Class Teacher (Maternity Cover)

Job description

Job title and organisation: Class Teacher (Maternity Cover) - Thorpe Primary School
Salary: MPS 1 - UPS 3 £31,650 - £49,084
Hours: 32.5 (Full time, Term time only)
Contract: Temporary maternity cover, 1st January 2027 - 31st December 2027
Location: Thorpe Primary School
Closing Date and Time: Monday 16th November 2026 at 9am

Thorpe Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all children, and expects all our staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment.

Points A to D below are a Main Pay Range teacher's responsibilities as set out in Part 7 Contractual Framework for Teachers of the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document, and as such may be amended by subsequent documents. Main Pay Range teachers are required to act in accordance with the school's ethos, policies and practices, under the direction of the headteacher.

In addition to the duties and responsibilities of a Main Pay Range teacher, Upper Pay Range teachers are required to be highly competent in all elements of the Teachers' Standards, to ensure their achievements and contribution to the school are substantial and sustained. Upper Pay Range teachers must ensure that they discharge the accountabilities under points A to D, in addition to those identified under the Upper Pay Range Accountabilities.

Purpose of the job

• To facilitate and encourage learning which enables pupils to achieve high standards
• To share and support the corporate responsibility for the well-being, education and discipline of all pupils

The Job Description should be read alongside the range of professional duties of teachers as set out in the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document. The postholder will be expected to undertake duties in line with the Teachers' Standards for qualified teachers and uphold these standards.

Consultation

In carrying out these duties, to consult, where appropriate, with the relevant senior manager, the staff in school, parents and carers, pupils and the wider community

In relation to the statutory requirements

The appointment is subject to the current conditions of employment for class teachers contained in the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document, the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act, the required standards for Qualified Teacher Status and class teachers and other current legislation

Areas of responsibility and key tasks:

Main Pay Range and Upper Pay Range teachers

Planning, teaching and class management; to:

• Teach allocated pupils by planning their teaching to achieve progression of learning through:
• identifying clear teaching objectives and specifying how they will be taught and assessed;
• setting tasks which challenge pupils and ensure high levels of interest;
• setting appropriate and demanding expectations;
• setting clear targets, building on prior attainment;
• providing quality written and verbal feedback with reference to Assessment for Learning;
• identifying and teaching pupils with SEND or very able pupils;
• provide clear structures for lessons maintaining pace, motivation and challenge for all children, including those with SEND and the more able;
• make effective use of assessment and ensure coverage of programmes of study;
• ensure effective teaching and best use of available time;
• monitor and intervene to ensure sound learning and discipline;
• use a variety of teaching methods to:
• match approach to content, structure information, present a set of key ideas and use appropriate vocabulary;
• use effective questioning, listen carefully to pupils, give attention to errors and misconceptions;
• select appropriate learning resources and develop study skills through library, computing and other sources;
• secure good progress for all children from their starting points
• ensure pupils acquire and consolidate knowledge, skills and understanding appropriate to the subject taught;
• evaluate their own teaching critically to improve effectiveness.

Monitoring, assessment, recording, reporting; to:

• assess how well learning objectives have been achieved and use them to improve specific aspects of teaching;
• mark and monitor pupils' work and set targets for progress;
• assess and record pupils' progress systematically and keep records to check work is understood and completed, monitor strengths and weaknesses, inform planning and recognise the level at which the pupil is achieving;
• prepare and present informative reports to parents and where required to the Governing Body.

Health, safety and discipline

• promote the safety and well-being of pupils in accordance with the school's various safeguarding policies;
• maintain good order and discipline among pupils in accordance with the school's behaviour policy.

Other professional requirements; to:

• have a working knowledge of teachers' professional duties and legal liabilities;
• operate at all times within the stated policies and practices of the school;
• establish effective working relationships and set a good example through their presentation and personal and professional conduct;
• direct and supervise support staff assigned to you and, where appropriate, other teachers;
• deploy resources delegated to you in accordance with school policies;
• endeavour to give every child the opportunity to reach their potential and meet high expectations;
• contribute to the corporate life of the school through effective implementation of school policies, practices and procedures in such a way that supports the school's vision and values;
• participate in meetings and management systems necessary to coordinate the management of the school. This includes working with others on the curriculum and/or pupil development to secure co-ordinated outcomes;
• take responsibility for their own professional development and duties in relation to school policies and practices;
• participate in arrangements for the appraisal and review of your own performance;
• liaise effectively with parents and governors;
• take on any additional responsibilities which might from time to time be determined;
• communicate with pupils, parents and carers in accordance with the school ethos, policies and practice;
• participate in administrative and organisational tasks, including the direction or supervision of persons providing support for the teachers in the school, which require the exercise of your professional skills and judgment.
• Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.
• This job description may be amended at any time following discussion between the headteacher and member of staff.

