Early Years Lead

School Improvement Liverpool Ltd; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Liverpool seeks an experienced Early Years Lead to lead the Reception provision across two classes and to drive an ambitious EYFS curriculum. This permanent teaching and leadership role includes TLR2a responsibilities and close collaboration with staff and senior leaders to ensure high-quality start to education.

The successful candidate will model best practice in language, reading, phonics and maths while coaching colleagues, ensuring safeguarding checks

Qualifications

• We are looking for someone who is an experienced and highly effective EYFS teacher
• has a secure and current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework
• can demonstrate strong outcomes and impact within Early Years
• understands language development, early literacy, phonics and early mathematics
• has experience developing high-quality continuous provision
• understands how to identify and address gaps in children’s knowledge, language and development
• has high expectations of children’s behaviour, independence and attitudes to learning
• understands effective assessment in EYFS and how this should inform teaching and provision
• can support and develop the practice of other adults
• is committed to inclusive practice and safeguarding

Responsibilities

• lead the quality, consistency and development of provision across our Reception unit
• provide strong, visible leadership across the EYFS team
• lead the development and implementation of an ambitious EYFS curriculum
• ensure curriculum planning identifies what children need to know and do
• secure high expectations for teaching, learning, behaviour and engagement
• develop high-quality continuous provision and learning environments
• monitor teaching quality and provision across Reception
• support, coach and develop colleagues to strengthen Early Years practice

Job description

Early Years Lead (Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School)

EYFS Lead – Reception Class Teacher

Permanent | Full Time | TLR2

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Leigh

Shortlisting: 19/10/2026

Lesson Observations 21/10/2026

Interviews 22/10/2026

Are you an experienced and ambitious EYFS teacher ready to lead, inspire and make a significant difference?

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School is seeking to appoint an experienced, highly effective and enthusiastic Early Years teacher to join our team as EYFS Lead.

This is an exciting permanent leadership opportunity for an excellent practitioner who understands how young children learn, has high expectations for every pupil and has the knowledge, confidence and drive to lead the continued development of our Early Years provision.

Our Reception provision consists of two Reception classes, with an annual intake of 45 children. We are looking for a leader who will work closely with staff and senior leaders toensure that every child receives an ambitious, nurturing and highly effective start to their education.

The role

As EYFS Lead, you will have responsibility for leading the quality, consistency and development of provision across our Reception unit.

Alongside teaching within Reception, you will:

• provide strong, visible and supportive leadership across the EYFS team
• lead the development and implementation of an ambitious, well-sequenced EYFS curriculum
• ensure that curriculum planning identifies clearly what children need to know, understand and be able to do
• secure consistently high expectations for teaching, learning, behaviour and engagement
• lead the development of high-quality continuous provision, ensuring that the environment supports purposeful, progressive learning
• ensure that adult interactions are purposeful, responsive and extend children’s language, thinking and learning
• champion communication, language and oracy as fundamental components of Early Years practice
• ensure that early reading, phonics, writing and mathematics are taught effectively and systematically
• use assessment intelligently to identify children’s starting points, gaps in learning and next steps
• ensure appropriate adaptation and support for children with SEND, speech and language needs and those requiring additional intervention
• monitor the quality and impact of teaching and provision across Reception
• support, coach and develop colleagues to strengthen Early Years practice
• promote children’s independence, resilience, curiosity and positive attitudes to learning
• develop effective indoor and outdoor learning environments
• support successful transition into Reception and from Reception into Key Stage 1
• build positive, professional relationships with parents and carers
• contribute to whole-school curriculum development, school improvement and leadership priorities
• ensure statutory EYFS requirements and safeguarding expectations are implemented consistently

We are looking for someone who:

• is an experienced and highly effective EYFS teacher
• has a secure and current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework and effective Early Years pedagogy
• can demonstrate strong outcomes and impact within Early Years
• understands the importance of language development, early literacy, phonics and early mathematics
• has experience of developing high-quality continuous provision
• understands how to identify and address gaps in children’s knowledge, language and development
• has high expectations of children’s behaviour, independence and attitudes to learning
• understands effective assessment in EYFS and how this should inform teaching and provision
• can support and develop the practice of other adults
• is confident in monitoring, evaluating and improving provision
• is reflective, organised and able to translate improvement priorities into effective classroom practice
• is committed to inclusive practice and ensuring that children with additional needs are supported effectively
• communicates effectively with colleagues, families and external professionals
• is ambitious for children and unwilling to accept disadvantage or low starting points as barriers to achievement
• will actively support and contribute to the Catholic life, mission and values of Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

Role Information

Job Title Early Years Lead Job Type Teaching & Learning Job Phase Early Years Location Liverpool

Grade M1-UPS3 Actual Salary Information TLR2a Actual Salary Range £56,486 Contract Type Fixed term Contract Term Full time Closing Date Sunday, October 18th, 2026

About the Role

Early Years Lead

Personal Qualities

What we can offer

At Sacred Heart, we can offer:

• a permanent leadership position with TLR2 responsibility
• the opportunity to lead and shape the development of our Reception provision
• a committed staff team and supportive senior leadership
• opportunities for professional development and leadership development
• children from a diverse school community who deserve the very best start to their education
• the opportunity to have a genuine and sustained impact on Early Years provision and outcomes
• a school committed to improvement, high expectations and providing an ambitious education for every child

Our school mission is:

“We live and learn with Jesus.”

We are looking for someone who will share our ambition for our children and who believes that excellent Early Years education establishes the foundations for future academic success, confidence and personal development.

Visits to the school

Visits to Sacred Heart are warmly encouraged and provide an opportunity to meet our team, see our Reception provision and learn more about our vision for Early Years.

Safeguarding

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks in accordance with statutory guidance.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from appropriately qualified candidates who share our commitment to securing the very best outcomes for our pupils.

If you are an excellent Early Years practitioner who is ready to lead, develop others and help shape the next stage of our EYFS journey, we would be delighted to hear from you.