Head of Year 7 in London

We are seeking to appoint a Head of Year 7 from 1 January 2026 either on a permanent or temporary contract. You will be responsible for ensuring outstanding pastoral support for students, fostering a culture that enables all 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.

You will:

• Have experience of pastoral leadership.
• Foster a strong sense of school community and ethos among both staff and students.
• Establish positive working relationships with parents and carers of the year group and communicate regularly with them.
• Act as a positive role model to staff and students, communicating the highest expectations of behaviour, attendance and punctuality.
• Implement and reinforce a consistent behaviour policy and system of rewards and sanctions, characterised by consistent, orderly behaviour and caring, and respectful relationships.
• Be committed to Ark Putney’s ethos of high expectations.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity or for any queries, please contact Julie Rickard at j.rickard@arkputneyacademy.org or on 202 861 4974.

Benefits include:

• Tailored professional development based on the needs of the teacher and department to ensure everyone achieves their full potential.
• Regular rewards and recognition for effort.
• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers.
• Interest‑free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

Ark Putney Academy opened in September 2012 as part of the Ark network in the London Borough of Wandsworth. We’re a mixed school with 950 students, ranging from year 7 through to sixth form. We adopt a holistic view to educating young people. Through our commitment to inclusion, equality and attainment, we prepare every student to be a pillar of any community. We’ve been celebrating a successful year so far with extremely strong GCSE results. This reflects our excellent teaching and the dedication of our staff both to the students and each other. In our 2022 Ofsted inspection we were rated ‘Good’ in every category with real strengths in teaching and learning, curriculum breadth and personal development.

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 you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.