Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Leader & Nursery Teacher in Leeds

An Exceptional Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Early Education of Our Youngest Learners

Start Date: January 2027 (or ASAP)

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL & COMMUNITY

Robin Hood Primary School is a warm, vibrant two-form entry primary school (Ages 3-11) proud of our 'purposeful environment and amazing children'. Driven by our ambitious CARE curriculum (Citizenship, Aspirational, Resilience, Enquiry), we empower every child to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally from their very first steps in Nursery. As a proud member of the Elevate Learning Federation, our team benefits from rich cross-school collaboration, shared leadership expertise, and outstanding professional growth networks across Leeds.

THE ROLE: STRATEGIC EARLY YEARS LEADERSHIP

Are you an inspiring Early Years practitioner with the vision, passion, and leadership skills to give every child the very best start to their educational journey? As EYFS Leader, you will provide strategic and practical leadership across the phase, ensuring every child receives an engaging, inclusive, and ambitious early education. You will lead and support EYFS teachers and teaching assistants, modelling outstanding classroom practice and developing a culture of collaboration, high expectations, and continuous improvement. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in school improvement, curriculum development, and raising standards while continuing your responsibilities as a lead classroom practitioner.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & STRATEGIC DUTIES

• Lead and Inspire: Set a clear, ambitious vision for EYFS, motivate colleagues, and promote consistently high standards of teaching, learning, and pupil achievement across Nursery and Reception.
• Drive Teaching & Learning: Model outstanding classroom practice, support effective planning, and monitor teaching, assessment, and feedback to secure continuous phase-wide improvement.
• Raise Achievement & Track Progress: Rigorously monitor pupil progress, contribute to strategic target setting, and implement targeted learning strategies that enable every child to reach their full potential.
• Develop & Mentor Staff: Mentor, coach, and support EYFS teachers and teaching assistants, contributing directly to professional development, staff wellbeing, and performance management.
• Lead Curriculum Development: Ensure a rich, engaging, well-sequenced, and play-based EYFS curriculum that meets the diverse learning and developmental needs of all pupils.
• Support Pupils & Families: Promote positive behaviour, high-quality pastoral care, and strong, trusting partnerships with parents, carers, and the wider community.
• Contribute to Whole-School Improvement: Work collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team, colleagues, and governors to shape school development priorities (SDP) and deliver the school's vision.
• Promote Smooth Transitions: Work closely with Key Stage 1 colleagues to ensure seamless continuity, progression, and emotional security as children transition from EYFS into Year 1.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: WHAT YOU WILL BRING

• Qualifications & Experience: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with a strong, proven track record of effective primary/EYFS teaching and evidence of outstanding classroom practice.
• Phase & Team Leadership: Demonstrated experience of leading a team, coaching and mentoring colleagues, and contributing measurably to school development or phase improvement.
• EYFS Expertise: Secure, deep knowledge of EYFS statutory curriculum requirements, baseline assessment, early phonics, language acquisition, and effective early years pedagogy.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire others, lead change, and collaborate effectively under pressure.
• Inclusion & Safeguarding Values: A passionate commitment to inclusion, equality, safeguarding, diversity, and creating a safe, nurturing environment where every child feels valued.

IN RETURN, WHY TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY?

• Key Benefits & Professional Rewards: Make a profound, meaningful difference during the most formative years of children's education.
• Shape and develop an ambitious, engaging, play-based EYFS curriculum across Nursery and Reception.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a dedicated, highly supportive team of EYFS teachers and teaching assistants.
• Contribute directly to wider school leadership, strategic decision-making, and long-term improvement.
• Access tailored federation-wide leadership development, executive coaching, and career growth opportunities.
• Work within a collaborative, friendly school culture with a strong commitment to staff wellbeing and mental health.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.