Early Years Lead Practitioner (HLTA)

Early Years Lead Practitioner (HLTA) to work in Nursery two days per week

Start date: 13th April 2026

Grade 8  - SCP 19 £32,061 FTE pro-rata Term Time Only -  38 weeks 
•    Permanent
•    Two days per week 
•    8:00am-3:45pm 
•    14.5hrs per week including PPA
•    £16.61 per hour

Do you have a passion to work with young children in creating an environment that will allow them to flourish and develop? 

We need an experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant, a ‘friendly, team player with high expectations’ to join our St Mark’s School family.

St Mark’s C of E Primary School is a small, family orientated village school in Kendal. We work in partnership with parents to develop a school where no one fails but rather, where every child leaves us having identified a talent, a skill, an intelligence through which they can become whatever they want to be. We have a strong tradition of celebrating achievement and encouraging children’s self-esteem and we have excellent teachers, teaching assistants and office staff who all work closely together. Our Governing Body plays an active role in the development and success of the school and we have a thriving Parent Teacher Association (PTA) whose members work extremely hard to raise money and to provide a whole range of social events for parents and children.

St Mark’s is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children, so therefore the post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and excellent professional references will be sought.

You will be leading the Nursery Class under the guidance of the class teacher in nurturing and teaching our young children. You will share all aspects of classroom management and have responsibilities for planning, teaching and assessment. We pride ourselves in knowing each individual child’s needs and interests. Our aim is to provide activities that will support and facilitate their learning, especially at such an important age. In order to apply for this role, you will need to have experience of working in an EYFS provision, and hold a relevant early years qualification (Level 4 or above). We recognise that this post may also be appealing to an early career teacher who is wanting to gain valuable experience in school.

To be considered for this EYFS role opportunity you must have a passion to:
•    motivate and facilitate children’s learning and development, often encouraging learning through experience, developing curiosity and knowledge
•    provide pastoral care and support within a secure and loving learning environment
•    promote the schools Christian Values
•    encourage mathematical and literacy development
•    lead engaging and inspiring phonics sessions
•    work with others; staff, students and volunteer helpers
•    be line manager for other teaching assistants
•    plan and coordinate work both indoors and outdoors, maximising the potential of our wonderful learning environments
•    observe, assess and record each child's progress and share this with parents including at parents’ evenings
•    ensure the health and safety of children and staff is maintained during all activities, both inside and outside of school
•    attend staff meeting and share minutes in TA meetings
•    actively support SEND and Inclusion processes and procedures
•    keep up to date with changes in the curriculum and developments in best practice
•    contribute or lead a subject/ development area in school
•    contribute to wider school activities and events

St Mark’s CofE Primary School is committed to the principles of safer recruitment, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check and excellent professional references.

We welcome visits to school. Please contact the school office to book your visit on 015395 60719 or office@st-marks.cumbria.sch.uk and look at our school website for further information.

Closing date for applications: Friday 13th March 2026 at 12.00 noon

Interviews: To be held Thursday 19th March 2026