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EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONER
REQUIRED FOR JANUARY 2026

WELCOME

Thank you for considering the role of Early Years

Practitioner at Moulsford Prep School.

Moulsford is a thriving independent day & boarding school of 330 pupils aged 3

to  13  years,  set  in  tranquil  and  picturesque  grounds  on  the  banks  of  the  River

Thames in South Oxfordshire.

At Moulsford, the message is straightforward. We want our pupils to receive the

broadest  possible  education,  while  remembering  that  they  will  learn  best  when

happy and settled.

Founded in 1961, this is a particularly exciting period in Moulsford’s

development with the School in the process of going co-educational. At present

girls and boys are in Year 3 and below, and the school will be fully co-

educational by 2030.

Moulsford offers a fantastic working environment, placing great emphasis on staff

wellbeing and morale, as well as having a culture of career development.

I look forward to welcoming you to Moulsford soon.

Ben Beardmore-Gray

Headmaster

THE SCHOOL

Moulsford Prep School is situated on an idyllic

30-acre site on the banks of the River Thames.

Our Prep School (age 7 – 13) traditionally delivered an outstanding

all-boys education, and is now moving towards full co-education by

There are currently 330 pupils at the School from Pre-School to

Year 8.  Moulsford is predominantly a day school, but has a

boarding house for up to 35 pupils; mainly in Years 6, 7 and 8.  The

School week runs from Monday to Friday, and there are also a

number of sports fixtures which take place on Saturdays. There is

neither Saturday School nor boarding on Friday night or at the

accepting girls into Year 3 from September 2025, who will continue

through the school, until the whole school is fully co-educational by

weekend.

2030. Our Pre-Prep (age 3 – 7) became co-educational in

September 2023.

Moulsford aims to nurture the whole child, providing opportunities

for each individual to develop their talents and abilities.  The culture

is one of achievement within a vibrant learning environment,

ensuring positive reinforcement at all levels of ability.  The School

has high academic expectations of the pupils and excellent teaching

ensures that they move to their Senior Schools extremely well

prepared.

Great emphasis is also placed on the extra-curricular side of School

life. Forest School, Sport, Music, Art, Drama and river-based

activities play a prominent role in the pupils’ timetable.  Sport at

Moulsford is particularly strong with the major sports being rugby,

football, hockey, cricket and netball.

From Moulsford, the children go on to a wide variety of senior

schools via Common Entrance or Scholarship at 13+.  These

include: Abingdon, Radley, Marlborough, Wellington, Magdalen

College School (Oxford), Eton, St Edward’s (Oxford), Pangbourne,

Harrow, Shiplake, and The Oratory. This list will be expanded to

include a range of girls’ schools, as girls progress through the school.

The Headmaster is Ben Beardmore-Gray who took up post in

September 2014.  Ben was previously Headmaster of Mowden Hall

(Northumberland), Deputy Head of Farleigh (Hampshire), and

started his teaching career at Ludgrove (Berkshire).  He is also on

the Council of Cheltenham College, District Representative for

District 10 of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), a

Director of the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) and

is a mentor and coach to other Heads.

THE ROLE

EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONER

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed Term from 5th January 2026 – 30th June 2026

LINE MANAGER: Head of Pre-Prep

HOURS OF WORK: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm (one evening until 5:30pm per week)

SALARY: Dependent on experience & qualifications, commensurate with industry standards

This is an exciting opportunity to join our vibrant Pre-School team within an outstanding Prep School.
Our Pre-School opened in September  2022  to both girls and boys  from  aged 3 and is  housed in our
stunning new purpose-built Pre-Prep building situated just across the road from the Prep School.

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Early Years Practitioner to join us in providing a safe,
nurturing, and stimulating environment where children aged 3–4 years can thrive and develop.

There is currently one Pre-School class therefore the successful candidate will work very closely with our
other Early Years Practitioner to provide a caring and welcoming introduction to the School.  The Pre-
School follows the EYFS curriculum.

As well as learning the aim of the role is to develop the children’s personal and social skills, ensuring that
they are ready for Reception at the end of the year, and embedding Moulsford’s values of courage,
kindness and curiosity.

The successful candidate must be qualified to Level 6 or equivalent in Early Years, have a strong
understanding of the EYFS framework and the ability to create a warm, supportive, and engaging learning
environment.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

TEACHING:

PASTORAL DUTIES

OTHER:

• Encourage the educational and social development of pupils in accordance

• Have a commitment to the importance of promoting and safeguarding pupils’

with the EYFS curriculum in partnership with the Early Years team

welfare

• Operate at all times within the stated policies and practices of the school

• Assist the Early Years team in creating, preparing and implementing

individualised, developmentally appropriate activities

• Provide support for individual children inside and outside the classroom to

enable them to fully participate in activities

• Support children with emotional or behavioural problems and help

develop their social skills

• Help children develop curiosity and knowledge through experimentation

and play

• Look for opportunities during interactions to extend learning and act on

them

•

•

•

•

Promote the general progress and well-being of individual pupils

Liaise with appropriate staff to ensure the correct implementation of the
school’s pastoral systems

