Head of Year (Non-Teaching)

Department

Pastoral Team

Reports To

Deputy Headteacher

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Year is responsible for leading the pastoral care, welfare, behaviour, attendance, and personal development of students within an allocated year group. Working closely with students, families, staff, and external agencies, the postholder will create a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment that enables every student to achieve their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.

Key Responsibilities

Pastoral Leadership

• Lead the pastoral provision for the allocated year group.
• Develop positive relationships with students to promote wellbeing, resilience, and engagement.
• Act as the first point of contact for significant pastoral issues affecting students.
• Promote high standards of behaviour, attendance, punctuality, and conduct.
• Foster a strong year-group identity and positive school culture.

Behaviour and Student Welfare

• Monitor student behaviour and implement appropriate interventions.
• Investigate behavioural incidents and apply school policies consistently.
• Coordinate restorative conversations, behaviour plans, and support strategies.
• Work with safeguarding staff to identify and support vulnerable students.
• Maintain accurate records of pastoral concerns and interventions.

Attendance and Engagement

• Monitor attendance and punctuality daily.
• Identify patterns of absence and implement strategies to improve attendance.
• Meet with students and parents/carers to address attendance concerns.
• Work alongside the attendance team and external agencies where appropriate.

Student Support

• Support students experiencing emotional, social, behavioural, or personal challenges.
• Coordinate targeted interventions for students requiring additional support.
• Facilitate reintegration following exclusions, medical absence, or other extended periods away from school.
• Signpost students to internal and external support services.

Working with Parents and Carers

• Build effective partnerships with parents and carers.
• Communicate regularly regarding student progress, behaviour, attendance, and wellbeing.
• Lead or contribute to meetings with families to develop support plans.

Collaboration

• Work closely with Form Tutors, Heads of Department, SEND staff, safeguarding teams, attendance officers, and senior leaders.
• Attend pastoral, safeguarding, and multi-agency meetings as required.
• Liaise with external professionals including social workers, educational psychologists, youth services, and health professionals.

Personal Development

• Lead assemblies and year-group events.
• Promote the school's values, expectations, and personal development programme.
• Encourage participation in enrichment, leadership opportunities, and wider school life.
• Support students during transition into and out of the year group.

Administration

• Maintain accurate and confidential student records.
• Analyse behaviour, attendance, and pastoral data to identify trends and plan interventions.
• Produce reports and contribute to meetings regarding student welfare and progress.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, GDPR, and school policies.

General Responsibilities

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Demonstrate commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
• Participate in training and continuing professional development.
• Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the grade of the post.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• GCSE English and Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above), or equivalent.
• Relevant qualification in education, youth work, social care, counselling, safeguarding, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Essential Experience

• Experience of working with young people aged 11–16 or 11–18.
• Experience managing behaviour and supporting student wellbeing.
• Experience working collaboratively with parents, carers, and external agencies.
• Experience using data to monitor attendance, behaviour, or student outcomes.
• Experience maintaining confidential and accurate records.

Essential Knowledge

• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Knowledge of behaviour management strategies.
• Understanding of attendance legislation and intervention strategies.
• Awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues affecting young people.
• Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Essential Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational and administrative abilities.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students and families.
• Ability to manage challenging situations calmly and professionally.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Competence in using school information management systems and Microsoft Office.

Personal Qualities

• Compassionate and approachable.
• Resilient and emotionally intelligent.
• Fair, consistent, and professional.
• Committed to high expectations for all students.
• Flexible, proactive, and solutions-focused.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Safeguarding

Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are proudly APSCo Compliance+ accredited, reflecting our dedication to the highest standards in safer recruitment. All applicants will be subject to thorough compliance checks in line with DfE, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and APSCo guidelines.
If you are passionate about supporting young people with SEMH needs and are ready to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

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