Head of Early Years

Founded in 2016 by CEO John Forsyth, Forfar Education is an International education group, delivering a high-quality, child-centred focus to its family of schools and nurseries across the UK and Europe.  We select each school that joins the Forfar family carefully, ensuring that there is an alignment in culture and ethos, the ability to build a collaborative working partnership with the school’s leadership, as well as the opportunity to utilise our collective skill set to drive the school’s continued success and growth. Our goal is simple – to build a world class family of schools that retain their unique identities, whilst gaining the many benefits of being part of a larger group. Through our work, we help to ensure that the next generation of children are provided with the knowledge, resilience and skills needed to navigate an ever-changing world.

Role Overview

The Head of Early Years is responsible for supporting the Director of Education, Compliance and Safeguarding to deliver and ensure the highest standards of achievement across all of the Early Year settings within the Forfar Education group.

Key responsibilities include:

Teaching & Learning

• Support the Director of Education, Compliance & Safeguarding in the development of a first-class learning environment that encompasses the key requirements of the EYFS.

• Support the Director of Education, Compliance & Safeguarding in reviewing the Early Years curriculum, policies and initiatives within all settings.

• Establish and maintain regular communications with Leaders within EYFS settings to draw up, implement, monitor and evaluate the School Improvement Plan in respect of Early Years. This includes the group’s curriculum expectations.

• Brief and update all settings on relevant policy and practice throughout the year and ensure all settings have read, understood and adhered to the changes.

• Identify and facilitate the training needs of colleagues, lead relevant staff training as necessary as well as creating opportunities for colleagues to learn from you and each other.

• Lead the Forfar Hubs associated with EYFS.

• Monitor and evaluate teaching & learning in Early Years across all settings through looking at learning environments, planning, talking to children and visiting settings on a regular basis.

• Support the Director of Education, Compliance and Safeguarding in ensuring the settings meet all regulatory standards.

• Support the Director of Education, Compliance and Safeguarding in tracking progress across all settings.

• Stay abreast and contribute to research relevant to the Early Years

• Seek opportunities for inter-school collaboration and moderation.

Education, knowledge, training and qualifications

• Appropriate degree, with UK PGCE, or other teaching qualification giving QTS.

• An outstanding Early Years practitioner with proven impact in this area

• At least 2 years senior leadership experience

• Working knowledge of the National Curriculum of England including EYFS, KS1 and KS2

• Experience in highly effective relationship management with a variety of stakeholders.

• Knowledge of UK and international accreditation, inspection and evaluation frameworks

• Knowledge and understanding of child development and its impact on behaviour.

Personal qualities

• Have the ability and willingness to inspire others, leading by example.

• Be flexible and capable of managing change and instilling high standards.

• Ability to monitor the work of others and provide effective and credible feedback leading to improvement.

• Ability to organise oneself, prioritise and meet deadlines.

• Be highly motivated, ambitious and collaborative and willing to take the initiative.

• A positive and solution-focused attitude to working life.

• Respect for all members of a school community, irrespective of position, gender, age and ethnic background.

• Have high levels of honesty and integrity in aspects of their role

• Demonstrate empathy, humility and genuine care about staff and children, taking time to support, guide and motivate them.

• Be able to think strategically and drive improvements in pupil welfare and their wider learning experiences.

• Have excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to a wide range of audiences.

This job description is intended as a guide and is not exhaustive. It may be changed from time to time as appropriate in discussion with the Director of Education, Compliance & Safeguarding

Forfar Education are committed to the safety and protection of children. All employees are expected to comply with our School Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers and the enhanced level DBS.