The King's School Gloucester - Head of Early Years (HEYFS)

Summary

As HEYFS you will lead a dynamic, creative and nurturing team at Little King’s. With the autonomy to innovate across the Early Years curriculum, this role offers the chance to make a profound and lasting impact on children’s learning and development.

Detail

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;
• Champion Early Literacy and Numeracy development through targeted interventions and enrichment activities;
• Perform classroom teacher duties for the Reception year group;
• 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 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.

For further information, please contact Mr Harry Fuller on 01452 337337 or via email to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk.

Documents

• Application Form - Teaching Role DOCX Document
• King's Recruitment 2025 PDF Document
• Head of Early Years (HEYFS) - October 2025 PDF Document