Head of Year
Mulberry Academy St Leonards, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN38 8HH8 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
21 May 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
13 May 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of year or phase
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Teacher Main Pay Scale/UPS also
Additional allowances
TLR1B £13694
What skills and experience we're looking for
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post Title:
Head of Year
Education, Qualifications & Experience
1. Relevant qualifications for your teaching or non-teaching role outside this responsibility.
2. Significant experience of working with young people of secondary school age and supporting their personal development and well-being.
3. Experience of leading a team, developments or initiatives.
4. Recent and relevant professional development.
Knowledge, Skills & Understanding
5. Knowledge and understanding of current academy and national approaches to pastoral care, student development and well-being and raising achievement.
6. Commitment to, and understanding of, inclusion, equality of opportunity and safeguarding.
7. An understanding of the curriculum for the relevant key stage and factors contributing to students’ learning experience.
8. Knowledge of the use of data, tracking, target setting and intervention to raise achievement.
9. Proven ability to work with parents/carers, external agencies and the wider community.
10. Ability to lead, and work as part of, a team, valuing the contribution of all members.
11. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a range of audiences, especially parents/carers.
12. Proven administrative and organisational skills.
13. Flexible, able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
14. Understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
Planning, Teaching & Class Management
15. Proven ability to innovate and manage change positively
16. Commitment to, and understanding of, the wider aspects of student development, including tutoring and PSHEE.
17. Commitment to building student leadership and to drawing on student voice to develop practice and provision
18. A good understanding of SEN and Inclusion issues.
19. High disciplinary standards and ability to manage difficult behaviour.
20. Sets high expectations of self and others.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Review and Accountability
21. Skills and aptitude to lead and manage the students in the Year Group and the Pastoral team.
22. Ability to monitor and improve student and staff performance.
23. Ability to create strategic plans and evaluate progress against their objectives.
24. Understanding of the accountabilities of this post and Middle Leadership in the academy.
What the school offers its staff
Why Mulberry Academy St Leonards?
We’re proud of our people. At Mulberry Academy St Leonards, we are building a culture where pupils, parents, teachers and staff work together in the service of our community. When you join our school, you will find a place where you belong and where your work truly makes a difference to the lives of young people.
Working in education is not always easy. We recognise the effort, creativity and commitment our staff bring every day. We value this deeply and show our appreciation by creating a culture where staff are supported to grow, develop and thrive.
Providing talent development opportunities
We want ambitious and talented people to join Mulberry Academy St Leonards because they want to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.
Professional development is central to our culture. All teaching staff benefit from weekly professional development, and each year we dedicate a two-week professional development programme in October. During this time teachers deepen their practice and collaborate on improving teaching and learning, while colleagues in support roles have structured time designed specifically for their own professional development.
We also build coaching into teachers’ timetables, ensuring every teacher benefit from regular professional dialogue, reflection and support to continually develop their practice.
As part of the Mulberry Schools Trust, staff benefit from Trust-wide expertise, strong collaboration, and opportunities to grow professionally. The East London Teaching School Hub further enhances this offer, delivering nationally recognised programmes and enabling staff to engage in and contribute to training across all career stages.
Providing a good pension
When you join the Mulberry Schools Trust, you will have access to an excellent pension scheme — either the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme, depending on your role.
Offering flexible working
We recognise the importance of balancing work and home life. We consider flexible and family-friendly working opportunities wherever possible, including part-time, term-time and job-share arrangements. At Mulberry Academy St Leonards we also design timetables to support staff wellbeing. All teachers receive a well being morning or afternoon that can be taken at home.
Supporting your health and wellbeing
Balancing everyday life with the requirements of work can create pressures for all of us. Work is a significant part of our lives and we are committed to creating a healthy and supportive working environment.
All employees have free access to a 24-hour confidential counselling and wellbeing service, designed to support staff with a range of personal and professional challenges.
Recognising that the autumn term is the longest and most demanding, we restructured our calendar to better support staff wellbeing with a two-week break in October.
Actively promoting equality and diversity
Mulberry Academy St Leonards is committed to building an equal, diverse and inclusive community. We want the very best people to work in our school regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy, family status or marital status. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from historically under-represented and minority groups, helping ensure our workforce reflects the diverse communities we serve.
Further information about the job
About the role
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic member of staff who will be able lead one year group and contribute to the academy’s continued success. This is a full-time position, with the post holder expected to work on site five days per week. Full training for the role will be provided.
Ideally
We expect that you:
- are a consistently outstanding member of staff with an infectious enthusiasm.
- have an unshakeable belief that all children deserve an excellent school and you want to be part of making Mulberry Academy St Leonards outstanding.
- have had a significant positive impact on students’ personal development, well-being and achievement.
- have contributed to raising standards; and have successfully led a team, developments and/or initiatives.
learning. You will be joining a school with a strong culture of collaboration, coaching, and professional development, where staff are supported to develop their practice to the highest level.
Main Purpose
- To raise standards of student attainment within the year group and to monitor and accelerate student progress.
- To secure all students’ personal development, build their confidence and scholarship and ensure they make full use of educational opportunities.
- To communicate high expectations and encourage students’ high aspirations.
- To ensure high-quality learning and teaching in Personal Development and the year group’s tutorial programme.
- To liaise with, and report to, parents regarding students’ progress, behaviour and well-being.
- To lead and coordinate the work of the Pastoral team and to line manage the Assistant Head of Year.
- To effectively manage and deploy human, financial and physical resources to support the year group and key stage.
- To manage all aspects of Social Inclusion within the year group, including Child Protection and safeguarding matters.
- To be accountable for students’ progress, personal development, safety and well-being.
