Early Years Phase Lead

• Location: Portsmouth

• Start date: September 2026

• Salary: £33,739 - £53,094 + TLR 2a

• Contract: Permanent | Full-time

• Closing: Tuesday 21st April 2026

Are you ready to lead and inspire early years education in a vibrant, inclusive school community? Do you want to work with a committed SLT to raise standards and champion early years excellence? If so … we want to hear from you!

We are now looking for a passionate and experienced EYFS Lead to join our team and help shape the future of early years provision -ensuring every child gets the best possible start.

You will demonstrate a deep understanding of early years pedagogy and model high expectations to pupils, promoting a culture of excellence and care.

Our ideal candidate will:
- Be qualified to teach and work in the UK

- Have relevant degree and EYFS qualification

- Ideally haveexperience leading or significantly contributed to the success of the EYFS in a school

- Have deep commitment to Ark’s mission of providing an excellent education to every child, regardless of background

- Have robust awareness of keeping children safe, noticing safeguarding and welfare concerns, and you understand how and when to take appropriate action

How to apply:

Please click apply to be redirected to our website and submit an application.

We will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.

About our school:

Ark Dickens is a lovely school in the heart of Portsmouth. We are a two-form entry primary academy, which became part of the Ark network in September 2014. We are a school with high aspirations and expectations to ‘Be Our Best’ in all that we do. This reflects our ethos of ensuring every child is provided with every opportunity to reach their potential.

Why work for us

• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.

• Twice as many training days as standard.

• Generous pension scheme.

• Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers

• Interest-free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.

• Gym discounts – offering up to 40%.

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

Safeguarding statement:
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.

Diversity and inclusion

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.