Job Description
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Nursery Leader
St James the Great CofE Primary School and Nursery
1st September 2026
Hours:37 hours a week (Four days 8:00am-4:00pm, One day (TBC) 8:00am to 3:30pm- with a 30-minute lunch break). Term Time including inset days (38 weeks per year)
Contract:Part-time permanent.
Salary:Scale 7, points 19 to 24, £26,748.41 -£29,544.04 (FTE £32,061.20 - £35,412.10)
School/Nursery Profile
St James the Great Church of England Primary School is located in Colchester, one of Britain's oldest recorded towns. Our purpose-built nursery provides a warm and stimulating environment where children can explore, learn, and grow. We pride ourselves on our close-knit community, where supportive relationships and teamwork create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Staff benefit from a collaborative culture, CPD opportunities, and a caring team environment. St James the Great is an ideal setting for staff committed to inspiring education, spiritual development, and making a positive impact on young lives.
Key Responsibilities:
· Provide a stimulating, educational, and safe environment for children in which they can develop to their full potential.
· Establish positive relationships with pupils and their parents/carers.
· Develop and oversee long-term, medium-term, and daily curriculum plans.
· Ensure high-quality teaching and learning experiences for all children.
· Monitor and assess children's progress through effective observation and record-keeping systems.
· Supervise staff, manage the key worker system, and support professional development through appraisals and training.
· Maintain accurate records and ensure a safe, hygienic, and inclusive environment.
· Foster strong relationships with parents/carers and liaise with external professionals.
· Uphold nursery policies, including safeguarding, health & safety, and equal opportunities.
This role requires a proactive leader committed to promoting the welfare and development of young children in line with statutory requirements and school values.
Required Qualifications and Skills:
NNEB or equivalent (essential).
Understand and implement school behaviour management policy.
Ability to manage groups of children, ensuring pupils remain on task.
Understand and support the differences in children and respond appropriately.
Working knowledge and experience of implementing the national curriculum and other learning programmes.
Understanding of different developmental stages and the impact of experience on these developments.
Understand the way in which play and games can support child development.
Understand and promote the value of emotional and physical well-being in children.
Good literacy and numeracy skills
Ability to be proactive and initiate action
Capable of supervising and supporting others effectively
Strong ability to prioritise workload, manage time efficiently, and consistently meet deadlines.
Demonstrates original thinking and a creative approach to resolving challenges independently.
Take responsibility for own well-being.
Why Join Us?
Be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team.
Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
A welcoming school community with a strong focus on well-being and inclusion.
· The chance to make a real difference in the lives of our students.
Application Procedure
Applying for this position is straightforward, you can either complete a Vine application form and submit this to Maria.Chinegwu@dcvst.org by the closing date. Or alternatively, apply via the Essex School Jobs advertisement and complete the Essex application form.
Visits to the school/nursery are welcome and recommended. To book an appointment, or for further information about this vacancy, please contact Maria Chinegwu at Maria.Chinegwu@dcvst.org.
The successful candidate will meet the requirements of the job description and person specification and will be subject to an enhanced DBS Check. The Vine Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Closing Date for Applications: Midnight 19th June 2026
Interviews: Week Commencing Monday 22nd June 2025
Information about the School
As a Church of England school, we have Christian Values at the centre of all we do as we teach the children how to aim high, using their skills and talents to achieve whatever they aim for.
Learning at St James’ is exciting and fun, children get messy and enjoy talking about their learning. Classrooms are vibrant and full of resources to make sure that pupils obtain the knowledge, skills and understanding that they need to thrive. Our pupils are hard-working individuals who enjoy their learning and who support each other to improve.
Our Christian school has a strong ethos to ensure pupils achieve. The school has a supportive staff team who are committed to improving learning outcomes for pupils.