Head of Year

Head of Year (Portslade Aldridge Community Academy)

Location: Brighton And Hove, UK

Salary: £33,699 – £35,412

Contract Type: Permanent

Education Phases: Secondary;

Job Roles: Head of Year or Phase;

Working Patterns: Full-Time;

Application Deadline: Monday, 18th May 2026

Interview Date: w/c 18th of May 2026

Expected Working Start Date: 01/09/2026

About us

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) is part of Aldridge Education, a multi-academy trust committed to raising aspirations and transforming lives through education. Locally, this includes Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) and Aldridge Adult Learning.

PACA is a co-educational 11–16 secondary school in Portslade, Brighton & Hove, serving around 1,000 students. The academy has a strong focus on high expectations, inclusivity, and ensuring that every student is supported to achieve their full potential.

The school offers a broad and ambitious curriculum, with a strong emphasis on both academic achievement and personal development. Alongside this, students benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including extracurricular activities, trips, and experiences that enhance learning beyond the classroom.

PACA is proud to serve a fully comprehensive community and places great importance on pastoral care, wellbeing, and preparing students for their next steps through effective careers education and guidance. The academy continues to build on its strengths and is committed to ongoing improvement and excellence.

About the Role:

Head of Year – Be the Difference at PAC

Inspire. Support. Lead. Transform.

Are you passionate about shaping young lives, supporting families, and driving a culture of excellence? At PACA, we’re looking for a dedicated, dynamic, and compassionate Head of Year to become a cornerstone of our pastoral and academic team. As a Head of Year, you'll be more than a manager — you'll be a mentor, a guide, and a leader. Your influence will stretch across classrooms, corridors, and beyond, helping to shape the future of every student in your care. This is a non-teaching role.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re seeking a passionate individual with a strong moral purpose, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to student wellbeing and achievement. Your ability to lead with empathy and inspire resilience will be central to your success.

This is your opportunity to be part of something powerful — to lead with heart, serve with purpose, and help students find their voice and their future.

Ready to lead with impact? Apply today and take your next step at PACA

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Essential Criteria

Education

• Educated to at least GCSE standard including Maths and English
• Grade C/5 or above
• Paediatric First Aid or willingness to undertake it
• Team Teach Training or willingness to undertake it
• Level 3 in Safeguarding or willingness to undertake it

Experience

• Effective behaviour management skills; able to coach others to develop their skills in this area.
• Experience of working with students with behavioural, social, emotional and mental health needs
• Ability to present in front of large groups of staff and students
• Experience of working with families and students from disadvantaged communities

Other skills and qualities

• Ability to communicate verbally with, and write reports for, a range of stakeholders, including Governors and external agencies.
• ‘Warm firm’, equitable approach that hears the views of all and maintains the standard of excellence.
• Absolute commitment to Trust operating norms and the Trust Mission
• Able to build strong professional relationships with colleagues at all levels; building credibility and earning thoughtful followship.
• A disposition for learning, willing to listen and self-aware; not taking self too seriously and considering the differing views of others.
• Excellent communication skills: accurate, concise, warm, coherent and clear (both written and oral)
• Strong organisational skills and time management, able to adjust and flex and mindful of highest priorities at any point in time.

Online Social media Checks:

If you are shortlisted for the position, Aldridge Education will carry out online searches, including a review of your social media presence, in line with our safeguarding responsibilities. These checks are conducted in accordance with the statutory guidance outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025. The purpose of this process is to identify any publicly available information that may present potential safeguarding concerns and to ensure that appropriate due diligence is undertaken.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Aldridge Education, please proceed through the following link to be redirected to our website to complete your application.