Director of Learning (Head of Year)

Are you ready to shape the learning journey of an entire year group? Lift Unity City is looking for a Director of Learning to join our team, where we believe every child deserves an excellent education, in every classroom, every day.

About the role

This is a unique dual-focused role combining active classroom teaching with the year-group leadership traditionally known as a 'Head of Year'. As Director of Learning for Year 8 at Lift Unity City, you will maintain a teaching timetable while taking overall academic and pastoral responsibility for our Year 8 cohort. You will guide students through a defining year in their development. You will move up through the school years alongside your cohort each academic year, providing consistent leadership, continuous care, and strong relationships as your students progress year on year.helping them build confidence, navigate their options choices, and grow as individuals. This role sits right at the heart of our Lift Schools mission: ensuring every child receives an excellent education, in every classroom, every day.

Key responsibilities

• Support students to make clear progress through quality assurance and intervention
• Work with year tutors and teams to build positive engagement with students and families
• Monitor and respond to data with the Data Manager to improve learning outcomes
• Oversee academic mentoring, rewards and student conferences
• Provide teaching as part of your role, showing great practice in the classroom

We are looking for someone who

You'll be a skilled teacher with Qualified Teacher Status and a proven background in helping students of all abilities succeed. You'll know how to use assessment and data to plan interventions that work. Can you bring calm, patience and clarity when things feel uncertain. Skills and experience required for this role are:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) & Teaching Excellence: A relevant degree and QTS, supported by a proven track record of delivering engaging, high-quality lessons that adapt to the needs of all learners.
• Pastoral & Year Group Leadership: Experience or clear readiness to lead a year group, fostering a warm, positive, and inclusive culture through high expectations, consistent routines, and empathetic behaviour management.
• Data-Informed & Tailored Interventions: The ability to analyse student progress and assessment data to spot individual needs, design effective interventions.
• Strong Communication & Leadership: High emotional intelligence with the ability to lead, coach, and motivate form tutors and support staff, alongside building strong, trusting partnerships with parents and carers.
• Safeguarding & Inclusion: A deep commitment to promoting child welfare and safeguarding standards (requiring an Enhanced DBS check), alongside a proactive approach to driving equality, diversity, equity, and belonging across the academy.

We value people who reflect on their practice, stay curious and adapt to meet the needs of every learner. You'll be someone who builds relationships, listens well and brings people together to solve problems. Does this sound like you?

About Lift Unity City

Lift Unity City a thriving and diverse school in Middlesbrough, known for its sharp focus on student success and we are proud of our supportive community and collaborative culture. Our school vision is simple, yet powerful- 'everyone has a determination to succeed, a love of learning, pride in their school and a strength of character.' Alongside excellent leadership and teaching, we will help children to go on to lead successful and happy lives. 
Here, you'll be part of a passionate team committed to making a real difference, with the opportunity to contribute to an exciting school improvement journey and see your impact firsthand. With a clear vision and strong community behind us, Lift Unity City is a place where success is the expectation. 

Who is Lift Schools?
Lift Schools is made up of 62 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 35,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

How we support you
We want you to feel supported, valued and able to grow throughout your career with Lift Schools. From high-quality professional development and career progression to wellbeing support and opportunities to connect and collaborate across our network, we invest in you so you can do your best work.
Discover how we'll support you to thrive, develop and grow your career in the way that's right for you: How we support you

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. At Lift Schools, we're committed to equality, equity, diversity and inclusion. If you're passionate about learning and believe every child can achieve, we'd love to hear from you. Could this be the role where you make a real difference?

All appointments are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references and safeguarding checks. You must have the right to work in the UK.