Head of Year

WORKING WITH US

Harris Academy Rainham is a very popular and oversubscribed 11-16 academy which is part of the Harris Federation. We joined the Federation in September 2016 and there are exciting times ahead. We opened a Sixth Form for 400 students in September 2023 and are looking for ambitious and dedicated staff who wish to be a part of our Academy. At Harris Academy Rainham we have a dedicated group of staff who are deeply committed to serve our community. We have built a school on our core values of Belong, believe, Become. These values are at the heart of our school and all that we do. What makes us different: Our values are at the centre of our school and aren't simply a slogan on a website. We have a firm but fair approach to behaviour. This is built on the use of consistent routines and teaching our students how to behave. We deliver a knowledge rich curriculum that is developed by our staff to meet the needs of our students. The knowledge we teach takes our students beyond their everyday experiences and enables them to see the world differently. Our leaders are role models, they lead by example, admit mistakes, welcome opinions and love honest conversations. We are a staff united against educational disadvantage with a fierce determination to show our students the world beyond Havering. What we can do for you: Great career progression both within our Academy and the Federation. Excellent professional development opportunities. As a Leading edge school we have been recognised as being at the forefront of educational thinking and research is central to all we do. Meaningful measures to manage workload - no graded observations, early finish on a Friday, no onerous marking requirements but sensible feedback policies. Bespoke support and line management from excellent leaders across the school. Opportunities for fantastic professional growth as the school develops a sixth from. A school where subjects are 'front and centre' of all we do. The subject determines our pedagogy.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

We are looking for a qualified, experienced teacher to join our academy as Head of Year.

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a given year group, including all elements of pastoral care, taking a highly visible role in leading on the vision and ethos for students in the year group, in line with our values of compassion, ambition and respect.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

For students in your year group, you will:

• Ensure high standards of behaviour
• Lead on pastoral care, including responsibility for the direct work undertaken by Form Tutors.
• Act as the first point-of-contact for students and their families regarding their attendance, behaviour, personal development and welfare
• Undertake investigations and respond to Duty Principal requests
• Liaise with other leaders on pastoral and behaviour matters
• Identify and support a caseload of students through the design and implementation of appropriate interventions
• Lead on day-to-day behaviours of students.
• Consult with Heads of Faculty/Subject to establish and maintain excellent behaviour o
• Provide training to all staff to ensure high level of ownership of classroom behaviour at the classroom level
• Monitor the consistency of application of the behaviour policy
• Liaise with the Academy Data Manager for regular reports on student behaviour
• Support restorative conversations between teachers/support staff and students
• Carry out responsive work during Duty Principal duties, resolving minor issues as they arise and leading the investigation of substantial issues
• Minimise disruption to learning by ensuring students are returned to lesson promptly following any disruption
• Follow all steps in the process when an incident requires detailed and through investigation
• Provide reflective and restorative resources/opportunities
• Ensure that all investigation administration is processed and stored appropriately
• Lead on reintegration to lessons following a period of internal or external exclusion or off-site education
• Identify students who meet thresholds for enhanced support and refer them where necessary
• Monitor behaviour reports
• Evaluate the impact of an intervention on subsequent behaviour
• Lead on and monitor attendance and punctuality
• Work closely with the Education Welfare Service and families to re-engage students whose attendance and punctuality has fallen below acceptable thresholds
• Identify the main priorities for coordinated pastoral work within the Academy
• Contribute to the weekly staff briefing and provide pastoral training and development to teaching and support staff

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• QTS (or equivalent) and a good undergraduate degree Management training
• Experience of successful teaching of GCSE at good or better level
• Experience of initiation and effective management of change
• Evidence of raising achievement in present post and showing good value added for groups
• Experience of student leadership beyond the classroom
• At least two years' experience in a leadership role
• Experience of pastoral leadership

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan including access to a virtual GP, electric car scheme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.