Head of Year (Full Time/ Part Time / Remote / Online / UK)

MVA is an award-winning online independent school for students aged 11 - 18. Founded in December 2020, we have become the fastest-growing independent school in the UK and have won multiple awards, including the National Business Award for Best Business in the UK with under 50 Staff in 2022.

Explore our website (https://www.minervavirtual.com/) to learn all about us, including our Four Pillars, Teachers, recent news and pupil/parent testimonials. You can also see an introductory video here.

We have an opportunity for a well-qualified, insightful, and committed Head of Year for either KS3 or KS4 with the possibility of additional roles such as DDSL, Teaching and Mentoring. Please specify on your application your preferred key stage and additional roles you are interested in.

All MVA staff are expected to embody the Ways of Being in their work with us, to be mindful of their safeguarding responsibility for all students, and to ensure they are familiar with and confident in the implementation of school policies.

We are seeking to appoint a hardworking, dynamic and ambitious Head of Year to join our thriving school and work as part of our excellent pastoral team.

The successful candidate will have some experience in a pastoral role within a school setting.

The Role:

Heads of Year are responsible for the overall well-being of their year group. They need to be role models for the MVA Ways of Being and are expected to support the School’s ethos at all times. They will liaise with the Deputy Head Pastoral and Assistant Head Safeguarding.

Leadership

The role involves overseeing the pastoral care and academic progress of a year group, serving as a mentor model and supporting continuous professional development. Responsibilities include managing student welfare, meeting with parents, and coordinating sanctions. It also entails supporting students during transitions, delegating tasks to mentors, providing counseling, and promoting student wellness through initiatives addressing issues like E-safety and mental health.

Working with students

Planning and conducting weekly assemblies and facilitating social rooms for the year group. It involves leading a student voice group, fostering a positive culture with students, and addressing individual learning barriers in collaboration with various stakeholders. Additionally, responsibilities include monitoring student behavior and progress, managing student transitions, promoting high behavior standards, supporting peer mentoring, and utilizing data to track academic progress. Furthermore, the role entails supporting students' personal development through assemblies and mentor guidance.

Working with staff 

Actively participating in weekly Head of Year meetings, contributing ideas and proposals for the development of the year group, including initiatives, events, and guest speakers. Additionally, it entails implementing the year group priorities program, including career-related activities, and maintaining communication with mentors to address student concerns collaboratively. Responsibilities also include collaborating with teaching staff to monitor student behavior, working with various officers to improve attendance and safeguarding measures, identifying students needing additional support with the SENCO, and contributing to the development of school-wide pastoral care policies. Finally, it involves participating in senior leadership meetings and supporting events for parents, such as Information Evenings.

Working with parents/carers and external agencies 

The role involves serving as the primary liaison for parents/carers regarding pastoral and behavioral issues, communicating with them following incidents or concerns and discussing support strategies for their child. Responsibilities also include fostering positive relationships with parents, providing information and assistance, hosting regular parent meetings, and collaborating with external support agencies when necessary. Additionally, the role entails supporting mentors in their communication with parents, responding to parental inquiries via various channels, and maintaining accurate records of all interactions and interventions related to students in the year group.

Administration

Maintaining precise records of interventions and meetings on CPOMs, ensuring seamless transfer of student information within and outside the school, and proofreading reports and assisting with references for students. Additionally, responsibilities include completing necessary paperwork for external agencies and enhancing the year group area on Canvas to provide students with information on relevant topics and areas of interest.

Other areas of responsibility 

Safeguarding 

Adhering to statutory safeguarding guidelines such as "Keeping Children Safe in Education" and implementing school safeguarding policies. Collaborating with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is essential to promote students' best interests and share concerns when needed. Additionally, the role entails actively promoting the safeguarding of all students within the school community.

For more information and to read the full job description and person specifications, please see the attached documents or contact recruitment@minervavirtual.com