About This Role
Details of the Role
Class teacher in the Pre-Prep
Part time position two days a week
Salary: Dependent on qualifications and experience
Start date: September 2026
Closing date for applications: 09:00 Friday 17 April 2026
Interviews to be held: Week commencing 20 April 2026
The Appointment
The school is seeking to appoint a forward-thinking, dynamic and innovative individual with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills to the role of a class teacher in the Pre-Prep School. The role would be teaching within any of the Pre-Prep age ranges including Pre-Reception, Reception, Year One or Year Two.
Candidates must be flexible and resilient with a clear passion for supporting every child in reaching their potential. We are looking for a strong team player who is keen to work as part of the Culford team. Our new teacher will have a passion for encouraging creativity and curiosity in our young learners. Experience of working within the Early Years and working as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, would be advantageous
This is an exciting opportunity for an inspiring and aspirational class teacher who is able to work with efficacy both independently and as part of a collaborative team. Culford believes in career, professional and personal development and will seek to support the successful candidate in all areas.
The Role
The successful candidate will have a clear understanding of life in a busy Pre-Prep School and be keen to work as part of an enthusiastic and committed team.
Curriculum
Be passionate about teaching and try to actively promote pleasurable and successful learning for all pupils so that each pupil is positively encouraged to develop his/her potential to the full.
Contribute to suitable schemes of work and select appropriate resources for pupils, taking into consideration the provision for more able and less able pupils in liaison with the Head of Learning Development.
Plan lessons in writing which have clear learning outcomes, enable swift progress, foster application and good behaviour, provide for different needs and make use of an appropriate range of methods and resources.
Maintain records of work covered for each set taught.
Mark work regularly in accordance with the school’s policies and keep detailed records.
Monitor and evaluate the effective delivery of your class teaching.
Keep abreast of the latest developments in teaching within your subject areas and with curricular issues and debate.
Undertake the duties laid down in the job description of a Class Teacher.
Be fully committed to high standards of assessment and tracking.
Produce assessments and end of term reports in line with school policy.
Monitor pupils’ attendance at lessons and to follow up absences in line with school policy.
Attend departmental meetings, parents’ meetings and other meetings as required.
Attend appropriate INSET and other courses as required and academic meetings as requested.
Pastoral Responsibilities
Act as ambassador and professional advocate for the School, with strong personal credibility and the capacity to build relationships.
Offer activities as part of the extra-curricular programme and after-school care.
Pastoral care of pupils in their classes, keeping note of any pastoral issues on iSAMS and Wellbeing Manager
Monitoring academic progress by liaising Senior Teachers and the Head of Pre-Prep, where necessary.
Liaison with parents in relation to academic matters.
Attending relevant parent meetings and being available to meet with parents at other times, where necessary.
The Person
Our new colleague will be an inspirational and highly-motivated teacher who can secure the full engagement of their pupils. The successful candidate will have the following qualifications, experience, knowledge and personal qualities:
Qualifications and Experience
A good degree (or equivalent) and teaching qualification with strong evidence of professional development.
A high degree of competency and experience of teaching pupils in Key Stage one and/or EYFS, experience as a SENDCo would be advantageous.
Skills and Knowledge
A passion for supporting pupils with a professional and motivational approach, demonstrating a clear understanding of what excellence looks like.
Excellent and effective teaching skills.
A commitment to, and knowledge of, the safeguarding of children.
A demonstrable enthusiasm for co-curricular opportunities including sports and the creative arts which are central to life at Culford.
A research-informed knowledge of current educational issues, covering both academic and welfare matters including up-to-date knowledge of current legislative issues and guidance in relation to working with young children.
The ability to prioritise with excellent time management and IT capabilities.
Personal
Fully supportive of the aims and ethos of an independent school.
Excellent written, spoken and listening skills.
A high level of flexibility with a ‘can do’ attitude and an openness to new ideas and practices.
Dynamic and approachable, able to put people at ease, reassure, guide, and explain.
Ability to deal confidently with pupils, staff and parents.
Understanding the age appropriate needs and concerns of young children and having natural empathy with them.
Innovative, hard-working, driven and determined.
Resilient with a good sense of humour.
The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Early applications are encouraged as candidates will be reviewed regularly and the advert may close at any point.
Culford School is a boarding and day school for over 850 children aged 1 to 18, set in 480 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, with an 18th century grade II mansion at its centre and three separate schools: the Pre-Prep & Nursery (ages 1 to 7); the Prep (ages 7 to 13); and the Senior School (ages 13 to 18).
We believe in educating the whole person to deliver a well-rounded, fulfilled individual with excellent academic results. Everything we do is informed by our firm belief that learning should be challenging, enriching and fun. Culford is a Christian school with a Methodist tradition. We see education as a transformational process that guides pupils towards academic success, clear moral values, and the development of leadership and a readiness for the world of adulthood.
Safeguarding
Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo a child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Flexibility and Variation:
This job description outlines the role as it stands at the date shown. Culford School periodically reviews job descriptions to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Changes may be made following consultation with the post holder. While the aim is to agree on reasonable changes, the School reserves the right to change the job description following consultation.
All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks to meet vetting and barring requirements. For more information about that process please refer to the application form.
As an equal opportunities employer, Culford School is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Culford School.
Culford School puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school. There is a commitment to keep safeguarding at the forefront of every employee and volunteer’s mind. We encourage a culture of challenge, not just to act when there is a need, but also in the way we think to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised.
Job applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening and be subject to checks with previous employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Successful applicants must complete mandatory pre-employment training in safeguarding and other key areas before the commencement of employment.
Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.
We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If you are shortlisted, you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.
If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website.
Nacro - https://www.nacro.org.uk/criminal-record-support-service/ or phone 0300 123 1999