At Ark Elvin Academy we are working hard to give all our pupils an excellent education and are looking for committed teachers and support staff to join us at this exciting stage in our school improvement journey. Our team of enthusiastic, high expectations staff are doing what it takes to rapidly improve our school and deliver the outstanding education our community needs and deserves. We are deeply committed to our mission:

“To ensure that every pupil leaves Elvin confident, articulate, and culturally aware; able to pursue careers they are passionate about, contribute to society and live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives.”

In our recent OFSTED inspection (October 2019) it was recognised that Ark Elvin Academy:

“Pupils, parents and staff all agree that Ark Elvin Academy has improved out of all recognition. Pupils are proud of the school.”

“The headteacher and leaders have very high expectations…… Staff want all pupils to succeed in every area of their lives, not just academically.”

“The school is a calm, safe and supportive place for pupils. Pupils behave very well in lessons. They get on well with one another and with adults. At breaktimes the atmosphere in social areas is friendly. Pupils say they feel safe and bullying is not a problem. If there is any, it is dealt with quickly.”

We are a large non-selective secondary school in the London borough of Brent, with excellent transport links to central London.  We are committed to ensuring teachers can focus on teaching and have the opportunity to refine and develop their practice in the classroom and develop their leadership skills, we have:

·        twice as many training days as is standard

·        weekly professional development for all staff

In recruiting for our Head of Year we are seeking the following from applicants:

•        A commitment to our school improvement process 

•        A growth mindset 

•        High standards of professionalism and courteousness 

•        The potential to be an exceptional leader 

You will become part of a close knit professional community of enthusiastic colleagues who benefit from the training, guidance and support from both the Ark network, one of the country’s top performing school groups and our North London region of schools where we work closely with four outstanding schools; Ark John Keats Academy, King Solomon Academy, Ark Academy and Isaac Newman Academy.

We encourage and welcome you to arrange a time to visit our school, contact Anita Amaning on a.amaning-ampong@arkelvinacademy.org or 020 8902 6362.   

Job Description:  Head of Year

Reports to: Assistant Principal

The role

The head of year is responsible for the culture, ethos, leadership and management of a designated year group. They will lead on the strong discipline, attendance and character development programme for their year group with the aim of instilling our high expectations and a deep buy in to our school ethos. They will identify barriers to pupils’ engagement in school and work with the pastoral team to intervene effectively so that every child at Elvin understands the purpose of a great education and is prepared to work hard and make progress.

Key responsibilities

·        Embedding all Elvin routines across the year group

·        Leading the daily, weekly and termly pastoral review process

·        Leading the tracking and intervention for attendance

·        Leading and evaluating the impact of a range of pastoral interventions

·        Embedding both rewards and sanctions consistently and with impact

·        Lead a team of form tutors and coordinate year team meetings

·        As a member of the academy leadership team – model our leadership team essentials and play an active role in our school improvement process

·        Embedding a safeguarding culture in all aspects of academy life.

·        To undertake, within reason, other various responsibilities as directed by the Head of Department or Principal.

Person Specification: Head of Year 

Qualification Criteria

• Qualified to at least degree level and above
• Qualified to work in the UK.
  

Experience

• Evidence of being, or having the potential to be, an outstanding head of year
• Experience of improving behaviour and instilling high expectations in a challenging environment. 
• Experience of establishing successful learning relationships with a variety of children at the relevant age
• Experience of having worked successfully in at least one school in an urban, multi-cultural setting, teaching students from backgrounds of socio-economic disadvantage

Skills and attributes

We are looking for these skills and attributes or at the very least, a candidate’s clear, demonstrable capacity to develop them:

Alignment with Elvin vision 

• Relentless drive to do whatever it takes to ensure all pupils succeed.
• Embody our core values – integrity, courage, community and mastery – in all aspects of work and conduct.
• The belief that with the right environment all of our pupils are able to excel at university, or in a meaningful alternative.
• The courage and conviction to make a difference.

Communication skills

• The ability to listen and communicate effectively.
• Empathy and the ability to understand the needs, aspirations and motivation of diverse individuals and groups.
• The ability to influence and motivate others.

Working with others

• Develop and communicate a shared vision.
• Model desired behaviour and values.
• Empower, support and coach others.
• Hold others to account for high standards of performance.
• Understand and resolve conflict.

Problem solving 

• Identify, analyse and resolve problems and issues.
• Develop plans with concrete outcomes and effective solutions.
• Evaluate results and identify necessary actions. 
• Make fact-based decisions.

Resilience 

• Sustain energy, optimism and motivation in the face of pressure and setbacks.
• Stay calm in difficult situations and maintain clarity of vision.
• Be adaptable in the face of adversity.

Results and learning orientation 

• Awareness of own strengths and limits.
• Commitment to ongoing improvement and learning.
• A passion for own role and that of others.
• Focus on achieving challenging goals and results.
• Resourcefulness and flexibility in delivering outcomes.

Leadership 

• Effective team worker and leader.
• Demonstrates resilience, motivation and commitment to driving up standards of achievement.
• Acts as a role model to staff and students. 
  Vision aligned with Elvin’s high aspirations, high expectations of self and others.

Other

• Commitment to equality of opportunity and the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils
• Willingness to undertake training

Ark is committed to safeguarding children; successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS