Early Years Classroom Teacher

Hateley Heath Academy; Black Lake; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Hateley Heath Academy is seeking an exceptional Early Years teacher who believes every child has the right to feel safe, included, understood and successful. The role focuses on building relationships, noticing children, removing barriers, and creating experiences that help each child feel capable.

We are a warm, inclusive and ambitious academy where inclusion is central to our curriculum, environment and approach, including Forest School and play-based learning.

Job description

At Hateley Heath Academy, we believe childhood matters.

We are a warm, inclusive and ambitious Academy, where every child is known, valued and celebrated as an individual.

We are now looking for an Early Years teacher who shares our belief that every child has the right to feel safe, included, understood and successful.

At Hateley, inclusion is not an add-on. It is central to our curriculum, our relationships, our environment and the way we think about children.

We recognise that children come to school with different needs, strengths, experiences and starting points, and we work hard to ensure every child can access learning, feel a strong sense of belonging and flourish.

This is not a school that stands still.

We are looking for an exceptional early years teacher who wants to be part of something amazing. Someone who understands that great teaching is about more than delivering lessons — it is about building relationships, noticing children carefully, removing barriers, adapting learning and creating experiences that help every child feel capable.

We are proud of our:

• Inclusive and child-centred approach to learning
• Commitment to equality, belonging and access for all children
• Strong SEND, pastoral and wellbeing support
• A belief that relationships and belonging are the foundation of successful learning
• Beautiful learning environments both inside and outside
• Forest School provision
• Innovative Early Years provision built on play, exploration and child development
• Commitment to educational research and reflective practice
• Strong team culture where staff wellbeing matters
• Ambitious vision for the future of infant education

We are constantly reflecting on what excellent education should look like

We are looking for someone who:

• Is an excellent classroom practitioner with high expectations for every child
• Believes all children can succeed when they are understood, supported and included
• Understands that behaviour is communication and believes relationships come before compliance
• Can adapt teaching and provision to meet a wide range of needs
• Builds warm, trusting relationships with children, families and colleagues
• Understands the value of play, exploration and continuous provision within Early Years
• Is creative, reflective and excited by new ways of thinking
• Notices children carefully and responds to what they need
• Works positively with teaching assistants, SENDCo, families and external professionals
• Has a genuine passion for early childhood education
• Wants to be part of a team that reflects deeply, learns together and is never afraid to improve

Most importantly, we want someone

What we can offer:

• Incredible children who are enthusiastic, curious and eager to learn
• A highly supportive, caring and inclusive staff team
• A school that genuinely values professional development
• The opportunity to work within an innovative learning environment
• A leadership team that values creativity, trust and collaboration
• Regular professional development tailored to your individual needs
• The chance to help shape the future direction of infant education
• A school community where inclusion, nurture and ambition go hand in hand

This is an opportunity to join a school that is not afraid to stand out from the rest.