Reception Teacher - Maternity Cover

St Helens Council; St Helens; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Thatto Heath Community Primary School, part of St Helens Council, is seeking an excellent Reception Teacher to join our Early Years team on maternity cover from January 2027 until the end of Summer Term 2027. The role involves teaching one Reception class within a three-form-entry primary school, collaborating with the EYFS team to deliver high-quality provision.

We value enthusiastic, reflective practitioners who understand EYFS, develop language-rich environments, and uphold high expectations

Qualifications

• Excellent, enthusiastic and reflective classroom practitioner.
• Strong understanding of the EYFS statutory framework and how young children learn.
• Creates an exciting, purposeful and language-rich learning environment.
• Has high expectations for children’s learning, behaviour and personal development.
• Understands the importance of early reading, phonics, communication and early mathematics.
• Committed to high-quality continuous provision alongside effective adult-led learning.
• Uses assessment effectively to identify children’s next steps and adapt teaching.
• Understands the importance of early identification and support for children with SEND.
• Passionate about inclusion and removing barriers to learning.
• Builds positive, trusting relationships with children and families.
• Works effectively as part of a team and values the contribution of all staff.
• Fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Responsibilities

• Teach one of the Reception classes and work closely with the EYFS team to provide high-quality provision.
• Contribute to an inclusive and language-rich learning environment.
• Support early reading and phonics teaching as part of the Early Years curriculum.
• Identify children’s next steps through assessment and adapt teaching accordingly.

Skills

Excellent practitioner

EYFS framework

Language-rich environment

High expectations

Early reading

Phonics

Continuous provision

Assessment for learning

SEND support

Inclusion

Team player

Safeguarding

Job description

“An Amazing Journey Stars here”

Are you an enthusiastic, nurturing and ambitious Early Years teacher looking to join a warm, inclusive and forward-thinking school?

Thatto Heath Community Primary School is looking to appoint an excellent Reception Teacher to join our dedicated Early Years team from January 2027, providing maternity cover until the end of Summer Term 2027.

We are a large, vibrant and highly inclusive three-form-entry primary school where our children are at the HEART of everything we do. We are looking for a teacher who shares our high expectations and believes that every child deserves an exciting, language-rich and nurturing start to their school journey.

About the role

The successful candidate will teach one of our Reception classes and work closely with our established EYFS team to provide high-quality, engaging provision.

We are looking for someone who:

• is an excellent, enthusiastic and reflective classroom practitioner;
• has a strong understanding of the EYFS statutory framework and how young children learn;
• creates an exciting, purposeful and language-rich learning environment;
• has high expectations for children’s learning, behaviour and personal development;
• understands the importance of early reading, phonics, communication and language and early mathematics;
• is committed to high-quality continuous provision alongside effective adult-led learning;
• uses assessment effectively to identify children’s next steps and adapt teaching;
• understands the importance of early identification and support for children with SEND;
• is passionate about inclusion and removing barriers to learning;
• builds positive, trusting relationships with children and families;
• works effectively as part of a team and values the contribution of all staff; and
• is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Experience of teaching in Reception would be desirable, although we also welcome applications from strong teachers who can demonstrate excellent knowledge and understanding of Early Years practice.

What we can offer

• happy, enthusiastic and wonderfully diverse children;
• a welcoming, supportive and experienced EYFS team;
• strong leadership support;
• a well-resourced and stimulating Early Years environment;
• a school with a strong commitment to inclusion and meeting the needs of children with SEND;
• a strong focus on communication, language and oracy;
• established approaches to early reading and phonics through Read Write Inc.;
• high-quality professional development and opportunities to develop your practice; and
• supportive colleagues who genuinely care about our children, families and community.

Come and meet us

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit the school. This is an excellent opportunity to meet our children and staff, see our Reception provision in action and find out whether Thatto Heath is the right school for you. School visits are available on Tuesday 20th October from 4pm.

At Thatto Heath, we believe that happy, motivated staff create the best learning experience. That’s why we prioritize wellbeing, celebrate achievements, and foster a strong sense of belonging.

Come join us — where your passion for education meets a community that truly cares.

Thatto Heath is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

For more information regarding this role, please contact [e-mail]

School Visits Tuesday 20th October 2026 @ 4pm

Closing date Monday 2nd November 2026

Interview and Lesson Observations Monday 9th November 2026

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, who share our values, our commitment to inclusion, and who will help us on our journey to transform our organisation. The Council guarantees an interview to disabled applicants who demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria for the job, as detailed on the Person Specification, and will, for qualifying disabled candidates, make reasonable adjustments within selection.

Full Job Description & Person Specification Documents are included with this advert.