Assistant Head of Year (Maternity Cover)

What skills and experience we're looking for

Looking for a rewarding role where you can make a lasting impact on students' lives? Join Abbeyfield School as our Assistant Head of Year and play a key role in supporting student wellbeing, behaviour, and attendance across the school. This is an exciting maternity cover opportunity to join a dedicated pastoral team committed to helping every student succeed.

About You

Abbeyfield School is seeking a dedicated and proactive Assistant Head of Year to join our pastoral team on a maternity cover basis. Working closely with the Head of Year, you will support students' wellbeing, attendance, behaviour and personal development, building strong relationships with students, families and staff. You will be confident working in a fast-paced environment, have high expectations for young people, and be committed to creating a culture where every student feels safe, supported and able to achieve their potential.

Our Ideal candidate will have

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Pastoral Support

Experience working with young people and the ability to build positive, supportive relationships that encourage high aspirations and achievement.

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Behaviour Management

A strong understanding of behaviour management strategies, alongside the confidence to address challenges, support restorative approaches, and promote high standards of attendance, punctuality, and conduct.

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Communication Skills

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with students, families, colleagues, and external stakeholders while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality

What the school offers its staff

About the Pastoral Team

The pastoral team at Abbeyfield School is committed to ensuring every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Working collaboratively across year groups and departments, the team promotes excellent attendance, positive behaviour, student wellbeing, and safeguarding. Through strong relationships and a student-centred approach, the team plays a vital role in creating a calm, inclusive, and ambitious culture where all students can thrive. Based on the role responsibilities and purpose.

About Abbeyfield School

Abbeyfield School is a values-led community where staff are supported, empowered, and inspired to make a real impact. Guided by our principles of Ambition, Respect, and Kindness, we foster a collaborative culture where every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of our students. Staff wellbeing is a genuine priority, with clear systems, consistent processes, and a calendar that supports work-life balance.

Professional development is central to our ethos. Whether you're starting out or stepping into leadership, you'll benefit from high-quality CPD, coaching, and opportunities to collaborate across Creative Education Trust schools. Our students are curious, courteous, and eager to learn, and our inclusive, restorative approach to behaviour helps every learner feel safe and supported.

Abbeyfield is a school where staff are trusted to lead, reflect, and grow. With excellent facilities and a strong team ethos, it’s a place where you can develop your career and be part of something meaningful. If you’re looking for a school that values its people and puts students at the heart of everything, Abbeyfield is the place for you. To find out more please visit our website.

About Creative Education Trust

Creative Education Trust is a growing network of 17 schools, educating over 13,500 children and young people across England. Since 2010, we’ve worked in partnership with communities to deliver an education that inspires ambition, promotes equity, and unlocks opportunity for every learner.

We believe every child has talent, every community has strength, and every school can be a place where excellence thrives. Our curriculum is rich, broad, and inclusive - designed to build knowledge, nurture creativity, and prepare students for the future.

We are united by a shared purpose: to transform lives through education. Our schools are places where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to lead their own lives with confidence. Through collaboration, high expectations, and purposeful leadership, we ensure that success is both expected and achieved - together.

Visit our Trust website to explore how we support our staff and discover more about our mission, values, and opportunities.

Ready to Join Us?

Submit your application directly through our website. We warmly welcome visits to our school, and if you'd like to arrange a visit or confidential conversation with the Line Manager, our friendly HR/Recruitment team is here to help. Reach out to us at holly.sweetmore@creativeeducationtrust.org.uk, and we'll be delighted to assist you. Want to stay connected? Join our Talent Pool here and be the first to hear about future opportunities.

Essential Information

Creative Education Trust (CET) is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people by keeping them safe, we expect all our colleagues to share in this responsibility.

All shortlisted candidates are subject to online checks prior to interview.

The CET Recruitment Policy follows the guidance set out by Keeping Children Safe in Education, where all offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS Check, separate Barred List Check, References and where appropriate a Prohibition from teaching search.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

CET is committed to developing, maintaining, and supporting an inclusive culture and environment for the benefit of its employees and the communities it serves.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.