As part of the River Learning Trust (RLT), we work under a shared commitment to excellence, continuous adult and pupil learning, and respectful relationships. At Wolvercote, our vision is built around three core pillars: being kind and respectful, responsible, and lifelong learners. We embed these values every day through an inclusive ethos where every single child and staff member knows they are genuinely valued.

The Role: Nursery Teacher

We are seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated, and forward-thinking Nursery Teacher to join our Early Years team. In the early years at Wolvercote, high ambition underpins everything we do. Your days will be centered around "Discovery Time," where children spend the majority of their time learning through play in a richly resourced, structured environment. This is carefully balanced with expert small group sessions, one-on-one interactions, and short, impactful whole-class lessons.

Inclusive & Restorative Practice

Wolvercote is celebrated for its deep culture of inclusion. We are a mainstream environment committed to removing barriers to learning, and you will routinely work alongside children with high needs and SEND.

To maintain this nurturing space, we do not rely on rigid or punitive systems. Instead, our behavior framework is built on restorative and reframing practices. You will utilize calm adult behavior, relentless routines, and restorative conversations to help children self-regulate, take personal responsibility, and return to their learning swiftly.

Wellbeing First

At Wolvercote, we understand that great schools thrive because of the people in them. Our dedicated Wellbeing Policy ensures that your mental and physical health are protected.

• We actively design our school calendar and policies to avoid intense workload deadlines.

• We honor requests for leave to attend your own children's school performances.

• We offer a calm, relaxing staffroom space, complete with facilities to cook and unwind.

• You will enjoy the daily therapeutic perks of working alongside Cali, our school dog!

True Flexibility in Practice

We champion a supportive approach to flexible working and job design. Under our Flexible PPA Policy, full-time teachers receive 3 hours of non-contact time per week, which can be taken in school or at home. We also welcome requests for alternative arrangements, such as taking a full day of PPA every fortnight or splitting slots to best fit your work-life balance.

RLT Trust Benefits

Being part of the River Learning Trust opens doors to exceptional professional advantages:

• Access to a trained Mental Health First Aider and a dedicated Wellbeing Champion within the school.

• Free, confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programme for you and your close family.

• Industry-leading training and professional development aligned with the RLT Core Principles of Teaching and Learning.

Our Community & Parents

We do not work in isolation. Wolvercote Primary School is deeply embedded in a supportive, active wider community. We work in close partnership with a fantastic network of parents and carers who are highly involved in class life, class activities, and our incredibly supportive PTA. We listen to and collaborate with families to address barriers to learning, ensuring a seamless, positive relationship between home and school.

Education has the power to change lives, communities and society for the better. At RLT we believe that we can achieve more for our pupils, trainees, staff and communities by working together rather than alone. Schools in RLT are united by a common belief in the benefits of working together, and by our commitment to shared principles.

OUR VISION is for our schools and SCITT to improve rapidly, continuously and sustainably: to be better faster together.

OUR ‘WHY?’ is that children and young people ‘only get one go’ in school and therefore as part of RLT we aim to ensure the best possible ‘go’ for our pupils.

OUR ‘HOW?’ is through the highest support and challenge for our schools and each other, underpinned by our principles.

Our employees benefit from a wide variety of support including extensive  continuing professional learning and development opportunities, wellbeing and staff networks and access to Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (TPS and LGPS) for all staff. For more information on what it is like to work for the Trust, and the benefits you could access, please see our “Working in RLT” guide.

This role includes regulated activity relevant to children. 

The school reserves the right to consider and interview candidates ahead of the closing date if appropriate. An offer may be made to an exceptional candidate in this instance. 

If you would like to have a confidential conversation with Mandy Hayes, about the role, prior to application, then please email office@wolvercoteprimary.org or telephone 01865 558301.

The River Learning Trust and Wolvercote Primary School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism.   The Trust is required to conduct a variety of checks and online searches about you as part of their recruitment process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. It is an offence to apply for certain roles within schools if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

For all RLT Safer Recruitment Documentation candidates should click on the following link RLT Safer Recruitment Documents for Candidates. Please see our website for up to date policies including our Child Protection and Behaviour Policies. 

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. For further guidance for applicants click on this link List of offences that are not filtered