Early Years Leader

Fir Tree Junior School, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 0NY

19 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  13 April 2026

• Closing date

  26 January 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  5 January 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £32,916.00 - £51,048.00 Monthly Plus fixed-term TLR3

Early Years Leader job summary

Fir Tree is a vibrant, successful two-form entry setting in the town of Wallingford, south Oxfordshire. 230 pupils are currently on roll (Year 3 - Year 6).

An exciting and eagerly awaited project is underway, which will culminate in September 2026 when Fir Tree officially converts from a Junior to Primary setting.

This new role represents a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to play an instrumental role in setting up and leading EYFS provision in a school which values the professional development of all colleagues.

We envisage an experienced Reception teacher with leadership experience or clear leadership potential joining our team in April 2026. They will spend the summer term working alongside supportive, enthusiastic colleagues in ensuring the school is ready to offer pupils in its first ever Reception cohort the educational start they deserve. It is planned that Nursery provision will open during 2027.

School leaders have worked to craft sensible policies which take the workload and wellbeing of colleagues into account. In short, we focus on approaches that make a difference where it matters most; in the classroom. The school’s values underpin all of its work, and we strive for kindness to be the default in all interactions across the community.

The school, and the community it serves, benefit greatly from being part of the Oxford Diocesan School Trust (ODST). This organisation provides bespoke professional learning for colleagues, regardless of their role, while at the same time offering colleagues frequent opportunities to gain expertise in formal and informal networks across 43 schools.

The school has excellent transport links with Oxford, Reading and multiple south Oxfordshire towns and villages. From September 2026, Reception pupils will be the first to experience a purpose built EYFS unit, encompassing well appointed classrooms and associated outdoor space.

Visits to the school are warmly encouraged and these can be arranged by contacting us by phone or email (01491 836341/admin.2578@fir-tree.oxon.sch.uk)

Closing date for applications: Monday 26th January 2026 (midday). We plan on interviewing shortlisted candidates during the week commencing 2nd February, but reserve the right to Interview on receipt of sufficient applications and close the application process early.
Fir Tree Junior School, as a member of the Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust, is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders in regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced check. Online checks may also be carried out to comply with KCSIE.

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

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

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 Fir Tree Junior School

• School type: Academy, ages 7 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 235 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 7 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Fir Tree Junior School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/fir-tree-junior-school-wallingford

Fir Tree is a two-form entry junior school with close links to our feeder infant school St Nicholas C of E, and currently we have 218 children on roll. We take pride in our ethos, which is underpinned by the values of: respect, responsibility, courage, tolerance, friendship and perseverance.

We are fortunate to have a fantastic school site, with a forest school and pond, a vegetable garden (supplying our chef, Siva, with home-grown produce to be cooked for lunches in our school kitchen), a large playing field, play equipment and an outdoor classroom which we call ‘The Castle’.

This is an exciting time for Fir Tree Junior School. Whilst currently a two form entry junior school, due to housing growth in the town we expect to become a one-form primary school and whilst we can’t put an exact date on this yet, we anticipate the change is likely to happen within the tenure of our next Headteacher. As such, the appointed candidate will need to be able to demonstrate strong planning skills and an ability to work collaboratively - with our colleagues at St Nicholas C of E Infants’ School, with colleagues within ODST and with those at Oxfordshire County Council. Although planning is still at a relatively early stage, the eventual project will provide a rare opportunity to support the transition of a junior school into the full primary phase.

School location

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