KS2 class teacher

The headteacher and senior leadership team are looking to appoint a full-time KS2 class teacher from September 2026.  The year group is likely to be lower key stage 2.  We welcome applications from Early Career Teachers and experienced teachers seeking middle leader opportunities.  Ightham Primary School is a fantastic school to start your teaching career, or to further develop it and move into middle leadership roles.   For experienced teachers who apply and who are required to provide contractual notice by 31st May, we can accommodate interviews straight after half term and can discuss notice periods at interview.

Ightham Primary School is a happy and friendly village primary school with a real family atmosphere.  We are a one form entry primary school, with seven classrooms, an ICT Suite, library, hall with fixed apparatus, and designated gardening area. We are fortunate to be situated within the second largest woodland primary school setting in Kent and have three playgrounds.   We are proud to be part of the local Sevenoaks partnership working with other schools and the wider Sevenoaks community, providing a range of extra curricular opportunities to our pupils, beyond the classroom.

Ightham Primary School is part of The Pioneer Academy Trust which is an academy trust with schools across London and the South East.  At The Pioneer Academy, we put children first, pioneering excellence and championing each and every child.  All our schools, ranging from small infant schools to large primary schools, work collaboratively, sharing resources and expertise.   Find out more on our website https://ightham.kent.sch.uk/ 

At The Pioneer Academy, we take the wellbeing and mental health of our staff seriously which is why we are committed to regular reviews of staff well-being and reducing staff workload. We create bespoke career pathways for every member of staff, identifying and growing talent, with outstanding professional development opportunities at every stage of your career.  We also have an Employee Assistance Programme with a range of resources to support wellbeing which is available to all employees and their immediate family members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  

What we offer you:

• A friendly, dedicated staff team who believe in teamwork and building positive relationships across the school, the Trust and in the local community.
• A supportive and collaborative working ethos, including support from the Trust’s Central Executive Team and a range of experts, such as specialists in EYFS, SEND and Phonics.
• A Trust wide curriculum with shared planning and resources, including adaptive teaching tools, to significantly reduce workload for teachers and subject leaders.
• High quality development programme with induction programmes for all new staff.
  Excellent CPD opportunities, including outstanding ECT training and support, subject specific training for all, and access to NPQs.
• Annual conferences with keynote speakers, including experts from the EEF.
• Access to professional coaching beyond your ECT years.
• Termly subject leader forums to increase collaboration and reduce workload.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme including free counselling, integrated GP and nurse services, and access to a range of other wellbeing services such as private physiotherapy,  mindfulness and yoga sessions, bereavement support, menopause support, men’s health support.
• Access to discounted wrap around childcare for staff.
• Free academy-wide social events throughout the year.

If you are interested in applying for the post, please see the Job Description/Person Specification.  To apply for this vacancy, please complete the application form, completing a full education and employment history since leaving school and indicating how you satisfy the criteria set out in the Job Description/Person Specification. Please list your teaching experiences clearly in your application. Previous teaching posts, including any teacher training placements for those recently completing Initial Teacher Training, should be listed in the employment history section of the form, and you should expand on your experiences within your personal statement, articulating the year groups and key stages that you have experiences of teaching in.  Applications should be submitted via email My New Term.  CVs will not be accepted.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a criminal disclosures and declarations form prior to interview. References will be requested for those shortlisted only and prior to interview.  In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 online searches will be completed as part of the due diligence on shortlisted candidates, searching online content that is publicly available for inappropriate online content that may suggest that a shortlisted candidate may not be suitable to work with children, or that may harm the reputation of the school.  If any issues of concern come up in online searches, shortlisted candidates will have an opportunity to address these at interview.   An Enhanced DBS certificate will be required on provisional offer, including a check of the Children’s Barred List.  Further vetting checks, in line with the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 will be completed following a provisional offer of appointment.  Where applicable, if an applicant with a provisional offer of employment has lived and/or worked outside the UK, they will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct or other overseas police check.  Candidates will be required to arrange this themselves if they do not already have the necessary certificate. We recommend that those applicants who have lived and worked abroad read the Gov.uk information ahead of interview to familiarise themselves with the vetting checks that will be required: Criminal Records Checks for applicants who have lived overseas – further information 

The Pioneer Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure and other employment checks. Our Academy Safeguarding Policy is attached for your reference.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE THIS ADVERT EARLY AND SUITABLE CANDIDATES MAY BE INTERVIEWED BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE.