Instructional Coach (IC)- Early Years

Reports To: Head of Teaching and Learning Development (English) and Head of Pastoral Care

Job Purpose

The Instructional Coach provides direct guidance and mentoring for teaching staff across all EPG early years settings, with specialized focus on developing Academic Administrators and Lead Teachers within their assigned year level. This role ensures consistent high-quality teaching practices and pastoral care across all locations through observation, feedback, professional development, and leadership succession planning.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership Development & Support

• Academic Administrator Development: Provide system-wide training, mentoring, and ongoing support to Academic Administrators; design comprehensive AA development programs focusing on leadership, curriculum development and learning outcomes, and teacher management; conduct regular coaching sessions and performance evaluations.
• Revision: Instructional Coaches focus on developing Academic Administrators as the primary leadership pipeline. Collaboration with the Head of Pastoral Care ensures that Academic Administrators can integrate pedagogy with behaviour and wellbeing practices led by the Lead Teachers.
• Succession Planning: Mentor high-potential teachers for advancement to Lead Teacher and AA roles; coordinate with Branch Managers on leadership talent development; create structured career development pathways and competency frameworks.

Teaching Quality & Professional Development

• Direct Mentoring: Conduct regular classroom observations across all branches; provide constructive, actionable feedback; work with teachers through AA coordination to identify development needs and create improvement plans; support new teacher induction.
• Professional Development Leadership: Design and deliver comprehensive training sessions on instructional best practices; lead coaching cycles and peer collaboration opportunities; model effective teaching strategies; foster culture of continuous learning.
• Quality Monitoring: Use standardised evaluation tools for systematic teaching observations; track teacher progress through follow-up observations; analyse student outcomes and wellbeing indicators; support Academic Administrators in QA walkthrough processes; maintain comprehensive development records.

Curriculum & Assessment Support

• Curriculum Implementation: Support curriculum development aligned with EYFS standards and EPG goals; guide AAs and Lead Teachers in adapting materials for diverse student needs; coordinate bilingual curriculum approaches; integrate pastoral care elements.
• Assessment Coordination: Train AAs and Lead Teachers in assessment strategies and progress monitoring; analyse student data across branches to identify trends; support intervention strategies for students requiring additional support; maintain confidential records per EPG policies.
• Resource Development: Create age-appropriate instructional materials and assessment tools; establish central repository of teaching resources; coordinate resource sharing networks between branches.

Pastoral Care & Student Wellbeing

• Pastoral Care Leadership: Coordinate with pastoral care teams for consistent wellbeing support; guide implementation of behaviour management strategies; lead family engagement initiatives; coordinate crisis intervention protocols.
• Integrated Support: Monitor pastoral care outcomes system-wide within assigned year level; develop pastoral care resources and training programs; integrate wellbeing considerations into all mentoring activities.

Community Engagement & Transitions

• Parent Education: Lead parent education initiatives on early development stages; train staff in delivering parent workshops; create parent-friendly resources supporting home-school partnerships; guide culturally sensitive family engagement strategies.
• Transition Support: Lead initiatives supporting smooth transitions to next year levels; coordinate with EPG Primary Schools; train AAs and Lead Teachers in developing transition protocols; monitor transition program effectiveness.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Best Practice Development: Pilot innovative teaching and leadership practices; encourage effective use of digital tools; contribute to EPG-wide curriculum development; support action research projects; disseminate best practices across network.
• Professional Growth: Pursue ongoing development in leadership, coaching, early childhood education, and pastoral care; participate in EPG training programs; engage in reflective practice; seek feedback for continuous improvement.

Experience, Qualifications & Skills Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum 5 years successful early years teaching experience.
• Proven experience in instructional coaching, mentoring, and leadership development.
• Demonstrated experience in training and developing educational leaders.
• Deep knowledge of EYFS framework and early childhood development principles.

Essential Skills

• Strong understanding of curriculum design, assessment methodologies, and instructional strategies.
• Excellent leadership development and coaching abilities.
• Proficient in educational technology with ability to train others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for multilingual environments.
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
• Strong organisational and time management abilities.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in pastoral care, child safeguarding, or student wellbeing support.
• Knowledge of child protection protocols and crisis intervention procedures.
• Experience in succession planning and talent development.
• Understanding of community engagement and environmental education methodologies.

Additional Responsibilities

All Instructional Coaches may be assigned additional Positions of Responsibility (PORs) consistent with their role as Middle Leadership Team members, at the discretion of the Early Years Director. Any other reasonable duties as requested by management.

Apply exclusively via the WhatSchool platform.