Reception Teacher & Early Years Phase Lead in Bishops Stortford

Avanti Meadows Primary School is seeking an experienced and committed Reception Teacher & Early Years Phase Lead to lead our Early Years team and drive high standards across the phase. This is an exciting opportunity for a teacher who is passionate about early education and able to inspire colleagues through excellent classroom practice, effective collaboration and professional development.

Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will play a central role in securing strong outcomes, consistent practice and an exceptional experience for every child. As an excellent classroom practitioner and supportive phase leader, you will help create a nurturing, inclusive and stimulating environment where children feel safe, valued and motivated to learn.

You will lead the development of teaching and learning across the Early Years phase, using assessment, observation and effective practice to ensure every child makes strong progress from their starting point. You will also support and develop colleagues, promote collaboration and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement across the school, with high expectations for pupils’ wellbeing, development and achievement.

School visits are welcomed and encouraged. Please contact the school to arrange a suitable time.

Avanti Meadows is a brand-new primary school in Bishop’s Stortford. Surrounded by fields and new housing estates, the school is a centre for the new community developing in the north of Bishop’s Stortford. The school is rated “good” with “outstanding” in personal development. Avanti Meadows is a non-faith, community school that embraces inclusion and diversity.

Our school is a vibrant, exciting place to be that is open to big ideas and creativity, all with a genuine focus on pupil and staff wellbeing. Our staff are inspired and passionate about their roles, the vision of the school, and providing the most fulfilling learning experience for pupils.

What will you do?

• Lead and manage the Early Years phase, ensuring consistently high-quality teaching, learning, assessment and outcomes for all pupils, with a strong focus on inclusion, progress and attainment.
• Provide effective leadership and support to phase staff, modelling excellent classroom practice, developing colleagues’ teaching, promoting professional development and ensuring consistency in planning, assessment and behaviour approaches.
• Create a safe, nurturing and stimulating learning environment in Reception, maintaining high expectations for behaviour, independence, wellbeing and achievement while safeguarding all children.
• Work collaboratively with the senior leadership team, colleagues, parents and carers, governors, the Avanti Schools Trust and external agencies to promote pupils’ wellbeing, support effective transition and contribute positively to the wider life and ethos of the school.
• Monitor and evaluate standards across the phase through observation, assessment, moderation and data analysis, using evidence to identify priorities, provide appropriate support and drive continuous improvement.

Why should you apply? Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place. You will be working in a fantastic environment, with:

• Great opportunities for professional development
• Teacher pension scheme (subject to eligibility)
• O2 discounts, Specsavers corporate eye test vouchers
• Eligible for NUS Card and CSSC membership
• Well-being programs (retreats, yoga, wellness apps)
• Cycle-to-work Scheme

What are we looking for?

• Qualified to bachelor’s degree level in relevant subject or allied subject QTS qualified
• Ability to influence the quality of teaching and learning.
• Vision aligned with the Avanti Schools Trust’s emphasis on educational excellence coupled with embedded character development and spiritual insight; having high aspirations and high expectations of self and for others.
• Able to work within the framework of the Trust’s Ethos Handbook
• Be able to demonstrate outstanding classroom practice and articulate what constitutes effective teaching and learning within your phase.
• Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all students.

Please view the full Job Description for more information on the responsibilities and essential criteria required for this role.

Further information: Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks. Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.

Diversity and Inclusion: We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here.