Strategic and operational direction and development
- Develop and implement policies and practices for the Year Group, which reflect the Academy’s commitment to high achievement, effective learning and teaching and high standards of behaviour and engagement.
- Work with the Pastoral Team and SLT to formulate strategic plans for the year group and the key stage, which are relevant to the needs of students and contribute to the aims, strategic plans and priorities of the academy.
- Contribute to the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of all students and prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.
- Monitor student progress, scholarship, behaviour and attendance and lead the planning and implementation of strategies to address underachievement or poor engagement.
- Analyse and interpret all available data on the year group to inform policy, practice and action plans and report on the year group in line with academy procedures.
- Lead, support and monitor the consistent implementation of Behaviour Management systems within the Pastoral team and across the year group so that effective learning can take place.
- Lead celebration and promote rewards within the year group.
- Monitor students’ attendance and punctuality, and its impact on their progress, and implement strategies for improvement across the year group.
- Uphold academy safeguarding procedures and take individual responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students in the year group.
- Manage social inclusion with attached member of safeguarding team – use external agencies to provide advice and guidance to students.
- Support students with additional learning needs through the Boost Panel and Individual Needs Plan process.
- Ensure the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive citizenship, tutorial and Personal Development programme
- Support the delivery of the academy’s Careers Education Advice and Guidance strategy as relevant to the year group.
- Keep up to date with local and national developments in tutorial and PSHEE provision and teaching methodology.
- Contribute to the development of extra-curricular provision for the year group and promote and monitor students’ participation. Contribute to the development of the curriculum for the year group/key stage and to support students’ understanding of and engagement with choices they have within it
- Promote and monitor students’ scholarship in line with academy standards and support the development of students’ independent learning and collaborative learning skills.
- Monitor and support student overall progress and development.
- Establish common standards of practice within the Pastoral team and develop the effectiveness of learning and teaching in Tutor time
- Contribute to academy procedures for lesson observation, formally monitoring and supporting the development of Tutors
- Lead and manage the Pastoral team, creating a positive working ethos, and ensuring their impact fully reflects the academy’s aims.
- Undertake the day-to-day management of staff within the Pastoral team, as related to their role as Tutor, following the Academy personnel procedures.
- Line manage the 2nd in Charge.
- Contribute to agreed performance management reviews.
- Work with SLT to ensure that staff development needs are identified and that appropriate programmes are in place to meet those needs.
- Develop of the role of the tutor and monitor and support the team’s consistent practice.
- Ensure the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date student information and data.
Agree challenging targets for the year group and work towards their achievement.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Please complete the online application.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Apply for this jobAdditional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Mulberry Academy St Leonards
- School type
- Academies, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- Up to 1500 pupils
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Mulberry Academy St Leonards website
- Email address
- g.sidders@stleonards.mulberryschoolstrust.org
- Phone number
- 01424 448740
Why Mulberry Academy St Leonards?
We’re proud of our people. At Mulberry Academy St Leonards, we are building a culture where pupils, parents, teachers and staff work together in the service of our community. When you join our school, you will find a place where you belong and where your work truly makes a difference to the lives of young people.
Working in education is not always easy. We recognise the effort, creativity and commitment our staff bring every day. We value this deeply and show our appreciation by creating a culture where staff are supported to grow, develop and thrive.
Providing talent development opportunities
We want ambitious and talented people to join Mulberry Academy St Leonards because they want to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.
Professional development is central to our culture. All teaching staff benefit from weekly professional development, and each year we dedicate a two-week professional development programme in October. During this time teachers deepen their practice and collaborate on improving teaching and learning, while colleagues in support roles have structured time designed specifically for their own professional development.
We also build coaching into teachers’ timetables, ensuring every teacher benefit from regular professional dialogue, reflection and support to continually develop their practice.
As part of the Mulberry Schools Trust, staff benefit from Trust-wide expertise, strong collaboration, and opportunities to grow professionally. The East London Teaching School Hub further enhances this offer, delivering nationally recognised programmes and enabling staff to engage in and contribute to training across all career stages.
Providing a good pension
When you join the Mulberry Schools Trust, you will have access to an excellent pension scheme — either the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme, depending on your role.
Offering flexible working
We recognise the importance of balancing work and home life. We consider flexible and family-friendly working opportunities wherever possible, including part-time, term-time and job-share arrangements. At Mulberry Academy St Leonards we also design timetables to support staff wellbeing. All teachers receive a weekly PPA sessions scheduled as an afternoon, which can be worked remotely if teachers wish, supporting a healthy work life balance.
Supporting your health and wellbeing
Balancing everyday life with the requirements of work can create pressures for all of us. Work is a significant part of our lives and we are committed to creating a healthy and supportive working environment.
All employees have free access to a 24-hour confidential counselling and wellbeing service, designed to support staff with a range of personal and professional challenges.
Recognising that the autumn term is the longest and most demanding, we restructured our calendar to better support staff wellbeing with a two-week break in October.
Actively promoting equality and diversity
Mulberry Academy St Leonards is committed to building an equal, diverse and inclusive community. We want the very best people to work in our school regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy, family status or marital status. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from historically under-represented and minority groups, helping ensure our workforce reflects the diverse communities we serve.
Arranging a visit to Mulberry Academy St Leonards
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email g.sidders@stleonards.mulberryschoolstrust.org.
School location
Similar jobs nearby
Associate Assistant Headteacher (Director of Year 7 (for 2026/27))
Bexhill High Academy
Gunters Lane, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN39 4BY
Head of Year 7 (for the 2026/27 academic year)
Bexhill High Academy
Gunters Lane, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN39 4BY
Director of Science- Maternity cover
Bexhill High Academy
Gunters Lane, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN39 4BY
Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed
Find more school jobs in East Sussex, Brighton and Hove