St Mary's School, Gerrards Cross - Head of Sixth Form

Summary

The Head of Sixth Form will have specific responsibility for leading a vibrant and high‑achieving Sixth Form, ensuring that every student flourishes academically and personally.

Detail

The Head of Sixth Form will have specific responsibility for leading a vibrant and high‑achieving Sixth Form, ensuring that every student flourishes academically and personally. They will be a strategic leader who plays a key role in shaping and delivering whole‑school priorities. Line managed by the Head the postholder will report to the Deputy Head (Academic) for academic matters and jointly address and develop pastoral matters with the Assistant Head (Pastoral).

Leadership and Management of Others

• Provide purposeful leadership of the Sixth Form team, ensuring that a robust programme of academic challenge and outstanding pastoral care is consistently implemented, reviewed, and refined.
• Maintain strong oversight of student engagement in the co‑curricular life of the School, monitoring participation levels based on termly report from the Director of Co-Curricular.
• Ensure that the Sixth Form team actively attends and supports students at all key Sixth Form and co‑curricular events.
• Foster positive, professional relationships with all members of the Sixth Form community, including students, parents, staff, and alumnae.
• Line Manage the Assistant Head of Sixth Form and Years 12 & 13 Form Tutors supporting their development and effectiveness.
• Contribute to the leadership of whole‑school initiatives and the implementation of operational priorities.
• Support key school events throughout the year, including after‑school, evening, and weekend commitments where required.
• Play an active role in the day‑to‑day organisation and smooth running of the Sixth Form.
• Support the Head in ensuring that the School meets all legal, statutory, and inspection requirements, working collaboratively to prepare for inspections.
• Assist with student and parent complaints, grievances, and disciplinary matters as needed.
• Undertake after‑hours on‑call duties (if required) and organise and participate in Sixth Form socials as well as school trips such as the induction trip prior to start of the year.
• Champion and promote the School’s through‑school ethos, ensuring continuity and connection across all phases.

Monitoring Academic Progress

• Support the Deputy Head Academic and Assistant Head Teaching & Learning in quality assuring Sixth Form academic provision and ensuring that quality first teaching is taking place in every lesson.
• Lead on the monitoring and analysis of student progress at key assessment points in Years 12 and 13, working closely with the Deputy Head Academic, Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning) and the Sixth Form team to identify individual students or groups who are not making expected progress, and explore potential solutions. Ensure that findings are shared half-termly with the Deputy Head Academic and the Assistant Head Teaching & Learning.
• Devise, implement, and evaluate the impact of appropriate academic interventions to support students in Years 12 and 13 in reaching their full academic potential. This includes close liaison with the Head of Support for Learning.
• Work with the Deputy Head Academic and Assistant Head Teaching & Learning to ensure that all students are taking full advantage of wider opportunities for stretch and challenge and take responsibility for the delivery of EPQ.
• Lead and oversee the Year 12 and Year 13 tutor teams, meeting formally with tutors at least fortnightly and remaining available for guidance and consultation to ensure the effective delivery of the Sixth Form tutorial programme.

Other responsibilities include Sixth Form Strategy, Marketing and Provision, Pastoral and Safeguarding Responsibilities and Further Education.

Documents

• Advert - Head of Sixth Form_Feb 26_final PDF Document
• Application pack - Head of Sxith From_Final PDF Document