Early Years Practitioner - Opossum Nursery
Thorpe Hall Primary School, London, E17 4DP16 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
28 June 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
12 June 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 9.45am-6pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9.45am- 5.45pm Thursday 36 hours per week. Term Time Only plus inset days (45.05 weeks per year including annual leave)
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £35,520 – £37,134 Full Time Equivalent
What skills and experience we're looking for
Early Years Practitioner (EYP)
TheOpossum Federationis seeking an enthusiastic and committedEarly Years Practitionerto join our team as soon as possible.We are a family of schools in East London dedicated to transforming and enriching the lives of the communities we serve.Our ethos is built on the belief that every child deserves a high-quality education that inspires and challenges them to meet their full potential.
The Role
- Workplace:Opossum Federation contract with an initial base atNewport Nursery.
- Position:Permanent.
- Salary:Scale 6, point 18-21 (£35,520 - £37,134 FTE / £30,689.99 - £32,084.52 Pro Rata).
- Hours:36 hours per week, Term Time Only plus inset days.
- 9.45am-6pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
- 9.45am- 5.45pm Thursday
Key Responsibilities
- Partnership:Work alongside Nursery teachers to help meet the aims of the setting and implement curriculum programming.
- Child Support:Act as a keyworker for a group of children, observing and assessing their development and maintaining accurate records.
- Curriculum & Environment:Lead specific activities, contribute to curriculum development, and share responsibility for creating a stimulating learning environment.
- Parental Engagement:Build trusting relationships with families and encourage parent involvement in their children’s learning.
- Safeguarding:Share responsibility for the safety, health, and welfare of children at all times.
Requirements
- Qualifications:NNEB/CACHE Level 3 or NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education (Essential).
- Education:GCSE Grade A*-C in English and Maths or equivalent (Essential).
- Experience:At least 2 years of experience working with children aged 0-4 (Essential) and experience with children with special needs (Essential).
- Skills:Excellent communication, ICT competency (Microsoft and Apple systems), and the ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment.
- Compliance:An up-to-date enhanced DBS disclosure is required.
How to Apply
To discuss the role or arrange a visit, please contactChloe Foulgerathr@opossumed.org.
Closing Date:28.06.26Interview Date:06.07.26
Note:Only applications submitted on the school's official application form will be considered.
What the school offers its staff
The Opossum Federation is a federation of 4 schools—including Newport, Dawlish, Oakhill, and Thorpe Hall Primary Schools—that places a high premium on staff development and a sustainable work-life balance. By joining the Federation, staff become part of a collaborative learning community that focuses on "Enriching lives, unleashing possibilities, and building futures."
What Our Staff Say
Dawlish Primary School: "I thoroughly enjoy working at Dawlish! I feel consistently supported, challenged and developed in my work and am positive about the impact our school/federation collectively makes for pupils."
Oakhill Primary School: "Overall I have really enjoyed my time at this school, the community spirit has been welcoming and I have appreciated the value of working in a smaller school where there is a big sense of support for each other amongst the staff. The schools values and ethos are clearly represented by the whole team, and it is clear to me that everyone enjoys being here."
Professional Development (CPD)
The Federation is widely recognised for its "Pathway to Success" model, ensuring every staff member has a clear route for career progression.
Bespoke CPD Programmes: Tailored training that encourages staff to flourish, including access to national programmes and internal consultancy.
ECT Induction: A comprehensive, two-year induction programme for Early Career Teachers (ECTs), featuring an annual conference and mentorship in collaboration with partners like UCL and the Harris Institute.
Leadership Pathways: Opportunities for career progression across the different schools within the Federation, including coaching and mentoring.
Professional Bursaries: Financial support for further professional study (subject to conditions).
Collaborative Planning: Staff work across schools to share resources, subject expertise, and best practices, which significantly enhances professional learning.
Wellbeing & Workload Support
The Federation has been praised by Ofsted for its proactive approach to reducing staff stress and managing workload.
Workload Reduction: A structured, "planned and prepared" curriculum and collaborative planning across the federation are designed to reduce the time spent on individual admin and prep.
Thrive Mental Wellbeing: All staff have access to the Thrive service for 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Confidential support for personal and professional challenges.
Supportive Leadership: A culture where leaders are described as "approachable and helpful," with a genuine commitment to a healthy work-life balance.
Employee Benefits
Beyond the standard competitive salary scales, the Federation offers a range of practical perks:
Cycle to Work Scheme: Tax-free bike purchases to encourage healthy, green commuting.
Modern Technology: Schools are well-resourced with Google for Education integration and dedicated devices for staff.
Welcoming Environment: A diverse and inclusive workplace where staff are treated as "family" in a "warm, caring second home."
Further information about the job
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 job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Thorpe Hall Primary School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 3 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 362 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Thorpe Hall Primary School website
- Email address
- hr@opossumed.org
- Phone number
- 02085274062
Arranging a visit to Thorpe Hall Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hr@opossumed.org.
School location
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