THE KING'S SCHOOL, GLOUCESTER

Job Description
Head of Early Years (HEYFS)

Required: January / Easter 2026
Reporting to: Head of Junior School
Hours: Full Time
Closing date: Tuesday 4th November, 12:00 noon
Interview date: Wednesday 12th November

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an inspiring and experienced Early Years leader to shape the very first stage of our
pupils’ educational journey. As Head of Early Years (HEYFS), you will lead a dynamic, creative and nurturing team at
Little King’s, ensuring that every child experiences a joyful, ambitious and carefully tailored start to school life. With
the autonomy to innovate across the Early Years curriculum and a close connection to the wider school community,
this  role  offers  the  chance  to make  a  profound  and  lasting  impact  on  children’s  learning,  development  and  love  of
discovery.

The Head of Early Years at King's is a key leadership role within the Junior School Leadership Team (JSLT), responsible
for the strategic, academic, and pastoral oversight of Little King's, and plays a critical role in pupil recruitment. This
role reflects the latest UK EYFS Framework, emphasising inclusive, high-quality early education and smooth transitions
into Reception and Year 1.

The School

The King’s School is one of the dozen oldest schools in the country and has a proud heritage dating back to at least
1087, with a re-foundation in 1541. King’s is the Cathedral School in the city of Gloucester, whilst the surrounding
county is home to many excellent grammar and state schools, as well as other independent schools. King’s is held in
high regard amidst this competitive area; our academic, co-curricular and pastoral attainment is second to none. As a
result, the last three ISI reports for King’s have all been classified as ‘excellent’ in every area. Local media brand SoGlos
has awarded King’s the title of ‘Independent School of the Year’ or ‘Highly Commended’ in every one of the last six
years – a feat unmatched by any other local independent school – most recently winning the title in May 2025. Despite
the  multiple  national-scale  challenges  of  recent  years,  King’s  has  seen  its  pupil  roll  growing  steadily  and  parental
satisfaction scoring very highly indeed. With careful investment in the campus and facilities, as well as a continuous
focus on improving teaching and learning and developing our outstanding pastoral care, King’s is now seen as a dynamic,
forward-thinking and impressive place to study and to work.

The Department

Little King’s is a vibrant, warm, and purposeful Early Years setting nestled within The King’s School, Gloucester. From
ages three to five, the department is driven by a philosophy that learning should be joyful, stimulating and rooted in
strong, supportive relationships. Staff at Little King’s offer an individualised curriculum, responsive to children’s needs
and interests, where early learning goals are enriched by outdoor opportunities – Forest School, trips to places like
Crickley Hill and the Forest of Dean, and use of the School’s own secret garden and pond.

Parents are partners in the journey: through excellent home-school links, access to online learning journals, and regular,
honest communication, the child’s development is shared and celebrated together. The environment itself feels part
of something bigger – Little King’s is physically within the Junior School, fostering a strong sense of belonging to the
wider King’s community and aiding smooth transitions as children grow.

In Little King’s you’ll find a team of experienced, caring professionals who value resilience, confidence, independence
and  academic,  emotional,  and  social  growth  equally.  The  culture  is  one  of  high  expectations,  mutual  support,  and
creative freedom. If you’re seeking a department you can lead with vision, collaborate with passionate colleagues, and
help lay foundations for lifelong learning, Little King’s offers just that.

Main Duties

Teaching, Learning and Curriculum:

•

Lead the planning, delivery, and continuous development of the EYFS curriculum in alignment with the latest
UK EYFS Framework;

Perform classroom teacher duties for the Reception year group;

• Champion Early Literacy and Numeracy development through targeted interventions and enrichment activities;
•
• Oversee the delivery of Early Birds and Aftercare for Little King’s pupils;
•

Lead a two-week summer school programme focused on Early Literacy and Numeracy for children preparing
for Reception or Year 1;
•
Ensure continuity and progression between EYFS and KS1 through regular liaison and curriculum alignment;
• Create and manage the timetable for Little King's, ensuring balanced coverage of all EYFS areas of learning;
• Coordinate  internal  moderation  and  contribute  to  whole-school  strategic  planning  and  curriculum

development.

