Early Years Teacher - Full-time/Part-time

Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School, Tunbridge Wells

• Ref:KCC886-2490-249T
• Posted:20/12/2025
• Pay:MPS
• Start Date:Immediate
• App Close Date:16/01/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:22nd January 2026

Advert

Due to increased pupil numbers in our Early Years Unit, we are now looking to recruit an Early Years teacher who is passionate about teaching the youngest members of our school.

Our Early Years Unit includes a nursery, with children starting from 3-years old, and a reception. Our current provision provides a nurturing environment, focusing on play-based learning and opportunities for creativity throughout. We use the Read Write Inc phonics scheme to teach phonics, starting in the summer term for nursery children. We have embedded the Early Years Framework in our curriculum and we use guidance set out in the Development Matters programme to support our planning within topic based units. We have a large Early Years stand alone building and large dedicated outdoor area; as well as two large indoor learning areas, we also have a separate Early Years sensory room, hard and soft outdoor areas and an allottment.

Our Early Years Team have strong links with our parents, and the relationship plays an important role in how we work together to ensure all our children love coming to school to learn, explore and have fun.

As our pupil numbers grow, we are looking to expand our team, which already includes experienced support staff with level 3 and level 5 qualifications.

We are looking to recruit an Early Years teacher who is passionate about teaching, works collaboratively within a team, and is full of ideas for excellent learning opportunities. Qualities therefore will include:

• An excellent, reflective practitioner with a passion for teaching and learning.
• a practitioner who is skilled in the teaching of phonics (we use RWI)
• a practitioner with a good understanding of the Early Years Framework and Curriculum
• Someone with a sense of humour and lots of energy.
• Someone with commitment, who is innovative and not afraid to bring new ideas for excellence.
• Someone who has excellent organisation and communication skills.

This role is full or part-time (a minimum of 3-days per week) starting preferably in the spring term 2026. Please see our school website www.bishops-down.kent.sch.uk and contact Mrs Jo Sheldon to arrange a visit to our school for a tour, and to meet staff. office@bishops-down.kent.sch.uk

Information about the school

Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School is an inclusive, non-denominational school working in partnership with the Tunbridge Wells Primary Schools Collaborative Trust. The school was built in 1967 and is situated on the western edge of Tunbridge Wells, with extensive grounds, including two fields, a pond, a hard surface playground and woodland area.

We have over 200 pupils in the primary and nursery classes. We are an innovative school with an Art Studio, a Forest School led by the Kent Hight Weald Partnership and strong links with a number of local secondary schools to extend our science and MFL provision. We also have a Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) designation for 7 children with physical disabilities and 1:1 dedicated trained staff work with these children. Our school has a strong commitment to pastoral care, and our curriculum is packed with exciting learning opportunities, such London trips, sports events and leadership programs that help our children to enjoy their learning and to thrive at school.

We run Wrap Around Care at the beginning of the day and after school for our school and nursery children and during the holidays we run a holiday club for all children in the community.

All those in our school community strive to provide an environment where children are actively encouraged to reach their full potential in all areas of development. Our teachers believe that every child matters and they work to provide high quality teaching which meets the needs of every pupil. As a result, our children become curious, engaged students, who listen and question well and learn in an environment of kindness, responsibility and respect. These values are underpinned in the school's ASPIRE values.

Please visit our school website at www.bishops-down.kent.sch.uk

Our staff have high expectations of pupils, in their work and in the way they interact with others. Simply put, we expect children to work to the best of their ability, as well as behave in a polite and responsible manner at all times. This in turn creates a nurturing environment for all and encourages a love of learning.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Mrs Jo Sheldon, Personnel Officer
• Address:Rydal Drive, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9SU
• Telephone: (01892) 520114
• Email: office@bishops-down.kent.sch.uk

Fax: (01892) 619130

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Job Description
• Personal Specification
• Safer Recruitment Policy
• Behaviour Policy