At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire Year 9-11 students, guiding their wellbeing and academic progress.
- Company: Join the vibrant community at Surbiton High School, dedicated to exceptional pastoral care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives during key stages of their education.
- Qualifications: Good honours degree, experience in pastoral care, and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Culturally diverse school committed to inclusion and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Surbiton High School is seeking an inspiring, dedicated and forward-thinking Head of Year 9/10/11 to join our vibrant community. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate educator committed to exceptional pastoral care and eager to play a leading role in shaping pupils' wellbeing, personal development and academic progress. As Head of Year, you will be at the heart of our pastoral provision - guiding pupils through key stages of their school journey, supporting their growth, and ensuring they flourish both inside and outside the classroom. This role is ideal for a teacher who wants to make a real difference, lead with compassion and purpose, and collaborate within a supportive and innovative pastoral team. Applications from teachers of all subject areas are encouraged, though appointments will be subject to timetabling capacity.
What You'll Be Doing
- Champion Pupil Wellbeing & Development: Leading the pastoral welfare, conduct and progress of Years 9, 10 or 11; Building strong relationships with pupils, Form Tutors and families, fostering trust and confidence; Being a visible, approachable presence across the Year group, regularly visiting form rooms; Guiding pupils at critical points, including GCSE options in Year 9 and A-level choices in Year 11.
- Lead and Inspire Your Team: Coordinating and supporting Form Tutors and the Assistant Head of Year; Facilitating half-termly tutor meetings and contributing to the whole-school wellbeing agenda; Playing a leading role in the development and delivery of our PSHE and SMSC programmes.
- Drive Academic Progress: Monitoring academic progress and achievements of individual pupils; Working closely with senior leaders during reporting cycles and parental consultations; Supporting transition to Sixth Form through close collaboration with senior colleagues.
- Engage with the Wider School Community: Attending co-curricular events and celebrate pupils' achievements; Being available during GCSE results week for your Year group.
- Teaching Responsibilities: Alongside your pastoral role, you will bring your subject expertise to the classroom by delivering inspiring lessons that promote curiosity, independence and confidence; Supporting every pupil to feel included, valued and challenged; Maintaining strong subject knowledge and embracing best pedagogical practice; Contributing to co-curricular activities, school trips, departmental planning and whole-school initiatives.
About You
- Brings the Right Qualifications & Experience: Holds a good honours degree. Ideally has QTS (desirable but not essential). Has experience within pastoral care and working collaboratively with colleagues.
- Demonstrates Strong Skills: Excellent organisational and communication abilities. Confidence in delivering engaging lessons across age groups. ICT proficiency and strong administrative skills.
- Embodies the Right Personal Qualities: Warm, approachable and able to build meaningful relationships. Committed to helping pupils flourish in every aspect of school life. A team player with integrity, enthusiasm and high professional standards. Reflective, imaginative and ambitious-for yourself and for the pupils you lead.
Why Join Us?
At Surbiton High School, you'll be part of a community that values innovation, collaboration and exceptional pastoral care. We invest deeply in professional development and offer opportunities to grow your leadership practice through CPD and ongoing training. If you are passionate about guiding young people through some of the most significant stages of their school lives, we'd love to hear from you. Surbiton High School holds a Skilled Worker sponsorship licence and, subject to all the relevant legal requirements being met, we would be willing to consider sponsorship for the successful candidate. Surbiton High School is culturally diverse and fully committed to celebrating and respecting inclusion and diversity throughout our community.
Safeguarding & Other Notices
Surbiton High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and online/social media searches. Please note that the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the recruitment process. For any queries relating to the role or your application, please email recruitment@surbitonhigh.com
Head of Year 9/10/11 employer: Surbiton High School
Contact Detail:
Surbiton High School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Year 9/10/11
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at Surbiton High School on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insights into the school culture and what they really value in a Head of Year.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by thinking about real-life examples that showcase your pastoral care skills. We want to hear how you've made a difference in students' lives, so have those stories ready to share!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for pupil wellbeing! During the interview, express your commitment to supporting students through their academic journey. We love candidates who can articulate their vision for fostering a positive environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our vibrant community at Surbiton High School.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Year 9/10/11
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for pastoral care shine through. We want to see how dedicated you are to supporting pupils' wellbeing and development, so share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience with leading teams, engaging with students, and driving academic progress, as these are crucial for the Head of Year role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that directly address the requirements of the role. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you the perfect fit for our vibrant community.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Surbiton High School.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surbiton High School
✨Know Your Pastoral Care Inside Out
Make sure you understand the key aspects of pastoral care and how they relate to the role. Be ready to discuss your experiences in supporting students' wellbeing and personal development, as this will be crucial for the Head of Year position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams or initiatives in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire and coordinate with Form Tutors and other staff, as well as your approach to fostering a collaborative environment within the school community.
✨Engage with the School's Values
Familiarise yourself with Surbiton High School's ethos and values. Be prepared to discuss how your personal teaching philosophy aligns with their commitment to innovation, collaboration, and exceptional pastoral care.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Anticipate questions that may ask how you would handle specific situations involving student welfare or academic progress. Think through your responses and consider how you would apply your skills to support pupils during critical stages of their education.