Head of Years 8 & 9

Location: Farnham, Surrey

Salary: £33,074 - £50,470 Corem1-Excelm3 (MPS/UPS) + TLR 2A (£3,391) + SEN1 allowance (£2,679)

Job starts: September 2025

The Role

The School is an outstanding special secondary school for pupils with learning difficulties. They are seeking an inspirational Head of Years 8 and 9 to join their highly motivated and dynamic staff team. The role is available following the promotion of the existing postholder to Assistant Headteacher. This position would be particularly suitable for an aspiring senior leader with a real interest in developing their pastoral expertise. It is also a fantastic opportunity for somebody who would like to learn more about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and a range of CPD opportunities will be provided to support this. 

You will work extremely closely with their Pastoral Support Team that consists of their Inclusion Manager, Home School Link Worker, Student Welfare Coordinators, Pastoral Support Worker and is led by their Assistant Head Teacher (Pastoral). You will also work closely with the school safeguarding team, developing your knowledge of current safeguarding procedures and legislation and other Heads of Year. For candidates who are interested there will be the opportunity to undergo DSL training in the near future.  You will demonstrate the ability to lead, manage and deliver outstanding lessons that are differentiated to meet the needs of pupils working below national standards. You will be creative, innovative and imaginative.  

The successful candidate will have a strong academic background, be an excellent classroom practitioner who is capable of inspiring and motivating students and have experience of working with children with special educational needs (please note this does not need to be within a special school setting).

They are keen to receive applications from mainstream colleagues too. They welcome applications from both primary and secondary qualified teachers. They have a great mixture of both within their school - something that greatly enhances their curriculum offer! The majority of their students are working at a KS1 and KS2 level with a small number studying GCSEs in English, Maths and Art.

They would like to invite you to come and meet them and see their fantastic students and staff in action prior to placing your application.

Key Responsibilities

• To oversee the pastoral care, welfare and wellbeing of all students in Years 8 and 9 
• Ensure Year 8 students experience a happy and successful transition from Year 7 to Year 8
• To work closely with, and support, members of the Pastoral Support team with matters that arise for students in Years 8 and 9
• Monitor Year 8 and 9 student incidents on the schools’ behaviour reporting system putting strategies in place when necessary 
• Lead the year group of form tutors, delivering high quality form tutor meetings with relevant agendas
• To provide support for students and staff by developing strategies to overcome barriers to learning in conjunction with the school SENCo
• To establish and communicate the highest expectations of attendance and punctuality for all students
• To plan the tutorial programme for Years 8 and 9, support tutors in resourcing the programme, and monitor its delivery
• To support with the leadership of the school when key members of the SLT are off site (this may involve coming off timetable on some occasions)
• To develop effective relationships with the parents/carers of students in Years 8 and 9 and to communicate regularly with them
• To lead, oversee and coordinate assemblies for these year groups
• To oversee extracurricular activities for key stage 3 
• Take responsibility for other Year 8/9 form groups when tutors are absent EG communications with parents 
• To lead, assist and oversee any Year 8 and 9 residential trips alongside the Residential Visits Coordinator
• To liaise with outside agencies to set up interventions to support individuals and groups of students, as and when required
• Be a member of the extended Senior Leadership Team attending any extended SLT meetings that take place 

Skills and Qualifications

• Qualified teacher status 
• Excellent behaviour management skills and ability to build positive relationships with students and parents
• Pastoral experience
• Knowledge of attendance and strategies to improve
• A sound working knowledge of barriers to success exhibited by young people with SEND and the types of appropriate support available
• An understanding of current developments and initiatives in 11-16 education
• Ability to monitor, review and evaluate the work of the school against the SDP and SEF 
• An excellent classroom practitioner
• Ability and desire to maintain good working relationships and manage appropriate roles within the team
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and establish positive relationships with students, parents, staff and outside agencies

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable School, please proceed through the following link to be redirected to their website to complete your application.

https://www.abbey.surrey.sch.uk/1270/vacancies

Closing date: Tuesday 13 May

Interviews: Monday 19 May 2025

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. Enhanced DBS, Children’s Barred List and Right to work in the UK checks are required for this post.  

The School is committed to creating a diverse workforce. They’ll consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.

Contact information

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