Maternity Cover Vacancy: Class Teacher (Year 1)

West Sussex County Council; Lancing; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Sompting Village Primary School, part of West Sussex County Council, seeks a Year 1 Class Teacher for a fixed-term post from January 2026 to August 2027 to cover maternity leave. You will be a passionate, resilient educator committed to high standards and inclusive practice.

The successful candidate will join an ambitious, supportive team, focused on student progress, professional development, and strong relationships with pupils and families in a calm, friendly school environment.

Job description

Temporary, Experienced Mainscale or UPS Teacher.

Are you an ambitious, inspiring teacher who wants to make a real difference?

Sompting Village Primary School is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, dedicated and highly motivated Year 1 Class Teacher to join our team from January 2026, on a full-time, fixed-term contract until August 2027, covering a period of maternity leave.

We are looking for a teacher who is highly ambitious for the children of our school, enabling every child to be their best both now and into their futures, by making learning engaging and appropriately challenging, through the provision of a wealth of opportunities that develop children’s knowledge, skills, confidence and curiosity.

The teacher must be a dedicated, thoughtful, driven, hardworking and committed individual with a genuine passion for teaching and a strong belief in the positive difference they can and will make to children’s lives.

Just as importantly, the teacher must be a patient, caring and positive individual who shares the values of our welcoming, inclusive, calm and friendly school ethos. They must understand the importance of building strong relationships with pupils, colleagues and families, and be committed to creating a supportive environment in which every child feels valued and can thrive.

What can we offer you?

At Sompting Village Primary School, we are proud to provide a supportive and collaborative environment, where staff are encouraged to develop professionally, share ideas and have their voices heard.

You will join an ambitious, collegiate, community-focused team, where strong relationships between staff, pupils and families are at the heart of everything we do. We value teamwork, open communication, mutual respect and a shared commitment to achieving the very best outcomes for every child. We also believe that a good sense of humour has an important place in school life!

In return for being a reflective, adaptable, resilient and determined professional who helps all children make excellent progress, you will be supported by colleagues who share your commitment to high expectations, continuous improvement and the success and well-being of every child.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

Sompting Village Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Any offer of employment will be subject to the satisfactory completion and outcomes of our pre-employment checks:

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check
• References
• Pre-employment medical questionnaire
• Verification of original identification documents
• Verification of the right to work in the UK
• Verification of the qualifications required for the role

Applicants who have lived or worked overseas during the last five years must provide a certificate of good conduct or appropriate criminal records information covering the relevant period that has been spent overseas.

In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, we undertake online searches for all shortlisted candidates as part of our safer recruitment procedures. Along with other checks, this helps us assess suitability to work within our school and supports robust procedures in our commitment to safeguarding and protecting children.

Sompting Village Primary School and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

Visits to Sompting Village Primary School

We warmly welcome prospective applicants to our school to meet us before submitting an application.

To arrange a visit, please contact the school office on 01903 204627 or email [e-mail].

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