Job Introduction
Where Children Come First – Inspired by Early Excellence
Reception Teacher & EYFS Lead
The Grange Community Primary School, Banbury
Where Children Come First – The Grange Way
Reception Teacher & Lead
Are you a passionate Early Years teacher who believes in the power of play, curiosity, and high-quality interactions?
Are you ready to lead a Reception provision where children’s independence, language, and thinking are truly valued?
At The Grange Community Primary School, we are seeking an exceptional Reception Teacher and EYFS Lead to join our community and help us live out The Grange Way – caring for everyone and everything.
Why The Grange?
The Grange is a vibrant, inclusive school at the heart of Banbury, where children are supported to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our ethos, The Grange Way, underpins everything we do. We believe in:
- Creating a culture of care, respect, and belonging
- Ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and able to succeed
- Developing children who care for themselves, others, and the world around them
Our staff are a supportive, collaborative team who are committed to high standards, strong relationships, and meaningful learning.
Our Early Years at The Grange
Our Early Years provision is rooted in an Early Excellence approach, where children learn through a carefully balanced combination of high-quality continuous provision, purposeful play, and skilled adult interaction.
We believe that young children learn best when they are deeply engaged, curious, and able to follow their own interests. Our environment is thoughtfully designed as a “third teacher”, promoting independence, exploration, and respect for the space and resources around them—reflecting The Grange Way in action.
Adults play a crucial role in shaping learning. Through high-quality interactions and sustained shared thinking, staff support, extend, and deepen children’s understanding. Relationships are at the heart of everything we do, ensuring children feel secure, confident, and ready to learn.
Our provision prioritises:
- Well-established continuous provision, enabling children to revisit, practise, and deepen their thinking
- A strong focus on communication and language, recognising that talk underpins all learning
- The development of early reading and a love of books
- Opportunities for children to develop independence, resilience, and ownership of their learning
- A curriculum that values depth over coverage, allowing children to develop secure understanding
The Role: Reception Teacher & EYFS Lead
This is a unique opportunity to combine outstanding classroom practice with strategic leadership.
You will:
- Lead and develop EYFS provision in line with an Early Excellence pedagogy and The Grange Way
- Design and refine a high-quality environment that promotes independence, curiosity, and care
- Champion play-based learning, language development, and early reading
- Support and develop colleagues through modelling, coaching, and collaboration
- Promote a culture of care, respect, and high expectations across Early Years
- Work with senior leaders to drive continuous improvement
Who We’re Looking For
We are looking for someone who:
- Is an excellent Early Years practitioner with a deep understanding of how young children learn
- Believes in play-based learning underpinned by skilled adult interaction
- Has experience of, or a strong interest in, Early Excellence approaches
- Can create an environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired
- Is ready to lead, inspire, and develop others
- Demonstrates and promotes The Grange Way through care, respect, and positive relationships
What We Offer
- A warm, inclusive school with a strong sense of community
- Happy, engaged children who are eager to learn and feel safe
- A supportive leadership team who value professional trust and autonomy
- The opportunity to shape and lead EYFS provision
- High-quality professional development, including opportunities linked to Early Excellence
- A genuine commitment to staff wellbeing and work–life balance
Key Details
- Full-time, permanent position
- Salary: MPS/UPS (depending on experience)
- TLR for EYFS Leadership
Come and See Us
We strongly encourage visits—come and experience the environment, the children, and our vision in action.
📞 01295 257861
📧 SBM.2058@grange.oxon.sch.uk
📅 Closing date: 30th April
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
