11 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    September 2026

  • Closing date

    31 May 2026 at 11:59pm

  • Date listed

    20 May 2026

Job details

Job role

  • Head of year or phase

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Key stage

Early years

Working pattern

Full time: Full-time

Contract type

Permanent

Pay scale

£33,739 - £53,094 per year

What skills and experience we're looking for

Are you ready to lead and inspire early years education in a vibrant, inclusive school community? Do you want to work with a committed SLT to raise standards and champion early years excellence? If so … we want to hear from you!

We are now looking for a passionate and experienced EYFS Lead to join our team and help shape the future of early years provision, ensuring every child gets the best possible start.

Key responsibilities:

  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of early years pedagogy and child development.
  • Lead with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to inclusive practice.
  • Model high expectations for staff and pupils, promoting a culture of excellence and care.
  • Provide strong leadership and management across EYFS, ensuring high standards of achievement and wellbeing.
  • Foster a nurturing, positive learning environment that supports effective interactions and relationships.
  • Support and develop staff through coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
  • Work collaboratively with the Head of School and SLT to implement strategic priorities within EYFS

Our ideal candidate will:

  • Be qualified to teach and work in the UK
  • Have a degree in related subject
  • Have experience and knowledge of the EYFS curriculum and framework and child development and pedagogy
  • Preferably have experience leading or significantly contributing to the success of the EYFS in a school
  • Be resilient, motivated and committed to achieving excellence

What the school offers its staff

  • Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
  • Twice as many training days as standard.
  • Generous pension scheme.
  • Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
  • Interest-free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
  • Gym discounts – offering up to 40%.
  • Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

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

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

View advert on school website (opens in new tab)

About Ark Dickens Primary Academy

School type
Academies, ages 2 to 11
Education phase
Primary school
School size
448 pupils enrolled
Age range
2 to 11
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report
School website
Ark Dickens Primary Academy website
Email address
info@arkdickensprimary.org
See more jobs
teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/ark-dickens-primary-academy

Ark Dickens is a lovely school in the heart of Portsmouth. We are a two-form entry primary academy, which became part of the Ark network in September 2014.

We are committed to our wonderful community and in helping the life chances of our amazing children. We are a school with high aspirations and expectations to ‘Be Our Best’ in all that we do.

We offer a collaborative setting ensuring that staff receive responsive feedback and colleagues are encouraged to learn from one another.

Staff wellbeing and support is of paramount importance to us, and you will be given countless opportunities as well as tailored training geared towards individual professional development.

Hard work will never go unappreciated at Ark Dickens, where there is a spirit of recognition and reward. Our school is a rewarding and fulfilling place to work.

School location

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