At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a year group, uphold academy standards, and manage safeguarding and behaviour.
- Company: Castle Mead Academy, part of The Mead Educational Trust, located in Leicester.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to shape a new school culture.
- Why this job: Join a growing school and make a lasting impact on students' lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in pastoral support and a passion for student excellence.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art building with a supportive team.
The predicted salary is between 34144 - 36854 £ per year.
A unique opportunity for dedicated and enthusiastic head of year to join the team at Castle Mead Academy, as part of The Mead Educational Trust. In August 2019, Castle Mead Academy, a non-selective secondary school, opened its doors and welcomed our first year 7 cohort. Since then, we have never looked back! We are now fully-grown, with over 1200 scholars as part of our school, going about their learning each and every day.
Building on the success of Rushey Mead Academy, Castle Mead is making available in the heart of Leicester a standard of education matching the very best schools in the country so that every scholar leaves us with high value academic qualifications and wider positive dispositions to enable them to lead fulfilling lives. The opportunity to work in a growing school is like no other. When you start a school from scratch like we have, it is a golden opportunity to put in place all of the amazing things you have heard and read about from the best schools in the land - but in one place, here in Leicester!
Having moved into our new state‑of‑the‑art school building in 2022, join us and help to build a genuine legacy of your own, alongside colleagues who are aligned in their values. Castle Mead is an Outstanding school, and we seek a colleague with high potential to join our team. We are recruiting our next Head of Year.
This is an opportunity for an experienced pastoral support worker who is:
- wanting to lead a year group and uphold the ethos, expectations and standards of the academy;
- seeking to lead on safeguarding and behaviour management as part of our pastoral team;
- willing to learn from the expertise of our Lead Behaviour and Safeguarding Officer;
- wanting to grow as a leader in a growing school.
We seek someone who has a genuine moral purpose and belief that everyone is capable of excellence. We seek a colleague to join us to bring a no excuses approach, to ensure every child has the very best offer that they deserve. We know that carefully considering the way we do things and how this impacts on our school culture is of paramount importance.
Please submit your application by Thursday 16th April 2026, 9.00am. For further information, a confidential discussion, to book a visit to Castle Mead Academy or any technical queries please contact Kirsty Gunn, Office Manager by email or telephone (details can be found in the candidate pack).
Castle Mead Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This post will involve contact with vulnerable groups (children, young people and/or adults) and is therefore, exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure check. This exemption means that shortlisted applicants for this post will be required to declare all criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, and bind‑overs both spent and unspent in their application, before interview and regardless of the passage of time.
Head of Year in Leicester employer: Castle Mead Academy
Contact Detail:
Castle Mead Academy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Year in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in education, attend local events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Castle Mead Academy and The Mead Educational Trust thoroughly. Understand their ethos and values so you can show how you align with their mission during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. This will help you articulate your experiences and demonstrate your passion for leading a year group effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team at Castle Mead Academy.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Year in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for education and pastoral care shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in students' lives!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and ethos of Castle Mead Academy. Highlight your experience in safeguarding and behaviour management, as these are key aspects of the role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This helps us understand your qualifications quickly!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Castle Mead Academy
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your own values and how they align with the ethos of Castle Mead Academy. Be ready to discuss how your moral purpose drives your approach to education and pastoral care.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led a team or year group in the past. Highlight your experience in safeguarding and behaviour management, as these are key aspects of the Head of Year role.
✨Understand the School's Culture
Research Castle Mead Academy and its journey since opening. Familiarise yourself with their achievements and challenges, so you can speak knowledgeably about how you can contribute to building a positive school culture.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the school's future plans, support for professional development, or how they measure success in pastoral care. It shows your genuine interest in the role and the school.