Assessment and Pupil Progress:

• Oversee  assessment,  recording,  and  reporting  of  pupil  progress,  including  Early  Learning  Goals  and  BASE

•

assessments;
Lead  regular  self-evaluation  processes  and  contribute  to  whole-school  improvement  initiatives  and  the
strategic development plan.

Inclusion, Safeguarding and Pupil Welfare:

•

Ensure inclusive practice and support for children with diverse needs, acting as SENDCo for Early Years and
liaising with the Junior School SENDCo;

• Monitor  and  promote  children's  welfare,  safeguarding,  mental  health,  and  wellbeing  in  collaboration  with

relevant school leaders.

Leadership and Staff Development:

•
•

Lead the Early Years team, managing deployment of staff to maintain optimal ratios and learning outcomes;
Support staff development through supervision, training, appraisal, and mentoring, including phonics and EYFS
pedagogy.

Pupil Recruitment and Community Engagement:

• Collaborate  with  existing  feeder  nurseries  and  pre-schools,  and  build  connections  with  new  partners  and

•
•

communities to support smooth transitions and recruitment;
Engage actively in marketing initiatives, promoting the School’s ethos, curriculum and achievements;
Foster strong relationships with current and prospective parents to ensure sustained enrolment and a thriving,
engaged Early Years community;

• Maintain clear communication with parents regarding curriculum, events, and pupil progress.

Management, Events and Administration:

• Manage the Little King's budget and contribute to policy updates and handbook revisions;
• Organise and oversee key events such as the Nativity and Summer Production;
• Represent Little King's in meetings with SLT, JSLT, Governors, and external agencies;
• Any other duties that may reasonably be assigned by the Headmaster or Head of Junior School.

Note: This job description may be amended at any time in consultation with the job holder. This job description is illustrative of
the general nature and responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all the activities that the HEYFS will carry out.
The postholder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the level of the role as directed by the Head of Junior
School.

Personal Profile

The  successful candidate will  be  a  qualified teacher (QTS or equivalent)  with substantial experience  in  Early  Years
education. They will demonstrate strong leadership and team management skills, a deep understanding of the EYFS
Framework, and a commitment to inclusive education. The candidate should possess excellent communication skills
with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels, a passion for early childhood development, and the capacity
to inspire and support both staff and pupils. Experience in curriculum development, safeguarding, and working with
children with diverse needs is essential.

Salary

The  King’s  School  offers  its  own  salary  scale,  details  of  which  can  be  discussed  at  interview.  The  salary  will  be
commensurate  with  the  significance  of  this  role  in  a  leading  HMC  school  and  will  depend  on  qualifications  and
experience.

Benefits

• A contributory pension through Aviva APTIS;
• Generous fee remission for children at King’s;
•
Before / After School Care for children at King’s;
• Access to a Doctor for advice and short consultations;
•
Staff Wellbeing Programme;
• Cycle to Work / Car scheme;
•
•

Lunches;
Parking.

Applications

Candidates  should  apply through Tes or by  sending a  completed  School  Application  Form and  Covering Letter to
recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk.  A CV is not required.

Closing  date  for  applications  is  Tuesday  4th  November  at  12:00  noon,  with  interviews  taking  place  on
Wednesday 12th November. However, early applications are encouraged and we reserve the right to make an
appointment prior to the published closing date, if appropriate.

Candidates are advised that the School is on half-term break between 17th October and 3rd November; applications
received during this time may experience a delay in their acknowledgement.

further

For
recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk.

information,  please  contact  Mr  Harry  Fuller  on  01452  337337  or  via  email

to

The  King’s  School,  Gloucester  is  committed  to  safeguarding  and  promoting  the  welfare  of  children  and  expects  all  staff  and  volunteers  to  share  this
commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references from previous employers and eligibility to work in the
UK. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including a prohibition from teaching check (where appropriate)
and, in line with KCSIE, an online search for shortlisted candidates only – this will consist of a Google and social media search. The search is looking for
anything that calls into question the candidate’s suitability to work with children, or could cause harm to the reputation of The King’s School, Gloucester. Any
information discovered will be shared with members of the interviewing panel prior to interview. Interviews will be conducted in person, and they will explore
candidates’ suitability to work with children. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013, 2020 and
2023), which would otherwise mean that certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and would not need to be disclosed to employers, and
if they were disclosed, employers could not take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the
Ministry of Justice website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974