We are seeking to recruit a founding Head of Early Years to establish our new Early Years Department. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for an exceptional candidate to positively impact the future of the School, through leading on all aspects of the Early Years, including curriculum design, curation of resources, planning and assessment. The successful candidate would have the academic year 2025 – 2026 to establish these practices and assist with staff and pupil recruitment, ahead of our new Co-Ed Pre-Prep opening formally in September 2026. The successful candidate will also have a key role in designing the curriculum and resources for Year 1 and Year 2 and will also be the responsible for safeguarding in EYFS.

Our new Early Years Department will cultivate a love of learning, both through formal and child-initiated activities, and there will be plenty of time for opportunities to explore the outdoors, both on our new play balcony and on Vincent Square, our 13-acre private playing field. High quality adult interactions will prepare our children for a stimulating and world-class education in Year 1 and beyond.

Main Responsibilities:

Purpose of the Job

• Lead our Early Years Team, promoting effective teaching and learning and supporting the planning and implementation of activities with individual or groups of children;
• To ensure all Early Years children are offered a safe, secure, caring and supportive environment to provide a safe, happy and stimulating learning environment, providing opportunities to foster the pupils’ growth and development within the Reception classes

Teaching and Learning

• Create and develop the new EY curriculum, and begin to establish the framework for Years 1 and 2, in close collaboration with Heads of Department and the Senior Management Team, to ensure that it prepares children optimally for their future learning at Westminster Under School in Year 3 and beyond.
• Ensure the highest standards of achievement for EY children through a process of effective monitoring and tracking progress, as well as reviewing teaching and learning outcomes with formative assessment
• Demonstrate a commitment to CPD for staff, supporting development plans and maintaining best practice, as well as keeping staff abreast of new curriculum initiatives and relevant research
• Prepare for inspections and oversee ‘self-evaluation’ plans for the department
• Implement the EY assessment policy, including the coordination of assessment and testing, and the collation and analysis of results
• Accountable for the parent consultation schedule and report writing a regular flow of meaningful communication between home and school
• Ensure that parents are given regular information about the school curriculum, the progress of their children and other matters affecting the Pre-Prep and Nursery
• Demonstrate high quality teaching on a reduced timetable, exemplifying best classroom practice
• Implement and monitor planning and teaching methods in order to ensure that individual pupil needs are met, and working with the SENDCO in this regard
• Liaise with Heads of Department to ensure continuity, progression, and links in the curriculum, from EY and KS1 up to KS2 and KS3
• Attend and actively participate in whole school training sessions

Pastoral Support and Welfare

• Greet pupils each morning on entry to the School and take an active interest in their wellbeing.
• Respond to events as needed with bespoke pastoral support for individuals, groups and whole year group issues
• Oversee the School day for Reception pupils, checking supervision throughout the day and at the end of the day for dismissal
• Liaise with the Head of Learning Development, Assistant Master, Pastoral and the School Counsellor as appropriate regarding Reception pupils, making referrals as necessary
• Run regular year group and Pre-Prep assemblies, with form teachers as appropriate
• Liaise with the Assistant Master, Pastoral regarding any actions emanating from School Council meetings
• Monitor pupils’ punctuality and attendance on a half-termly basis and follow up where necessary, in collaboration with the Deputy Master
• Support and monitor the settling in of new pupils
• Prepare for and fully support the integration of girls into Reception, including participation in relevant working groups

Behaviour

• Be the Safeguarding Lead for EYFS, working with the Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Liaise with the form teachers and deal with any incidents which take place in line with the School’s behaviour, pastoral and safeguarding policies
• Log any behaviours of concern, notes, parental information and any follow-up actions on WUSMIS, ‘closing off’ any open tickets
• Liaise with Heads of Department, the Assistant Master, Pastoral and other members of staff as appropriate, to ensure the welfare of pupils within EYFS
• Take the lead with behaviour interventions as appropriate

Leadership

• Assist in the recruitment of staff within the EY department and Pre-Prep
• Line manage staff within the EYFS department
• Lead EY Team meetings and whole school training, where appropriate
• Ensure the expected standard of pupil behaviour is clearly embedded into routines and managed in line with the wider School policy
• Advise and support staff when dealing with matters involving parents, pupils or colleagues
• Build and nurture positive relationships with parents
• Support the delivery of key school events such as parent consultation evenings, open mornings, information evenings and parent workshops
• Oversee the transition of children to Year 1, supporting both children and parents
• Report to and attend Governing Body meetings when requested
• Assist with admissions of children into the department in conjunction with the registrar
• Form and develop close relationships with feeder nurseries
• Develop opportunities to raise the profile and enhance the reputation of the Pre-Prep
• Support partnership work with the local community and schools as well as other independent schools within the IAPS cluster
• Hold regular supervision meetings with the EY team members

Management

• Liaise with Assistant Master, Academic in the organisation and planning of the 4+ entry process in line with the School’s Admissions Policy
• Run the testing and call-backs for the 4+ entry process ensuring the school makes a great impression on potential students and their families
• Co-ordinate and be present during the 4+ Welcome Evenings and Parents’ Evenings
• Ensure the smooth running of the EY on a day-to-day basis and have oversight of special occasions and events
• Create and update Early Years Policies and Risk Assessments, in collaboration with SMT
• Work closely with the Head of Learning Development to provide the best possible provision for pupils with specific additional requirements
• Oversee the tracking and monitoring of pupils in EY
• Ensure that the Department is fully and appropriately resourced

Whilst every effort has been taken to provide a comprehensive list of responsibilities, the post holder may be asked to complete other duties which could be considered relevant to the role, as directed by the Master.

Ideal Candidate:

Please refer the below (attached) person specification.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Westminster Under School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Package Description:

Required for: September 2025

Location: Vincent Square - Westminster Under School

Contract: full-time, permanent

Salary: Westminster Under School has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who are short-listed.

There is also an associated responsibility allowance with this role.

The deadline for applications is midday on Friday 25th October 2024. Longlist interviews will take place w/c 11th November.