Early Years Leader; Primary Phase

Early Years Leader (Primary Phase) – Waverley Education Foundation

Location:

Birmingham, West Midlands, England.

Start Date:

April 2026 or sooner.

Waverley Education Foundation (WEF) is a Multi Academy Trust operating Waverley School and Waverley Studio College. With approximately 2,000 pupils, we provide services supporting learning, leadership, management and outcomes for children and young people.

Waverley School is an all-through school for pupils aged 4‑19, including a Primary and Secondary Resource Base for pupils with cognition and learning difficulties. Waverley Studio College is a specialist academy catering for 14‑19‑year‑old pupils. Both were graded “Good” in their recent Ofsted inspections.

Our core values are Humanity, Equality, Aspiration and Respect. We are seeking an ambitious, experienced, and inspirational EYFS Leader to join the primary senior leadership team and develop high‑quality nursery provision.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Early Years and nursery provision.
• Lead the set‑up, development, and ongoing growth of nursery provision, ensuring it is fully compliant, sustainable, and aspirational.
• Develop and embed an ambitious EYFS curriculum rooted in best practice.
• Line‑manage and develop EYFS staff, building a skilled and motivated team.
• Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, care and inclusion.
• Work closely with families and external agencies to support children’s learning and wellbeing.
• Contribute actively to whole‑setting leadership, self‑evaluation and improvement planning.

Qualifications / Experience

• Experienced EYFS leader with strong knowledge of the EYFS statutory framework.
• Vision, drive and organisational skills to establish and lead nursery provision.
• Excellent leadership, communication and team‑building skills.
• Passionate about inclusive practice and early intervention.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children.

What We Offer

• A senior leadership role with real strategic influence.
• The opportunity to design and lead nursery provision with autonomy and support.
• A collaborative and supportive leadership team.
• Ongoing professional development and leadership growth.
• A setting that values Early Years as the foundation of lifelong learning.

We warmly welcome and strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit the setting prior to application. This is an excellent opportunity to meet members of the leadership team, see our Early Years environment, and gain a deeper understanding of our vision for the development of nursery provision.

The successful candidate will need to meet the requirements of the person specification in order to be offered the post and will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online checks in line with “Keeping Children Safe in Education”.

We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion. Only applications submitted on the school application form will be accepted.

Waverley Education Foundation is committed to the protection and safety of its pupils.

Closing date: 21 January 2026 at 10:00am. Interviews will take place on 28 and 29 January 2026.

For an application pack please visit our website: .
Completed applications should be sent to Appli
.
Applications received after this date and time will not be considered. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.