Head of Year Interview

[wheresmyliveship]

I have an interview for a Head of Year post this week in my school. If I get the role I think I'm likely to be given a KS4 group and I was wondering if anyone had any advice? Specifically what you think the biggest challenge in KS4 is?

Thanks in advance!

Hi I'm a head of year; although enjoying being on maternity leave! I've had year 8-10. KS4 will be focused on GCSE and progress...make sure you know your data and school focus groups for intervention. Have a plan of what you would do if say a student was underperforming in x areas. Safeguarding is a massive part of role; so knowledge on procedures; early help assessments; agencies. Also they may ask you about role of tutors; how to ensure tutor time is productive etc. I see the role of HOY as holistic it's about building relationships with staff; students parents to maximise progress and wellbeing. Any questions feel free to shout. Good luck I love the job.

It depends a little on how they view HoYs in your school some see them as very important and strategic, others as mumsy carers, or laddish gadabouts. (for which read PE teachers who they want to promote!)

If the focus is more the former , mug up on data and pupil premium. The list above is excellent. Only thing I can think of that is missing is strategies for improving attendance.

Know what the weak spots of your school are : and what is on the improvement plan. How does this fit into the requirements of your precise role?

They are bound to ask about behaviour , about leading teams and about handling difficult situations and/or parents.

Please have it clear in your head why you actually want the role!

Good Luck!

Oh, and depending on specifics of your role (assemblies, form time, PSHE etc) know about British Values.

For KS4 they might ask you about CEIAG (think I got that right...)

How many are up for it? Have you got any tasks to do too?

Oh and anxiety and mental health!

The job is huge....

I'm a HoY; I used to be Ks4 but the school grew so now I'm Y11 and have a Ho Y10 working with me too. I would say it's important in your interview to talk about the holistic nature of the job i.e. that academic and pastoral always come hand in hand and both have to be dealt with in order to have a student who is happy and achieving targets. Similarly the whole team of people supporting the child has to work together BUT it's important to remember the child has to be the one who wants to succeed and there's no point having parents and staff rushing around like blue arsed flies as this will have little impact of the child is uninvolved, unengaged, passive.

Thank you! Role appears to have shifted more to have a data focus which suits me, but will swot up now on the above. A couple going for each role so we shall see!

Good luck!

Data and attendance and data and disadvantage are very strongly linked so perhaps think about those.

Also, what questions would people ask at the end? I never know what to ask about the role!

That really is context specific : it really makes a difference what type of school you are in.

A good catch all is to enquire about support in your first year and about training opportunities.

Any news?