PART TIME CLASS TEACHER (Maternity leave)
Lorton School, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9UL40 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 June 2026
Closing date
16 March 2026 at 9am
Date listed
3 February 2026
Job details
Job role
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1
Working pattern
- Part time: 0.8 FTE Monday to Thursday with PPA time on Wednesday afternoon
Contract type
- Fixed term - expected to be up to a year - Maternity or parental leave cover
Pay scale
- M1 to M6
What skills and experience we're looking for
Are you committed to ensuring you get the best out of every child? Are you looking for an opportunity to work within a friendly but ambitious small team, with children that are keen to learn, whilst maintaining a work-life balance?
The Local Governing Body of Lorton School invite applications from appropriately qualified teachers for this post, teaching our small reception and Key Stage 1 class, for the second half of the summer term and anticipated to be for one year. The post is 0.8FTE, ideally working Monday to Thursday. This is a fixed-term maternity cover position, expected to run from 1st June 2026 (or possibly 18th May for handover if possible) to May 2027, subject to the postholder's return from maternity leave.
We are looking for:
- An excellent classroom practitioner in EYFS and Key Stage 1 with high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and standards.
- Someone who will work collaboratively with other members of staff, be flexible, well organised and enthusiastic.
- Someone who can work through a child led approach providing an imaginative and exciting curriculum, including continuous provision and outdoor learning, as part of our strong personal development offer.
The successful candidate will:
- have experience of working within EYFS and Key Stage 1 and be ready to lead Early Years and Early Reading in our school (to continue the work of substantive post holder in her absence)
- be able to plan appropriately to meet children’s individual needs in all areas of development and learning
- be well organised with high expectations of pupils’ development and behaviour
- be a committed team member (& ready to lead a small team) who will play an active part in the life of the school and lead by example
- use a child-led approach to create exciting learning opportunities, including within continuous provision and the outdoors
- will continue to engage with families and promote home school links
- support the school’s strong focus on personal development and be willing to be part of the wider school community
- know how to keep our children protected and safe, and could be willing to take on a role as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead in our school (as we recognise our youngest children need the highest level of protection and care).
What the school offers its staff
We can offer you:
- A brilliant opportunity to develop your teaching in a school with a real family feel and with children who are enthusiastic learners
- A committed staff who put our children first and centre
- A supportive parent group (FOLS), Local Governing Body and wider local community
- An opportunity to work within the
supportive network of the Good Shepherd Academy Trust and in a fantastic location in
the Lake District National Park
Further information about the job
Application forms and further details about the post are available from the school website https://www.lorton.cumbria.sch.uk/about-us/vacancies.html (CVs can not be accepted). Visits to the school are encouraged and are welcome by prior arrangement (ideally on 3rd March at 9:30am or 4:30pm or 5th March at 11am) with the Head of School, Olivia Harrison, or Executive Headteacher, Jo Laker, via the school office (manned 8am-12 Mon-Fri) by phone (01900 85919) or email: secretary@lorton.cumbria.sch.uk
Closing date: Monday 16th March (Late applications cannot be considered).
Interviews planned for: Tuesday 24th March
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 Lorton School
- School type
- Academy, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 45 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Lorton School website
- Email address
- secretary@lorton.cumbria.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01900 85919
Lorton Primary School is a small rural school of 45 pupils and is part of the Good Shepherd Trust. The school dates back to the late nineteenth century. Over the years it has been updated, improved and new buildings added. It is located in the heart of the village of Lorton and in one of England’s most beautiful valleys. It serves a wide catchment area from the head of Buttermere to include the whole Lorton Vale and Embleton; some children from Cockermouth attend the school. The majority of children transfer to Cockermouth School for their secondary education and we have well-established links with Cockermouth School.
The Local Governing Body is supportive and involved in the life of the school and are supported by The Good Shepherd Trust. The Good Shepherd Trust oversee the work that we do and all of the schools in the Trust benefit from a wealth of knowledge and expertise and a close working relationship.
Parents are extremely supportive and Friends of Lorton School (FOLS) play a key role and are keen to raise money and help the school in appropriate ways. Funds raised are used to provide many enrichment opportunities for the children.
Our last Ofsted Inspection held in the Summer Term of 2025 was successful and recognised that the school continued to be a ‘good school’. The school has a strong 'personal development' offer including '60 things to do whilst you are at Lorton School' which recognises the unique opportunities the school provides for its pupils.
Arranging a visit to Lorton School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email secretary@lorton.cumbria.sch.uk.
School location
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