Early Years Phase Lead - Ark Dickens Primary Academy in Portsmouth

Start date: September 2026

Are you ready to lead and inspire early years education in a vibrant, inclusive school community? Do you want to work with a committed SLT to raise standards and champion early years excellence? If so, we want to hear from you! We are now looking for a passionate and experienced EYFS Lead to join our team and help shape the future of early years provision, ensuring every child gets the best possible start.

Key responsibilities:

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of early years pedagogy and child development.
• Lead with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to inclusive practice.
• Model high expectations for staff and pupils, promoting a culture of excellence and care.
• Provide strong leadership and management across EYFS, ensuring high standards of achievement and wellbeing.
• Foster a nurturing, positive learning environment that supports effective interactions and relationships.
• Support and develop staff through coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of School and SLT to implement strategic priorities within EYFS.
• Ensure safeguarding procedures are robust and consistently applied.
• Monitor and evaluate EYFS provision, using data to inform planning and improvement.
• Contribute to whole-school improvement through innovation and reflective practice.
• Build strong partnerships with families and external agencies to support pupil outcomes.
• Share best practice across the academy and wider trust to drive continuous improvement.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity, please contact info@arkdickensprimary.org or call 02392 826514. Please note we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.

Benefits:

• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
• Twice as many training days as standard.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers.
• Interest-free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
• Gym discounts – offering up to 40%.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

Find out more about the benefits of working for Ark at this link.

About Us:

Ark Dickens is a lovely school in the heart of Portsmouth. We are a two-form entry primary academy, which became part of the Ark network in September 2014. We are a school with high aspirations and expectations to ‘Be Our Best’ in all that we do. This reflects our ethos of ensuring every child is provided with every opportunity to reach their potential. At our school, staff wellbeing and support is of paramount importance to us. Staff are given countless opportunities as well as tailored training geared towards individual professional development. We offer a collaborative setting ensuring that staff receive responsive feedback and colleagues are encouraged to learn from one another. Hard work will never go unappreciated at Ark Dickens, where there is a spirit of recognition and reward. Our school is a rewarding and fulfilling place to work. Visit arkdickensprimary.org/jobs to learn more about us and see our current vacancies.

You can apply for this vacancy by clicking here.

Diversity and inclusion:

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Safeguarding statement:

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.