Head of Year 8

St Helen’s is an academically selective independent girls’ day school of more than 1100 students aged 3-18, set in beautiful green space in Northwood, North-West London.

St Helen's is now seeking to appoint a Head of Year 8 for September 2022.  Applications are particularly welcome from teachers of Mathematics, Geography, Physics, Computer Science and Music.

The Role

The role of Head of Year 8 is one which carries considerable responsibility for the pastoral care of the pupils in Year 8 and for ensuring that these girls enjoy the best possible opportunities to fulfil their individual potential. Reporting to, and working closely with the Head of Middle School, the Head of Year 8 will be involved in monitoring the academic progress, wellbeing, and co-curricular engagement of girls in their year group and will deputise for the Head of Middle School as required. 

The role of the Head of Year 8 provides an opportunity for those interested in furthering their professional experience in pastoral leadership. It is intended to provide experience in all aspects of pastoral work and the opportunity to develop expertise in pastoral issues.  

The role of Head of Year 8 will involve: 

• Under the leadership of the Head of Middle School, having responsibility for the pastoral care of all pupils in their year group.
• Having day-to-day oversight of significant pastoral concerns in Year 8 and coordinating programmes of support for individual students wherever necessary.  
• Supporting the Head of Middle School in promoting good behaviour and discipline across the Section.
• Meeting regularly with the Head of Middle School and participating, when required, in meetings of the wider pastoral team e.g., the Pastoral Committee, Middle School team meetings with the Assistant Head Pastoral.
• Promoting the ethos of the school and actively supporting the values and aims of the school
• Knowing all the girls in Year 8; sharing best practice and modelling outstanding pastoral care.
• Leading the Year 8 tutors day-to-day, leading tutor team meetings, monitoring and developing professional skills of Year 8 tutors in response to pastoral issues, and parental and teacher queries.
• Reviewing, planning, and monitoring the quality of tutor time in Year 8, intervening, and tracking as appropriate.
• Working with the Middle School team and PSHCE Co-ordinator to review and plan the PSHCE programme for the Section, monitoring delivery of this in Year 8, and intervening and tracking as appropriate. 
• Supporting the girls in Year 8 at events and in their co-curricular activities. 
• Taking Year 8 and Section assemblies regularly, chairing pastoral meetings and contributing to staff briefing.
• Working with the Head of Middle School to track and monitor the academic progress of every girl in Year 8, organising appropriate support and guidance, and liaising with subject teachers, tutors, and parents as necessary. 
• Monitoring the attendance and punctuality of all students in Year 8.
• Working with the Coaching Pupils Lead and Head of Middle School to support the tutor team in coaching their tutees, including observations, and being responsible for coaching a small number of Year 8 pupils throughout the year.
• Deputising for the Head of Middle School on occasion as agreed e.g., running pastoral meetings, attending whole school events, communicating with parents, etc.
• Taking responsibility for organising agreed specific events for girls and parent functions.
• Assisting in the smooth running of routines relevant to Middle School and in the delivery of the Middle School Development Plan.

Teaching 

• Teaching the appropriate teaching allocation and fulfil the role of subject teacher.  There will be a 6 period allowance for this responsibility over a two week timetable.

General 

• Keeping abreast of relevant best practice in Independent Schools. 
• Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, by adhering to and ensuring compliance with the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
• Implementing responsibilities as set out in the School’s Health & Safety Policy.
• Assuming other duties which may be reasonably required or delegated by the Headmistress from time to time.