Head of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)/Reception Class Teacher
Rudyard Kipling Primary School & Nursery, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 6RH27 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
27 April 2026 at 9am
Date listed
31 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
- Head of year or phase
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £32,916 – £51,048 + £3527 (TLR 2a)
Pay scale
- TMS to UPS
Additional allowances
TLR2a
What skills and experience we're looking for
Due to the well-earned retirement of our highly respected current EYFS lead, the Governors of Rudyard Kipling Primary School and Nursery wish to appoint an exceptional, passionate and experienced Early Years Foundation Stage Lead. They will also teach one of our two Reception classes. This is a key leadership role for a passionate educator with a strong track record in Early Years. The successful candidate will possess the clarity, expertise and presence to drive high standards, further strengthen pedagogy and ensure a consistently excellent education for every child from age 2-5.
As EYFS Lead, you will:
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across our Nursery and both Reception classes, ensuring our curriculum and pedagogy align with the DfE’s ‘Strong Foundations’ principles
- Teach one of our two Reception classes, modelling exemplary practice and setting the standard for the phase
- Champion early language, reading and maths, alongside purposeful play, as the foundations for long term success
- Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of EYFS pedagogy, provision and assessment
- Build positive relationships with families, modelling clear communication and professionalism
- Lead the design, sequencing and progression of the EYFS curriculum, ensuring it reflects the ‘Strong Foundations’ focus on early language, early reading, early maths and high-quality interactions
- Lead and coach staff across the phase building a strong, reflective and high performing team
- Oversee the quality of the indoor and outdoor learning environments, ensuring that they reflect our school’s outdoors ethos and the expectations set out on ‘Strong Foundations’
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement across the phase, using evidence, data and professional insight to refine practice
- Further strengthen transitions between Nursery and Reception, ensuring every child’s needs are met
- Ensure totally inclusive practice that identifies needs early and removes barriers for all learners
- Be a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, contributing to whole-school strategy and decision making
You will have dedicated leadership time alongside your class teaching commitment.
You will be:
- An experienced and exceptional EYFS teacher with a proven track record of leading improvement
- Organised, reflective and able to balance strategic leadership with operational demands
- Highly knowledgeable about the DfE’s ‘Strong Foundations’ guidance and able to translate it into high quality day-to-day practice
- Skilled at coaching, mentoring and developing staff at different stages of their career
- Fully committed to inclusive practice, early intervention and removing barriers
- Resilient with a happy and positive mindset
- Keen to contribute to the wider life and ethos of our school where ‘no child is left behind’
What the school offers its staff
We can offer you:
- A friendly, dedicated and collaborative staff team committed to making a difference
- A supportive induction process to help you settle in confidently
- A vibrant and welcoming EYFS setting, enriched by an inviting outdoor environment that inspires learning and exploration.
- Professional trust, collaboration and ongoing development
- A nurturing school culture where care and support are at the heart of everything we do
- Wonderful children who are proud, respectful and eager to learn
- Access to exceptional school grounds, including our own magical Forest School
Further information about the job
Our school is committed to inclusion and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The school expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Please note that we do not accept a Curriculum Vitae as a form of application. The job pack and application form are available to download from http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/jobs/council-jobs. Alternatively, please email jamesstanley@kipling.brighton-hove.sch.uk
Our early years provision is already a strength of the school, and we are committed to further strengthening it under the leadership of the right candidate.
Visits to the school are strongly encouraged. Please contact the School Office (01273 303328) to book a place on a tour.
Tour dates and times: Thursday 16th April at 4:40pm and Monday 20th April at 11:00am and 4:00pm
Closing date: Monday 27th April 2026 at 9:00am
Interview date: Tuesday 5th May 2026
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 Rudyard Kipling Primary School & Nursery
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 2 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 336 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Rudyard Kipling Primary School & Nursery website
- Email address
- jamesstanley@kipling.brighton-hove.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01273303328
We are a two-form entry primary school in Woodingdean, Brighton, with a friendly, diverse, and inclusive community where nurture is at the heart of everything we do.
Arranging a visit to Rudyard Kipling Primary School & Nursery
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email jamesstanley@kipling.brighton-hove.sch.uk.
School location
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