Head of Year / Pastoral Lead

Head of Year / Pastoral Lead

• Location: Lancaster area, Lancashire
• School Type: Secondary School
• Contract Type: Temporary / Fixed-Term (ASAP to Christmas 2026)
• Salary: 120 - 155 per day
• Start Date: As soon as possible (September/October 2026)

About the Role

Are you an ambitious, resilient, and compassionate educator with a passion for student welfare and academic success?

A large, thriving secondary school in the Lancaster area is seeking an experienced Head of Year / Pastoral Lead to join their dedicated inclusion and pastoral team on a temporary basis, starting immediately and running until the end of the Autumn term (Christmas).

In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for leading the pastoral care, behaviour management, and academic progress of a specific student cohort. You will work closely with form tutors, subject teachers, senior leadership, and external agencies to ensure students are safe, happy, and equipped to achieve their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Pastoral Leadership: Oversee the day-to-day welfare, attendance, punctuality, and behavior of students within the year group.
• Student Support: Act as the first point of call for student, parent, and staff concerns, managing interventions and providing guidance.
• Progress Tracking: Monitor academic data alongside attendance and behaviour metrics to identify underachievement and implement targeted support strategies.
• Safeguarding: Act as a key-holder for safeguarding concerns, liaising effectively with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and external support services.
• Team Management: Lead and motivate a team of Form Tutors, delivering briefings and coordinating year-group assemblies and events.

Candidate Requirements

• Experience: Proven experience working in a secondary school pastoral or middle-leadership capacity (e.g., Head of Year, Assistant Head of Year, or Senior Pastoral Manager).
• Qualifications: A relevant professional youth/social work qualification is highly desirable.
• Skills: Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and organisational skills, with a calm and authoritative presence.
• Knowledge: A strong working knowledge of secondary safeguarding frameworks, behaviour management strategies, and SEND support.
• Availability: Able to start immediately or at short notice through to December 2026.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please submit an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement outlining your suitability for the position.

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