Upper Pay Range 1, 2 Accountabilities,

in addition to those for teachers on the Main Pay Range

• Contribute significantly, where appropriate, to implementing workplace policies and practice and to promoting collective responsibility for their implementation.
• Have an extensive knowledge and understanding of how to use and adapt a range of teaching, learning and behaviour management strategies, including how to personalise learning to provide opportunities for all learners to achieve their potential.
• Have an extensive knowledge and well-informed understanding of the assessment requirements and arrangements for the subjects/curriculum areas you teach, including those related to public examinations and qualifications.
• Have a more developed knowledge and understanding of your subjects/curriculum areas and related pedagogy including how learning progresses within them than a Main Pay Range teacher.
• Have sufficient depth of knowledge and experience to be able to give advice to colleagues on the development and well-being of children and young people.
• Be flexible, creative and adept at designing learning sequences within lessons and across lessons that are effective and consistently well-matched to learning objectives and the needs of learners and which integrate recent developments, including those relating to subject/curriculum knowledge.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to other teachers, give advice to them and demonstrate to them effective teaching practice in order to help them meet the relevant standards and develop their teaching practice.

Upper Pay Range 3 (maximum) Accountabilities,

in addition to those for teachers on the Main Pay Range and to those teachers on Upper Pay Range 1, 2

In addition to the requirements of a Main Pay Range teacher and an Upper Pay Range teacher, teachers paid at the maximum of the Upper Pay Range are required to ensure that they:

• Play a critical role in the life of the school.
• Provide a role model for teaching and learning.
• Make a distinctive contribution to the raising of pupil standards.
• Contribute effectively to the work of the wider team.
• Take advantage of appropriate opportunities for professional development and use the outcomes effectively to improve pupils' learning.

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

This job description may be amended at any time following discussion between the headteacher and member of staff.

Thorpe Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all children, and expects all our staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment

Person Specification

Qualifications/ training

Essential

• Qualified teacher status (QTS)
• Degree
• A levels or equivalent

Desirable

• KS1 training/teaching experience
• SEND training

Skills

Essential

• Empathy, integrity and honesty
• Ability to build strong and trusting relationships
• Communication skills - written and verbal
• Ability to work co-operatively with the team and other agencies
• Decision-making, problem-solving, using initiative
• Ability to adapt to meet the challenges of rapid change
• Ability to support and manage challenging behaviour
• ICT skills and use of school software - CPOMS, SIMs and others

Desirable

• Ability to challenge.
• Ability to inspire adults.
• Experience of working positively with external agencies.
• Ability to effectively use a range of formative and summative assessment in teaching

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of safeguarding policies, procedure and practice.
• Strong understanding of how children learn.
• Knowledge and experience of differentiation to meet the needs of all learners.

Desirable

• Training in a range of areas, including SEND, attachment, safeguarding and de-escalation

Experience

Essential

• Successful teaching experience in primary education.
• Experience of managing challenging behaviour.
• Evidence of positive impact in teaching.

Desirable

• Experience of teaching in all phases in school.
• Supporting vulnerable pupils including those with SEND.
• Experience of impact on a wider area of school.
• Successful and sustained subject leadership.

Behavioural and Other Characteristics

Essential

• Commitment to the role and the school
• Positive role model for pupils and families
• Strong work ethic
• Commitment to self-improvement
• Confidentiality and sensitivity to safeguarding and child protection issues and information
• Ability to understand and observe the School and Leeds City Council's Equal Opportunities Policy.

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

We warmly encourage visits to our school so we can show you around our lovely environment and give you an opportunity to meet our team and children. Please contact us to arrange your visit and/or Application Form; phone 0113 5217040 or email our Business Manager Sam Weston ( [email protected] ).

Thorpe Primary School is part of the Leeds Authority and part of the Rothwell cluster. We are close to East Ardsley and Middleton, but only fifteen minutes from Leeds city centre and close to the M1 and M621. Please have a look at our school website for more information about our school.

Application deadline: Monday 16 th November 2026 (9am)

Shortlisting: Monday 16 th November 2026

Interviews: Thursday 19 th November 2026

Thorpe Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all children, and expects all our staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation. To apply please follow their application instructions.
#EXT #LI-DNI