Job Description

About The Role

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Nursery Class Teacher- Maternity Cover:



March 2026 Start (0.4) 16hrs per week



Are you someone that has high expectations and a desire to improve the life chances of pupils? Do you want to belong to a school which is continually striving to improve teaching whilst simultaneously reducing teacher workload?



Ark Castledown is a popular Primary Academy in the heart of Hastings. The school has been transformed since joining the ARK network and during the first year of transition was in the top 1% of most improved schools in the country. As Hastings is recognised as an "Opportunity Area" the academy is pivotal in ensuring our children get the best start in life.



As part of the ARK network, we are committed to making sure that every child has access to an excellent education and real choices in life. We know that great schools need great teaching staff, which is why we offer you the very best training and support at every stage of your career.



We are looking for a caring an compassionate Nursery teacher to join our Early Years team from March 2nd on a fixed term basis for the rest of the academic year.



The successful candidate will:


+ Care passionately about children, their growth and achievement's
+ Be hard working and adaptable to change
+ Be an excellent team player
+ Be willing to embrace the culture of self-reflection and development
+ Have experience of working in a Nursery/ EYFS setting


We welcome applications from newly qualified teachers and can provide coaching and development opportunities to support you through your first year in teaching.



If you have a passion for education, we can offer you support and challenge you to develop as a classroom teacher and future leader.



We strongly encourage you to visit the academy to meet us and find out more about this post. Please contact Miss R Stewart on 01424 444046 or email rstewart@arkcastledown.org to arrange a visit.



As a teacher at ARK Castledown you will be part of ARK, an international charity and one of the UK's most successful multi-academy trusts with a network of 39 schools in 4 locations across the country.



We work hard to recognise work



We strive to recognise your achievements and celebrate your success. You will have access to health packages, discounts at major retailers, travel loans and other benefits through the ARK rewards scheme.



We take CPD seriously, which is why we offer twice as many days training as standard. We provide an array of development programmes for our staff including NQT, middle leader and senior leadership programmes supplying you with the training and support you need to progress throughout your career, supporting you to become the best you can be.



Visit our website at www.arkcastledown.org/vacancies for more information about our school.



Closing date: Monday 26th January 2026



Interviews: W/C Monday 26th January 2026



Salary: AMPS 1-6 - 13,495.60-18593.00 pro rata



Contract: Fixed term to Aug 2026



Hours: 16hrs per week (Monday & Wednesday)



Location: Hastings, East Sussex


Ark is committed to safeguarding children; successful candidates will be subject to online checks and an enhanced DBS check.

Benefits

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+ Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
+ Twice as many training days as standard.
+ Generous pension scheme.
+ Access to Ark rewards - a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
+ Interest-free loans - up to 5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
+ Gym discounts - offering up to 40%.
+ Access to Employee Assistance Programme - providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

Find out more about the benefits of working for Ark at

https://arkonline.org/careers/why-work-with-us/.

About Us

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We are community primary school that is dedicated to providing the very best education for the children of our town.



We hold a strong child-centred approach to teaching, where consistency, praise, encouragement and challenge are key. We believe that every child has a unique potential and we work hard to inspire and motivate children to achieve their goals.



We know that a successful and happy school depends on all of us working together, and that parents make an important contribution to children's achievements at school. We are committed to developing excellent working relationships with our families and all members of our school community.

Visit

arkcastledown.org/jobs

to learn more about us and see our current vacancies.

Diversity and inclusion:

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone - staff and students - can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.





Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.



Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.


Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.