Early Years Lead

The Vale Academy, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 4QP

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  8 May 2026 at 8am

• Date listed

  24 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £37,449.00 - £51,526.00 Annually (Actual) AST 3-12 £37,449-£51,526 dependent on experience

Early Years Lead job summary

Early Years Lead

The Vale Academy has an exciting opportunity for a highly effective Early Years leader to join our dynamic team! We are a school that is dedicated to providing an outstanding education to every child. Our lovely students, hardworking teachers, and supportive parents create a community that is committed to excellence in all areas of education.

Here at The Vale Academy, we are passionate about inspiring young minds and ensuring that in everything we do, we are making a positive impact on our pupils’ lives. We are looking to recruit an experienced, engaging and excellent Early Years practitioner with a thorough knowledge of the Early Years and primary curriculum, subject leadership and assessment who will take a major role in implementing the aims and objectives of the school.

This fantastic opportunity could suit an experienced and aspirational primary phase teacher who has the proven ability to move into a leadership role, or a current Early Years’ leader who is ready to embrace a fresh challenge and will help us achieve our ambition to deliver exceptional quality Early Years leadership at our primary school.

The successful candidate will:

Have expertise in Early Years and child development

Have experience of teaching within Reception and understanding of KS1 (including teaching Phonics)

Be a friendly, passionate and driven member of staff who puts children and quality learning at the heart of everything they do - willing to go the extra mile to make great things happen for our children.

Be a strong team player who not only leads by example, but also enjoys working as part of a team and inspiring and motivating others

Have experience of leading and managing people

Have excellent communication skills with staff and able to foster positive working relationships with children, staff and parents

Be committed to supporting the Principal in the furtherance of the school’s vision and aims.

Be hardworking, practical, resilient, organised and effective in managing the smooth day-to-day operations of a school and staff team.

Be rigorous in managing safeguarding concerns and ensuring all children are kept safe.

JOB SPECIFICS

Start date September 2026

Salary AST 3-12 dependent on experience

Contract Permanent, Full-time

The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the deadline date.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding and welfare of children is paramount and all our staff share this view.

Applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding and child protection checks including with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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.

Commitment to safeguarding

Advantage Schools is committed to safeguarding and child protection at every stage of the recruitment process.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Vale Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 2 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 602 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Vale Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-vale-academy

Primary School

School location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Bedfordshire