Senior Learning Associate (Early Years Teacher, Nursery, Reception)

The Role

As a Liberty Woodland Primary School Class Teacher (Senior Learning Associate), you’ll be tasked with providing a high standard of education in our beautiful outdoor school. You will be responsible for a class group of up to 20 children. Your teaching space includes a class den as well as abundant outdoor area to encourage free-flow play as well as focused lessons and learning activities.

You’ll use your existing skills, experience and passion to create projects based on the children’s interests, creating authentic learning experiences with meaningful outcomes.

You will create a nurturing, stimulating and language-rich environment that supports children’s development through play, exploration and meaningful first-hand experiences. You will have a strong understanding of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), enabling you to meet each child where they are and support them to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching

• Plan and deliver a balanced EYFS curriculum through a combination of child-initiated play, adult-led learning and high-quality continuous provision, following the EYFS Framework and Liberty Woodland School curriculum.

• Develop an enabling environment, both indoors and outdoors, that promotes curiosity, independence, creativity and sustained engagement.

• Observe children regularly and use these observations to inform planning, assessment and next steps in learning.

• Support the development of early communication, language, literacy, mathematical understanding and personal, social and emotional development through meaningful experiences.

• Develop cross-curricular projects inspired from children’s interests.

• Assess, monitor, record and report on children's learning and development in line with EYFS requirements, using observations and professional judgement to identify next steps and support progress.

• Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of pupils

• Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils

• Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils

• Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge

Whole-school organisation, strategy and development

• Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of the school’s policies, practices and procedures, so as to support the school’s vision and values

• Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school

• Work with others on curriculum and pupil development to secure co-ordinated outcomes

• Provide cover, in the unforeseen circumstance that another teacher is unable to teach

• Advocate to the greater public the value of the LWS education and outdoor learning. 

• Contribute to the leadership of identified areas within the school’s priorities

Safeguarding

• Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the students.

• Maintain good order among pupils, managing behaviour effectively to ensure a positive and safe learning environment

• Adhere to any relevant Policies about Keeping Children Safe, ongoing safeguarding, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and Confidentiality

• Work with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) to promote the best interests of pupils, including sharing concerns where necessary

• Read, understand and adhere to all policies and procedures relevant to your role and the safe running of the school.

• Keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff that is acquired as part of the job.

• Support children's personal care needs where appropriate and promote children's independence in self-care routines.

• Ensure good standards of safety, hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at all times.

Communication and working with colleagues

• Communicate effectively with pupils, parents and carers 

• Collaborate and work with colleagues and other relevant professionals within and beyond the school

• Develop effective professional relationships with colleagues

• Contribute effectively to maintaining positive relationships and community wellbeing

• Build strong partnerships with parents and carers, maintaining regular communication regarding children's learning, wellbeing and development

Personal and professional conduct

• Uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school

• Have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school, and maintain high standards of attendance and punctuality

• Understand and act within the statutory frameworks setting out their professional duties and responsibilities

• Be aware of the high profile of the school and to uphold its standards at all times, both in work hours and outside. 

• Communicate effectively with pupils, parents and carers

• Abide by the standards set out in the LWS Staff Code of Conduct

Management of staff and resources

• Direct and supervise support staff assigned to them, and where appropriate, other teachers

• Contribute to the recruitment and professional development of other teachers and support staff

• Effectively manage a class/department budget ensuring high-quality resources are used and looked after appropriately

Other Professional Duties

• Promote the Liberty Woodland School and Outdoor Learning ethos and work alongside the Head of School and staff team to ensure that the school’s philosophy is fulfilled.

• Take part in further training and development in order to improve own teaching

• Take part in the appraisal and professional development of others, where appropriate

• Help maintain equipment and resources.

• Support all staff and play a key part in keeping team morale high.

• Carry out such duties, including cover for absent colleagues, as required by the Head of School, punctually and efficiently. 

• Contribute imaginatively to the co-curricular, extra-curricular and sporting programmes of the School as required by the Head of School, and be prepared to run or assist with activities beyond lesson times and on Saturdays when required.

• Attend whole school meetings, staff meetings, parents’ evenings, open days, Inset days, training and similar important events both in and out of normal working hours.
  

• Take part in the school’s performance management scheme and appraisal on an annual/biannual basis. 

• Due to the outdoor element of the school there are physical demands of this role. The work is practical by definition and moderate levels of physical effort. It involves lifting and handling of training equipment, play equipment and other resources and to be involved in practical activities and physical care of learners and the environment. Activities are mainly out of doors and this will require walking and managing on uneven surfaces and in unpredictable weather conditions. You are required to be a role model for the staff and learners you work with, adhering to the Health & Safety procedures

Qualification and Experience

• Experience teaching within the Early Years Foundation Stage, particularly 4-5 year olds.

• QTS or equivalent teaching qualification.

• Strong knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and child development from ages 4–5.

• Experience of learning through play, continuous provision and outdoor learning.

• Experience of working with 4 to 11 year olds in a primary school setting

• Forest School Level 2/3 desirable, but not essential

• Experience within an outdoor education environment desirable, but not essential

Personal Attributes and Skills

• Flexibility and adaptability

• Positive attitude towards outdoor education and innovation

• Passion and creativity

• High-energy, active and resilient

• Excellent communication skills

• Team player

• Approachable and caring

• Reliable and respectful when interacting with parents, colleagues and the community

• A love of the outdoors

• Kindness

• Warm, nurturing and emotionally attuned

• Excellent understanding of child development

• Observant and reflective practitioner

• Passionate about play-based and experiential learning

• Able to build strong relationships with young children and their families

About Liberty Woodland School 

OUR VISION: To Develop Young People Who Will Be Most Likely To Succeed In The 21ST Century

OUR MISSION: Through our unique outdoor environment, we develop inquiring, independent and kind global citizens who are emotionally intelligent, innovative problem solvers, empowered, inclusive and socially responsible. 

AIMS FOR OUR SCHOOL:

• To provide a rich, diverse and challenging education through excellent and innovative teaching and learning that is immersed in the natural world. 

• To celebrate success, promote a "can do" attitude and inspire each other to achieve their best. 

• To support personal development, social responsibility and a sense of self-worth.

Liberty Woodland School is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.