EYFS Practitioner - maternity cover
Ditchling St Margaret's Church of England Primary School, Ditchling, East Sussex, BN6 8TUThis job expired on 6 March 2026 – see similar jobs
Start date details
Easter term
Closing date
6 March 2026 at 9am
Date listed
23 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5 hours per week Monday - Friday
Contract type
- Fixed term - 1 year - Maternity or parental leave cover
Full-time equivalent salary
- £25,185
What skills and experience we're looking for
Qualifications and training:
GCSE or equivalent level, including at least a Grade 4 (previously Grade C) in English and maths
First-aid training, or willingness to complete it
Experience:
Experience working in a school environment or other educational setting
Experience working with children / young people
Experience planning and delivering learning activities
Skills and knowledge:
Good literacy and numeracy skills
Excellent understanding of EYFS
Excellent understanding of phonics ideally with Read, Write, Inc
Good organisational skills
Ability to build effective working relationships with pupils and adults
Skills and expertise in understanding the needs of all pupils
Knowledge of how to help adapt and deliver support to meet individual needs
Subject and curriculum knowledge relevant to the role, and ability to apply this effectively in supporting teachers and pupils
Excellent verbal communication skills
Active listening skills
The ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Knowledge of guidance and requirements around safeguarding children
Good ICT skills, particularly using ICT to support learning
Understanding of roles and responsibilities within the classroom and whole school context
Personal qualities:
Enjoyment of working with children
Sensitivity and understanding, to help build good relationships with pupils
A commitment to getting the best outcomes for all pupils, and promoting the ethos and values of the school
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times
Commitment to safeguarding pupil’s wellbeing and equality
Resilient, positive, forward looking and enthusiastic about making a difference
Capacity to inspire, motivate and challenge children and young people
What the school offers its staff
We can offer you:
- children that are enthusiastic and eager to learn
- a strong, supportive and committed staff team
- opportunities to develop your professional skills
- engaged parents and a thriving village community
- a happy workplace with friendly, supportive colleagues
Further information about the job
Main purpose
The Practitioner will:
Work with the class teacher to raise the learning and attainment of EYFS pupils
Promote pupils’ independence, self-esteem and social inclusion
Give support to pupils, individually or in groups, so they can access the curriculum, take part in learning, and experience a sense of achievement
Duties and responsibilities
Teaching and learning
Demonstrate an informed and efficient approach to teaching and learning by adopting relevant strategies to support the work of the teacher and increase achievement of all pupils including, where appropriate, those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Promote, support and facilitate inclusion by encouraging participation of all pupils in learning and extracurricular activities
Plan and run intervention groups with support from the class teacher
Support the teaching of a broad and balanced curriculum aimed at pupils achieving their full potential in all areas of learning
Use effective behaviour management strategies consistently in line with the school’s policy and procedures
Support class teachers with maintaining good order and discipline among pupils, managing behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
Organise and manage teaching space and resources to help maintain a stimulating and safe learning environment, inside and outside.
Observe pupil performance and pass observations on to the class teacher
Supervise a class if the teacher is temporarily unavailable
Use ICT skills to advance pupils’ learning
Undertake any other relevant duties given by the class teacher
Planning
Contribute to effective assessment and planning by supporting the monitoring, recording and reporting of pupil performance and progress as appropriate to the level of the role
Read and understand lesson plans shared prior to lessons, if available
Prepare the EYFS environment for lessons
Working with staff, parents/carers and relevant professionals
Communicate effectively with other staff members and pupils, and with parents and carers under the direction of the class teacher
Communicate their knowledge and understanding of pupils to other school staff and education, health and social care professionals, so that informed decision making can take place on intervention and provision
Contribute to meetings with parents and carers by providing feedback on pupil progress, attainment and barriers to learning, as directed by teachers
With the class teacher, keep other professionals accurately informed of performance and progress, or concerns they may have about the pupils they work with
Understand their role in order to be able to work collaboratively with classroom teachers and other colleagues, including specialist advisory teachers
Collaborate and work with colleagues and other relevant professionals within and beyond the school
Develop effective professional relationships with colleagues
Health and safety
Promote the safety and wellbeing of pupils, and help to safeguard pupils’ wellbeing by following the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and our school’s child protection policy
Look after children who are upset or have had accidents
Professional development
Help keep their own knowledge and understanding relevant and up-to-date by reflecting on their own practice, liaising with school leaders, and identifying relevant professional development to improve personal effectiveness
Take opportunities to build the appropriate skills, qualifications, and/or experience needed for the role, with support from the school
Take part in the school’s appraisal procedures
Safeguarding
Work in line with statutory safeguarding guidance (e.g. Keeping Children Safe in Education, Prevent) and our safeguarding and child protection policies
Promote the safeguarding of all pupils in the school
The Early Years’ Practitioner will be required to follow school policies and the staff code of conduct.
Please note, this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the practitioner will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher or line manager.
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.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Ditchling St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
- School type
- Academy, Church of England, ages 2 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 224 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- office@ditchlingsch.co.uk
- Phone number
- 01273 844130
Our community is built on enthusiastic learners, committed staff, supportive parents and governors. In December 2017 we were judged Good by OFSTED, with Outstanding for Personal development, behaviour and welfare. Ditchling (St Margaret's) C.E. Primary and Nursery School is a village primary with 207 children on roll, aged 2 - 11 years, currently organised across 6 classes plus nursery.
Arranging a visit to Ditchling St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email office@ditchlingsch.co.uk.
School location
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