Class Teacher EYFS Lead

Minerva Primary School; Taunton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Teachers’ Pension Scheme

Professional development entitlement

Well-being and health benefits

On-site parking

Job summary

Minerva Primary School in Taunton is seeking an enthusiastic and inspirational EYFS Leader to lead and further develop our thriving Early Years provision. This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive, forward-thinking school and shape the very best start for our youngest learners.

As EYFS Leader, you will lead a committed and dedicated team, including Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager and EYFS-based Teaching Assistants, ensuring every child benefits from an exceptional early education

Qualifications

• Qualified teacher or equivalent teaching qualification.
• Strong understanding of effective EYFS practice and curriculum design.
• Ability to inspire, motivate and develop others.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Nursery and Reception EYFS provision.
• Inspire and manage the EYFS-based team including Nursery/Deputy Manager and Teaching Assistants.
• Drive excellence and play-based learning across the Early Years provision.

Skills

EYFS Leadership

Curriculum design

Staff motivation

Strong communication

Education

Qualified teacher or equivalent

Job description

Job Title:

Class Teacher and EYFS Lead

Actual Annual Salary:

M1 - UPS3 (£34,069 - £52,835)

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full-time, 32.5 hours per week

Proposed Start Date:

March 2027

Are you an ambitious and passionate Early Years practitioner ready to make a real difference?

Minerva Primary School is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and inspirational EYFS Leader to lead and further develop our thriving Early Years provision. This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive, forward-thinking school and play a key role in shaping the very best start for our youngest learners.

As EYFS Leader, you will have the opportunity to lead a committed and dedicated team, including our Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager and EYFS-based Teaching Assistants, ensuring that every child benefits from an exceptional early education experience.

At MPS, we are proud of our play-based rationale for learning in the Early Years. We believe children learn best through high-quality, purposeful play, carefully balanced with the right level of structured and formal teaching to ensure they are fully prepared for a successful transition into Year 1. We are looking for a leader who shares this vision and can continue to drive excellence across Nursery and Reception.

We can offer:

• A highly committed and supportive EYFS team, including a Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager and skilled support staff.


• A welcoming and established Senior Leadership Team that values collaboration, innovation and staff wellbeing.


• Access to high-quality professional development through the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF)


• A school community that places children at the heart of everything we do.


• Opportunities to shape strategic development and make a lasting impact on outcomes for children and families.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about Early Years education and child development.


• Has a strong understanding of effective EYFS practice and curriculum design.


• Can inspire, motivate and develop others.


• Is committed to delivering high expectations and exceptional outcomes for all children.


• Values the importance of strong relationships with children, families and colleagues.


• Has the drive and ambition to lead improvement and innovation.

We warmly welcome applications from both experienced EYFS leaders and talented practitioners who are aspiring to leadership and looking to take the next step in their career. If you are excited by the opportunity to join a supportive school, lead a dedicated team and help shape the future of Early Years education at Minerva Primary School, we would love to hear from you. Join us and help give every child the very best start to their educational journey.

About you:

You will be:

• a qualified teacher or hold an equivalent teaching qualification.


• able to deliver the curriculum in your chosen area and consistently teach high quality lessons across relevant key stages.


• able to meet the needs of learners from key identified groups, including pupil premium, looked after children, SEND and High Attaining students.


• a strong communicator with the ability to embrace change, motivate colleagues and build positive relationships with students, staff and parents.


• able to recognise, value and support the delivery of opportunities which extend beyond the confines of classroom delivery and seek to enrich and add value to the students experience & learning.


• empowered to develop your own expert practice and support the development of others.


• highly competent in all elements of the Teachers’ Standards and your achievements and contribution will be substantial and sustained as an Upper Pay Scale teacher.

Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached job description and person specification, prior to submitting an application.

Why CLF?

We are a diverse and inclusive community of 37 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.

We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

What we can offer you:

• Access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.


• Comprehensive induction and ongoing support for career development and wellbeing.


• Sector-leading professional development entitlement and opportunities.


• Collaboration with colleagues across the trust through subject communities and specialist networks.


• Shared CLF curriculum, written and curated by trust experts, reducing individual teacher workload.


• Career enhancing and progression opportunities within the trust and through the CLF Institute.


• A collaborative culture which supports workload.


• Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.


• Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.


• A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.


• Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking and many more!

Recruitment timeline:

• Closing Date: 03 January 2027


• Short-listing: 04 January 2027


• Interviews: 18 January 2027

Skilled Worker sponsorship:

This role may be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, subject to the candidate meeting the applicable Home Office eligibility and salary requirements. Full-time and 0.8 FTE positions will generally meet the required salary threshold; for other part-time working arrangements, eligibility will depend on the salary applicable to the role and the candidate's working pattern. To help us assess whether sponsorship may be available, we encourage candidates who require sponsorship to provide their current salary information when completing the application form.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer

we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.