Required for September 2026 EYFS Leader and Reception Class Teacher MPR/UPR plus TLR2a (£3,527) St Matthew’s is a two form entry primary school, which is housed over two sites. We are seeking to appoint an excellent practitioner, and aspiring leader, to take a significant role in the leadership of our school. The successful candidate will: have the vision to shape and deliver the best early years provision for our children and the knowledge and skills to help us to build on our ‘expected’ Ofsted judgment (February 2026) be an experienced early years teacher who is ready for an exciting leadership role; have excellent communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with pupils, staff and families; be driven to make a difference in the lives of the children that attend our school; bring new ideas and strengths to enhance our existing team; support our Christian ethos. We can offer: wonderful children who love learning; a multi-faith community of supportive staff, governors and parents; the chance to be imaginative and innovative in supporting school improvement; opportunities for continued professional development; dedicated leadership time. Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and expected. The Governors and staff of St. Matthew’s Church of England Primary School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake enhanced DBS. A job description, personnel specification and application form are available from the school. Please contact the Headteacher, Fiona Deakin by phone: 0121 558 1651 or email: fiona.deakin@st-matthews.sandwell.sch.uk. The Governors and staff of St. Matthew’s Church of England Primary School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake enhanced DBS This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is eligible for an enhanced DBS check including a Children's Barring List Check. If you are barred from working with children you are breaking the law if you apply for this post Please ensure application forms are signed if sending via email. Further information relating to our school, including our policies can be found on our website (St Matthew's Church of England Primary School - Home) CV’s will not be accepted. If you have provided an email address, correspondence will be sent via e-mail. Successful applicants will be contacted with an interview date. If you are successful in being short-listed for interview, you will be contacted via email within 28 working days of the closing date. Please ensure you check your junk/spam boxes as well as your inbox in case any correspondence has been delivered there. We are committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. We are a Disability Confident Employer, we have a positive approach to employing disabled people and guarantee an interview for applicants who disclose they would like to be considered under this scheme and meet the essential criteria. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, be sure to include these on your application. Online Search An online search will be undertaken on all shortlisted candidates. This search does not form part of the shortlisting process and you will have the opportunity to discuss any issues of concern that may arise from this search at the interview. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications. Hours: 32.5 hours per week, Full Time Grade: Main Pay Scale - Upper Pay Scale, £32,916 - £51,048 p.a. Location: St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School, Windmill Lane, Smethwick, West Midlands. B66 3LX Closing date: Wednesday 22nd April 2026 Interview Date: Monday 27th April 2026