Assistant Head of Year

Contract type: Full-Time | 43.7 weeks per year

Working Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday to Thursday 07:30 to 16:00, Friday 07:30 to 15:30, with a 1hr unpaid lunch break each day)

Start date: 01 September 2026

Closing date: Midday on Monday 06 July 2026
Interview dates: Shortly following the closing date

Are you passionate about supporting young people to achieve their best? Do you have the commitment and skills to help deliver outstanding pastoral care in a vibrant secondary school environment? The King Edmund School is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Assistant Head of Year to join our pastoral team. You’ll play a key role in supporting the Head of Year and making a real difference to the lives of our students in Years 7 to 11.

We are determined to become the school of choice in Essex—a place where every young person is challenged, supported, and inspired to thrive. This isn’t a dream - it is a promise and you will be at the centre of delivering and creating this.

The Role

• Work closely with the Head of Year to deliver high-quality pastoral care
• Promote student wellbeing and positive mental health, leading targeted intervention groups
• Be a first point of contact for parents, supporting communication and effective resolution of concerns
• Monitor and promote excellent attendance, punctuality, and behaviour
• Support the school’s zero tolerance approach to bullying, discrimination, and poor conduct
• Help organise school events, assemblies, and key activities such as immunisation programmes and school photographs

What We’re Looking For

• Experience working with young people in a pastoral, educational, or youth work setting
• Experience working effectively as part of a team
• Experience of dealing with sensitive or confidential situations
• Understanding of strategies to promote positive behaviour and wellbeing
• High expectations for all students and commitment to supporting their success

Why Join King Edmund School?

This is a school with immense potential and a powerful sense of purpose. Under new leadership, we are creating something exceptional—step by step, brick by brick. You will be joining a committed, talented team at a moment of transformation, where your leadership will directly shape our school’s success story.

Come and be part of something extraordinary!

The school offers an extensive support programme, including mentor/buddy system, Initial Teacher Training support for Early Career Teachers (ECTs) or for those seeking Qualified Teacher Status (QTS / QTLS), a system of twilight training sessions, as well as excellent development opportunities.  Staff benefits include free car parking, on-site gymnasium and swimming pool as well as staff recognition schemes. 

If you are currently considering a career move, we would very much like to hear from you. For more about our school and vision please see attached welcome letter from our Headteacher.

We also welcome and encourage telephone calls on 01702 560904 to register an interest or to find out more about the school and the role. If you wish to arrange an informal conversation or visit to the school prior to interview, we would be delighted to welcome you to KES prior to the closing date, to offer you the opportunity to get a real sense of the school first hand. 

To arrange a visit, please email your request to Mrs Andrea Atkins – HR Manager at recruitment@kes.essex.sch.uk and provide your availability, as well as a contact telephone number.

The King Edmund School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments will be subject to a satisfactory completion of safeguarding checks.

The King Edmund School is committed to creating a diverse workforce. We’ll consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage, or civil partnership.