, and more support. Join United Learning for a fulfilling career.