Head of Year 7

Ewell Castle School; Epsom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent school in Epsom is looking for a passionate Head of Year 7 to guide pupils during a formative stage of their education. The successful candidate will lead a team of Form Tutors, monitor academic and personal development, and promote pupil welfare while building strong relationships with parents and staff. This full-time leadership role offers an opportunity to shape the educational experience of young people in a supportive and engaging environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Potential for career advancement

Qualifications

• Ability to develop positive relationships with young people and staff.
• Experience in pastoral leadership in a school setting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Form Tutors.
• Monitor academic progress and pastoral care of Year 7 pupils.
• Communicate effectively with parents regarding pupil welfare.

Skills

Passion for pastoral care

Strong communication skills

Leadership and teamwork

Organizational skills

Education

Teaching qualification

Job description

Head of Year 7 Ewell Castle School • Epsom, United Kingdom

Package Description: Full-time · Leadership Position

We are seeking an inspiring, strategic and highly organised Head of Year 7 to lead our pupils through one of the most exciting and formative stages of their school journey. This is a key pastoral leadership post, ideal for a colleague with vision, empathy and the ability to bring out the very best in young people and staff alike.

About the Role

As Head of Year 7, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth transition into Senior School and fostering a positive, nurturing and aspirational environment. You will lead a team of Form Tutors, coordinate pastoral provision, monitor academic progress, and champion the wellbeing, safety and personal development of every pupil in your care.

This role requires a proactive, visible and approachable leader who can build strong relationships with pupils, staff and parents, and who thrives on the challenges and rewards of pastoral leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Coordination

• Lead and contribute actively to Heads of Year meetings and whole‑school initiatives.
• Communicate effectively with Form Tutors and coordinate their work with clarity and purpose.
• Manage, monitor and support Tutor performance, addressing issues promptly and constructively.
• Oversee Year Assemblies and Form Time, encouraging staff engagement.
• Hold regular Year Group meetings (minimum twice per term).
• Ensure high standards of orderliness in Form Rooms, communal areas, lockers and noticeboards.
• Contribute to break and lunch duty supervision to ensure a safe and positive environment.

Pupil Welfare & Academic Monitoring

• Safeguard pupils in line with KCSIE and Prevent Duty requirements.
• Support Form Tutors in all aspects of pastoral care and administrative diligence (including register accuracy).
• Work with Sixth Form Prefects, Form Monitors and pastoral teams to enrich pupil support.
• Assist in the planning and delivery of pastoral education across the school.
• Encourage Year 7 pupils’ full participation in school life.
• Monitor academic progress through assessments, reports and teacher liaison; implement interventions where needed.
• Oversee homework, detentions, attendance and punctuality, ensuring effective follow‑up.
• Track merits, commendations and rewards; present awards in assemblies.
• Liaise with Learning Support and other specialist teams regarding pupils with additional needs.
• Promote high standards of self‑regulation, courtesy and behaviour at all times.

Parental Engagement

• Build constructive, positive and professional relationships with parents.
• Maintain child‑centred communication around progress, wellbeing and concerns.
• Follow up on parental absences from key events.

General Duties

• Share responsibility for Saturday Detentions with Heads of Year and SLT.
• Contribute to wider school routines such as lunch duty and off‑games provision.
• Prepare and maintain Tutor group lists.
• Delegate appropriately to Tutors, ensuring balanced responsibilities.
• Undertake pastoral tasks as directed by the Head of Senior School.
• Escalate significant concerns promptly.
• Support school functions and attend meetings as required.
• Engage in ongoing CPD and involvement in relevant professional networks.

Transition & Induction

• Lead the transition of pupils from feeder schools into Year 7.
• Liaise with ECS Prep and other feeder schools to gather academic, pastoral and safeguarding information.
• Develop early relationships with future pupils (end of Year 5 / start of Year 6).
• Coordinate and attend transition visits in collaboration with Admissions.
• Organise and oversee the Year 7 Induction Trip and Residential Summer Term Trip, including staffing and risk assessments.

Information Management

• Manage all documentation for new Year 7 pupils, including academic, pastoral and medical information.
• Liaise with specialist staff (Learning Support, HPL, EAL, sports departments) to ensure early identification of needs and strengths.
• Share relevant pupil information with Form Tutors and teaching staff.

Start‑of‑Year Leadership

• Lead planning for the first weeks of term, supporting Tutors in establishing strong routines.
• Monitor pupils’ pastoral and social adjustment during their first term, working closely with the pastoral and support teams.

Pastoral Leadership

• Provide strong, visible leadership for the Year 7 cohort.
• Work closely with Tutors to identify and support pupils needing additional intervention.
• Uphold the highest standards of behaviour, organisation and courtesy.

Who We Are Looking For

We welcome applications from colleagues who:

• Are passionate about pastoral care and adolescent development.
• Communicate with clarity, warmth and authority.
• Can lead and inspire a team with confidence and integrity.
• Are highly organised, responsive and committed to the wellbeing of young people.
• Thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative school environment.

About Ewell Castle School

Ewell Castle School is a happy and successful co‑educational independent school on the Surrey/London borders, easily accessible by public transport. We are a through school that offers children aged 4 to 18 the benefits of a family‑friendly atmosphere whilst maintaining a stimulating and rigorous academic programme. We care about the needs of the individual child and this is facilitated by small class sizes and our personalised approach.

Ewell Castle is a private school that oozes charm and character in a green and beautiful enclave. There is widespread affection for the School’s family ethos and we are utterly loyal to our boys and girls, dedicated to inspiring their best achievement, whether in: academic success, sporting excellence or exceptional performing arts. The School’s reputation for an ambitious and personalised approach to each pupil is well founded, as is our excellent reputation for pastoral care, creating a rounded and grounded experience for all.

Ewell Castle School’s ideology is to focus our energy on the learning and welfare of our children. What happens in the classroom is the beating heart of the School, stretching and challenging our pupils to achieve more than they thought possible. The School has a vibrant community spirit and is a genuine mixed ability school with a focus on helping every child to thrive.