Head of Year
Sheldon School, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6HJ21 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
3 February 2026 at 8am
Date listed
13 January 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of year or phase
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £32,916.00 - £51,048.00 Annually (Actual) MPS/UPS Plus TLR1c - £14,869
Head of Year job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Head of Year to lead our new Year 7 cohort from September 2026. You will be a key part of our wider pastoral team, working closely with a team of tutors, a Deputy Head of Year, and our Pastoral Lead to ensure every student feels safe, supported, and able to thrive - regardless of social background, academic ability, or special educational need.
This is an ideal role for an experienced teacher with a passion for pastoral care and a commitment to supporting students as they begin their secondary education.
This opportunity has arisen following the retirement of Mark Merriman, our current Head of Year 11 who has served Sheldon for an incredible 37 years, including 23 years as Head of Year. We are looking for an exceptional candidate to continue this legacy of outstanding pastoral care and leadership.
Over the past two years, Sheldon has invested heavily in pastoral care to ensure that every student’s needs are met both inside and outside the classroom. Our support network includes:
- A full-time Pastoral Lead for each year group
- An Attendance Officer and administrative support
- Access to mental health professionals with a clear mental health referral system.
This robust structure enables you to focus on building relationships, supporting wellbeing, and driving high standards across your year group.
As Head of Year, you will lead a dedicated team comprising eight tutors, a Deputy Head of Year, and a non-teaching Pastoral Lead, with overall responsibility for approximately 240 students. This is a significant leadership role at the heart of our pastoral provision. You will be the face of the school in meetings, working with families and local providers to ensure that students are happy and engaged in school life.
Our School
At Sheldon, we are unapologetic in our approach to ensuring that every student can thrive regardless of social background, academic ability or special educational need. We give students a better chance of success than if they attended any other school. We pride ourselves on having the highest expectations of all students and staff. We are passionate about working together with parents to ensure success for all our pupils. We are committed to providing a high-quality education that improves the life chances of all students.
Our Values
Be kind means that we are thoughtful and considered about how we treat ourselves and others and we always show gratitude.
Be brave means that we are confident learners who contribute in lessons. We don’t make excuses and we accept that we all make mistakes and learn from them.
Be the best you means we give 100% each and every day to be the best we can be. We believe that success comes through showing ambition, grit and stamina.
Visiting the School
If you would like to arrange a tour of the school or speak with our Headteacher, Pete Lynch, please contact his PA, Helen Akinbobola on 01249 766020 or via email hakinbobola@sheldonschool.co.uk.
How to make an application
To apply, complete the My New Term Application Form using the Supporting Statement section of the form to detail your suitability for the role, your motivation for making an application and how your knowledge, experience and training meet the person specification. We may choose to close this vacancy earlier if we have enough interest.
In line with KCSIE 2025 and safer recruitment practices, the school will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates. The online search is part of our safeguarding checks and will seek publicly available information on candidates’ suitability to work with children. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with further guidance and will be asked to clarify their online presence.
References will be obtained before interview at shortlisting stage and may be used in the interview process. If previous employment has included working with children, then at least one referee must be from this employment regardless of whether this is the current or most recent employment Any gaps in employment must be detailed and an explanation provided in the relevant section.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer feedback on individual applications that are not shortlisted for interview.
Further information about the job
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
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Sheldon School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1558 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Sheldon School website
Sheldon School is a large mixed secondary school and sixth form in Chippenham, Wiltshire for students aged 11 to 18 and is the largest school in Wiltshire. Since April 2011, it has been an Academy.
School location
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