EYFS Lead MPS/UPS TLR 2 (£TBC) Full-time Permanent - St Matthew’s CE (Aided) Primary School and Nursery Centre St. Matthew’s C.E. (Aided) Primary School and Nursery Centre is seeking to appoint an excellent Early Years practitioner to the role of Early Years Foundation Stage Lead from September 2026. The successful candidate will have a key role in the continued development of provision and practice across Early Years, Nursery and Reception. We are looking for someone who is passionate about making a difference to our children and families, through strong leadership, aligning diverse strength into a unified team driven towards a shared vision. The EYFS lead will also be expected to undertake the role of EYFS Deputy DSL, supporting the Designated Safeguarding Lead in ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection across the Early Years Foundation Stage. The role ensures that all children are safe, supported, and able to thrive, and that staff understand and follow statutory EYFS safeguarding procedures consistently. The ideal candidate will be an inspirational practitioner with creative and innovative approaches, who committed to raising standards and improving the outcomes for the children at St Matthew’s. We are looking for an EYFS leader and teacher who: Has a proven track record of outstanding teaching in EYFS Ensure policies and practises meet requirements set out by bodies such as Ofsted, Keeping Children Safe in Education and EYFS Statutory Framework. Will lead EYFS and be responsible for the quality of teaching and learning across the phase. Is an outstanding classroom practitioner with high expectations for themselves, adults working within the EYFS team and all children. Has a thorough and up to date knowledge of the EYFS curriculum. Is committed to bringing the curriculum alive through inspirational learning. Has experience of teaching phonics with a proven track record of achievement. Understands the key role assessment plays in EYFS. Can plan appropriately to meet children's individual needs. Can work strategically with the Senior Leadership Team and other subject leaders to ensure the EYFS curriculum prepares children well for KS1 and beyond. Shows a commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity for all learners and a genuine desire to work co-operatively with parents/carers, staff and other professionals. Has a commitment to contributing to the wider life of the school. Has the ability to lead curriculum areas (to be determined on appointment). Share the school aims and Christian values. To apply: Application forms supporting statements should be emailed directly to the School Business Manager at jayne.oconnell@taw.org.uk. Closing date for applications: Midday on Friday 5th June 2026 Interview date: 17th June 2026 This school is committed to safeguarding children and young people. Online checks will be carried out for all candidates invited to interview following the guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023. The successful candidate will also be subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check along with other pre-employment checks. Visits to the school are welcome, please email contact the Business Manager on 01952 386260 or jayne.oconnell@taw.org.uk You can also view more information about our school by visiting our web page at: https://www.stmatthewscofe.com/ The role is covered by part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and therefore the ability to speak fluent spoken English is an essential requirement for this role. Fluency Duty This post has been identified as a customer facing role and therefore the Council is required to fulfil their statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016. As a public body the Council is obliged to ensure members of staff in such roles are able to have a command of spoken English which is sufficient to enable the effective performance of their role. This post has been assessed as requiring C1 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR)•Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer clauses, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. More information is available at : http://ecouncil/Fluency/Pages/default.aspx This school is committed to safeguarding children and young people. A google search will be carried out for all candidates invited to interview following the guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024. The successful candidate will also be subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check along with other pre-employment checks. Attached documents Job Description Application Form Application Notes for candidates