Early Years Practitioner (Maternity Cover)

Richard de Clare Community Academy, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2JT

14 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  13 April 2026

• Closing date

  22 February 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  5 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Early years
• Working pattern: Part time: 30 Hours per week Term Time Only
• Contract type: Fixed term - 12 months - Maternity or parental leave cover
• Pay scale: Scale 3, point 4- 5

What skills and experience we're looking for

Richard de Clare Community Academy is part of the Bridge Academy Trust: a collegiate and collaborative Trust, where, first and foremost, each school is a place of (high quality) learning, where young people ENJOY, ENRICH, ACHIEVE & ASPIRE. The core purpose is to provide high quality continuity of every child’s journey through education from 3 to 19, with a community and school-led school improvement approach and long-term sustainable strategy. Bridge Academy Trust is committed to its people strategy and prioritises staff’s development to ensure they too can enjoy, enrich, achieve and aspire.

About the role:

Our ideal candidate will be a reliable, caring, flexible and enthusiastic person who genuinely enjoys interacting with children. An ability to be a positive member of a team is essential and a sense of humour would be a bonus. We are looking for an addition to our wonderful team who has the energy and enthusiasm to make a difference!

An understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and Statutory Framework is desirable but not essential as training can be provided. We are committed to continuous professional development and the relevant training will be provided for the successful applicant. Previous experience of working in a school or nursery setting is also desirable.

We can offer:

• Enthusiastic and friendly children who are willing to learn
• An inclusive and nurturing ethos
• Exciting and creative learning opportunities
• A committed and dedicated staff
• A well-established Early Years team
• Employee benefits and support from EAP

We welcome applications from all interested persons who can fulfil the person specification and job description. The school fully supports the professional development of all staff and will provide the necessary support and training for the successful applicant.

Work Schedule:

Fixed Term until 9th April 2027

30 Hours Term Time Only (38 weeks)

How to Apply: To apply for the role, please complete the application form, demonstrating how your skills and experience match the criteria in the Job Description and Person Specification and return directly to Richard de Clare Community Academy. Visits to the school are strongly encouraged and warmly welcomed prior to making an application.

Application guidance notes are also available to assist you with completing your application.

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be made to the school office via email to admin@richarddeclare.com

What the school offers its staff

This trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. If successful, an enhanced DBS check would be sought. The Bridge Academy trust welcomes applications from those of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnic groups.

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

This Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, medical clearance and satisfactory references. Bridge Academy Trust welcomes applications from those of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnic groups.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Job Description Person Specification - EYP.pdf - 246 KB (opens in new tab)

About Richard de Clare Community Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 364 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Richard de Clare Community Academy website
• Email address: recruitment@bridgeacademytrust.org
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/richard-de-clare-community-academy

At Richard de Clare Community Academy we aim to ensure that all children have a happy and successful experience at our school. All that we do is underpinned by our core school rules of being kind, being safe and being respectful. We believe that all children have the right to be respected and have the responsibility to learn how to respect others.

Richard de Clare Community Academy is part of the Bridge Academy Trust: a collegiate and collaborative Trust, where, first and foremost, each school is a place of (high quality) learning, where young people ENJOY, ENRICH & ACHIEVE. The core purpose is to provide high quality continuity of every child’s journey through education from 3 to 19, with a community and school-led school improvement approach and long-term sustainable strategy

Arranging a visit to Richard de Clare Community Academy

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@bridgeacademytrust.org.

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