Alert appropriate staff to problems experienced by pupils and make
recommendations as to how these may be resolved

Provide a safe, caring and supportive environment within the classroom

• Observe the children at work, log outcomes of observations and work

with small groups supervising practical activities

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

• Build and maintain relationships with parents

• Ensure the health and safety of children and staff is maintained during all

activities, both inside and outside the setting

•

•

Attend staff meetings

Participate in the School’s Continual Professional Development arrangements
including INSET training

• Ensure that children are ready for Reception

• Participate in parent’s evenings

ADMINISTRATION:

• Maintain children's records

• Prepare and present displays of children's work

• Preparing materials and arranging the physical environment according to
principles of child development and the individual strengths, interests and
educational goals of each child

• Photocopying and other tasks in order to support teaching

• Undertake other duties from time to time as required

• Marking class attendance registers in accordance with the procedures in the Staff

Handbook;

•

•

•

•

•

•

Communicate and consult with parents of pupils and any such persons or bodies
outside the school as may be approved;

Establish effective working relationships and set a good example through personal
and professional conduct;

Contribute to the promotion of positive relationships and a positive ethos within
the classroom

Take part in marketing and liaison activities such as Open Days

Provide cover work in the event of staff absence

Supervise children during breaks

NB The successful candidate should be flexible in their approach to duties.  The
above is not an exhaustive list and you may be required to undertake other
duties as required by your Line Manager or the Head.  The job description may
be amended to meet the needs of the School, in consultation with the post
holder.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

EXPERIENCE &
KNOWLEDGE

• Previous experience of working with young children

• Excellent knowledge of the EYFS curriculum

• Previous experience in a Pre-School classroom

MEASURED BY

Application & Interview

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Excellent communication and listening skills

• Excellent ICT skills, preferably using Tapestry, although training will be given

Application & Interview

• Good organisational skills

• Keen sense of humour

• The ability to create a warm, supportive, and engaging learning environment

• The ability to inspire and enthuse young children by using resources imaginatively

• Energy, resourcefulness, responsibility, patience and a caring nature

• An understanding of the needs and feelings of children

• Ability to work independently with children, as well as being able to work in the wider school team

• Ability to connect with parents

EDUCATION &
QUALIFICATIONS

• Level 6 qualification in Early Years or equivalent

OTHER

• A professional, flexible and proactive attitude

• Supportive of Moulsford’s values of Kindness, Courage and Curiosity and the School’s strategic

objectives

• Flexibility to work calmly and reliably in a busy School, both in a team and independently, with

energy, initiative and cheerful enthusiasm

• Ability and willingness to go beyond own responsibilities to help others at busy times and to

work outside normal hours as required, e.g Open Events etc

• As with all staff, responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of any children and

young persons with whom they come into contact in accordance with School policies

Application

Interview

STAFF BENEFITS AT MOULSFORD

LOCATION

THE BARN FITNESS CLUB

Moulsford is situated on the banks of the Thames between

The School offers complimentary full gym membership for

the market towns of Wallingford and Pangbourne, in a

all employees at The Barn Fitness Club in Cholsey.

designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Oxford,

Reading and Henley are located 18, 16 and 15 miles away

respectively.  There are direct trains to London Paddington

from Didcot (8 miles), and a ‘stopping’ service from Cholsey

(1 mile).  The School has roughly 100m of river frontage

and staff are able to use the watersports facilities outside of

school hours.

PENSION

WELLBEING

Great emphasis is placed on staff wellbeing and morale and

we firmly believe in creating the right work/life balance for

all at Moulsford.  Many staff are trained in Mental Health

First Aid and a culture of mutual support for colleagues is

encouraged and fostered.  Social events for staff take place

throughout the year.

All employees are eligible to join a staff pension scheme.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT

IN-HOUSE CATERING

All employees are encouraged and supported with access

Making sure our students and staff are well fuelled for a busy

to regular Continuing Professional Development.

day at school is key and food is very important at

Moulsford.  Our in-house catering team ensures that staff

enjoy complimentary good quality, healthy and balanced

meals every day.  They also cater for all types of diets and

allergens.

APPOINTMENT
PROCEDURE AND KEY DATES

Applicants should submit the
following:

• A one-page letter of application.

• Completed Application Form. CVs are
welcome alongside the Application
Form.

• References will be taken prior to

interview unless indicated otherwise.

To download a copy of our application form,
please click here.

KEY DATES

Closing Date for applications is
Sunday 2nd November 2025

Initial Interviews will take place week
commencing 10th November 2025

Moulsford is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share
this commitment.  Offers of appointment are subject to the completion
of pre-employment checks including an Enhanced DBS check and
satisfactory references.

Registered Charity No 309643

Moulsford Prep School, Moulsford-on-Thames, Oxfordshire OX10 9HR
01491 651438  •  mpshr@moulsford.com  •  www.moulsford.com

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