Early Years Lead

Abbeyfields First School, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2LZ

27 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  29 April 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  2 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
  • Head of year or phase
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Early years
• Working pattern: Full time: FTE 1
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: UP1 to UP3
• Additional allowances:

  TLR 2 - £3527 per annum

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking an inspiring, ambitious and experienced teacher to join our Senior Leadership Team as our new Early Years Lead. This is a key strategic post focused on securing consistently high-quality Early Years provision across Nursery and Reception as the foundation of Abbeyfields First School. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to lead EYFS improvement at a pivotal stage. As we develop a partnership with a private, school-based nursery for children aged 0–3 alongside our own outstanding provision, you will play a central role in driving EYFS forward and ensuring our children receive the very best start to their school life. The recent successful allocation of a £150,000 school-based nursery grant will enable us to further transform and enhance our provision. Using our extensive grounds and our very own forest, you will champion the purposeful and ambitious use of outdoor learning, recognising its vital role in supporting children’s development, curiosity and wellbeing. You will ensure that the indoor and outdoor environments work seamlessly together to deliver exceptional learning experiences and outcomes for all children. As part of your role, you will maintain a teaching commitment in Nursery or Reception and lead by example through consistently high-quality practice.

We are looking to appoint someone who:

● Is an exemplary classroom practitioner with uncompromisingly high expectations for all pupils

● Is a driven, proactive and resilient leader who can inspire, challenge and develop a team to achieve excellence

● Has a proven ability to lead and secure high-quality EYFS pedagogy, including strong adult interaction and highly effective enabling environments

● Can drive continuous improvement, using research and best practice to secure outstanding outcomes for all children

● Is passionate about outdoor learning and able to maximise its impact across the provision

● Builds strong, positive relationships with parents, carers and a wide range of stakeholders

● Leads with clarity and purpose to ensure the highest standards in teaching, learning and assessment

● Contributes actively and strategically as a member of the Senior Leadership Team to whole school and Trust development

What the school offers its staff

In return, we can offer you:

● A nurturing, supportive and highly dedicated team with a shared vision and strong values

● Delightful children who are eager to learn and exceptionally well behaved

● A forward-thinking school and Trust with a strong commitment to innovation and excellence

● A strong commitment to your continuing professional and leadership development

● A challenging, rewarding and exciting opportunity to shape the future of Early Years in a highly successful school.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Further information can be found on our careers website:

https://www.cheviotlearningtrust.co.uk/careers/abbeyfields-first-school-early-years-lead

Commitment to safeguarding

We are strongly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If you are invited for an interview, you will be required to disclose convictions that would not be filtered,prior to the date of the interview. Certain spent convictions and cautions will be ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed. Full details on protected convictions and information about which convictions must be declared during job applications can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Abbeyfields First School

• School type: Academy, ages 3 to 9
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 325 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 9
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Abbeyfields First School website
• Email address: k.wilkinson@afs.cheviotlt.co.uk
• Phone number: 01670513582
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/abbeyfields-first-school-morpeth

Abbeyfields is located in the Kirkhill area of Morpeth, not far from the town centre. We are a mainstream first school for children aged three to nine, incorporating a Nursery class, with 360 children currently on roll.

We are proud to share with you why we feel that ours is a truly wonderful nurturing, inclusive and educational environment for all children. We strive to provide a place which is both stimulating and safe, where children are given the best possible start to their education and an excellent foundation for life in today’s ever changing world. We want the children and their families to be happy and love coming to school!

Our dedicated staff ensure that students are challenged to meet their potential, in a supportive environment. We have a holistic view of education and pride ourself on offering a fully rounded educational experience. It is not only in the academic sphere where our students excel. Our commitment to extra-curricular activities is very strong, and we offer our students an extensive enrichment and extra-curricular programme. We believe there is something here for everyone.

We have many amazing people working here. People who are knowledgeable, passionate and committed. Some people spend their career with us, some because they’ve found their niche, others are with us because of the opportunities to grow and develop. We want great people working for us. To get the best, we will always offer the best in terms of employment and opportunity. Diversity and inclusion are important to us - we are all individual and shaped by our personal characteristics, backgrounds, knowledge, skills and experience. We believe we provide a great place to work. We are very proud of our staff, students and our legacy. Please take a moment to look through our website to get an insight into what our school has to offer.

Arranging a visit to Abbeyfields First School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email k.wilkinson@afs.cheviotlt.co.uk.

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