At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire students to achieve their best in a supportive school environment.
- Company: Join Ark Blake Academy, a thriving and ambitious school in East Croydon.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, free breakfast, and excellent professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to fostering a positive school culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while advancing your teaching career.
- Qualifications: Passionate teachers with Maths or English expertise are encouraged to apply.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 55000 € per year.
Location: East Croydon – 10-minute walk from East Croydon Station
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Closing Date: 11 May 2026
This is a fantastic opportunity for a knowledgeable and passionate Head of Year to develop their career with the support of an excellent leadership team and strong school culture at Ark Blake Academy. The role is ideally suited for an exceptional teacher who is committed to inspiring students to achieve the best possible academic outcomes. We strongly encourage applications from Maths and English teaching candidates.
The role of Head of Year is critical to the continuing progress of the academy. As Head of Year you will be responsible for ensuring outstanding pastoral and academic support for all students, fostering a culture that enables students to maximise their achievements across the spectrum of school life. You will be instrumental in our mission to provide every student, regardless of their background, a great education and real choices in life.
The successful candidate will work closely with other teachers and leaders in Ark Blake Academy’s team, as well as across the Ark Network to secure excellent outcomes for our children.
You will:
- Be vision aligned with our approach to curriculum and teaching
- Have genuine passion and a belief in the potential of every student
- Have up-to-date knowledge in the curriculum area
- Be motivated to continually improve standards and achieve excellence
What we offer our staff?
- Collaborative planning, centralised or shared resources
- Clear and consistent behaviour systems
- Knowledge rich curriculum & traditional T&L approach
- Highly visible supportive leaders who have your back
- Centralised daily detentions
- Realistic and manageable feedback policy
- Excellent CPD opportunities – internal & within network
- Thoughtful and impactful meeting schedule with time for co-planning
- Friday afternoon co-planning following earlier student dismissal
- Free breakfast daily
About Us
Ark Blake Academy is a growing and successful academy based in East Croydon that opened in September 2020. We are consistently oversubscribed in every year group and currently have students in Years 7–11. We continue to grow and look forward to our first cohort of students completing their GCSE studies in the summer of 2025. We now wish to recruit for further key roles to drive forward our ambitious plans.
At Ark Blake Academy, our mission for the school is to embed a powerful knowledge-rich curriculum and provide fantastic opportunities for character development, all underpinned by an environment where exemplary behaviour is the norm. In terms of our school culture, it is based around the simple but powerful belief of ‘working hard, being kind and taking responsibility’. We aim to become a leading school in London as quickly as possible by living out this day to day belief.
Diversity and inclusion:
We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.
Safeguarding statement:
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.
Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.
Head of Year in Croydon employer: ARK
Ark Blake Academy is an exceptional employer located in East Croydon, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritises the professional growth of its staff. With a strong emphasis on a knowledge-rich curriculum and character development, employees benefit from excellent CPD opportunities, a manageable feedback policy, and a culture that values hard work, kindness, and responsibility. Join us to make a meaningful impact on students' lives while enjoying a range of benefits including free breakfast and a thoughtful meeting schedule.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Year in Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at Ark Blake Academy on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Ark Blake's values and culture. Think about how your teaching style aligns with their mission of fostering a supportive environment for students.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for education during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've inspired students in the past, especially in Maths or English, to demonstrate your commitment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you’re serious about joining the Ark Blake team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Year in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for teaching and supporting students shine through. We want to see how committed you are to inspiring every student to achieve their best!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to reflect the values and mission of Ark Blake Academy. Highlight your experience in fostering a positive school culture and how you align with our approach to education.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that directly address the role's requirements. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you the ideal candidate!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us quickly and securely. Plus, you can find all the details about the role and our academy there.
How to prepare for a job interview at ARK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re up to date with the curriculum and teaching methods relevant to the role. Brush up on the latest educational trends, especially in Maths and English, as these are key areas for Ark Blake Academy.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your enthusiasm for teaching and supporting students shine through. Share specific examples of how you've inspired students in the past and how you plan to continue doing so in this role.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Ark Blake Academy’s mission and values, particularly their focus on hard work, kindness, and responsibility. Be prepared to discuss how your personal teaching philosophy aligns with theirs.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the academy is the right fit for you. Consider asking about their approach to professional development or how they support teachers in achieving excellence.
