Current Vacancies:

SENDCo / Assistant Head Teacher

We are seeking an exceptional leader to join our senior leadership team—someone who is passionate, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of need, thrives.

As our SENCO, you will shape and lead our whole-school approach to inclusion. You will champion the needs of pupils with SEND, ensuring high expectations, ambitious outcomes, and a culture where every child is valued for who they are and supported to become the very best they can be. You will work closely with teachers, support staff, external agencies, and families to secure provision that removes barriers and opens doors.

The role is specifically split between two of our schools: 

• St Mary’s Church of England Primary School and Nursery (SO14)

• Valentine Primary School and Nursery (SO19)

It will require travel and set days between the schools to ensure that our agenda for inclusion continues to be high. Both schools have had recent Ofsted inspections: St Mary’s (outstanding at the end of 2023) and Valentine (good in 2025). 

Classroom Teacher

This is not a school that stands still.

St Mary’s Church of England Primary School & Nursery is an outstanding school in the centre of Southampton with a simple and uncompromising mission: to accelerate the life chances of the children we serve.

Our staff stay because the work matters. Because the expectations are shared and high. And because the team around them believes deeply that every child deserves a champion.

Vacancies here are rare. When they arise, they are an opportunity to join a school that is ambitious for its children, serious about developing great teachers and determined to create opportunity for the community it serves.

At St Mary’s we believe every child deserves a champion. An adult who refuses to give up on them, who understands the power of connection and who insists they become the best version of themselves. That belief is not a slogan. It drives the way we teach, the way we lead and the way we support one another.

Our school sits in the heart of Southampton’s city centre and has served the community for more than 180 years. In our most recent inspection Ofsted judged the school Outstanding in every category. We are proud of that, but it is not the finish line. It is simply the standard we expect of ourselves.

This is a school with energy and ambition. Our curriculum is fully resourced with more than 800 sequenced lessons across the wider curriculum, reducing unnecessary workload and allowing teachers to focus on great teaching. Pupils are taught in ability groups for reading, writing and mathematics so instruction is sharp and progress is accelerated. In the afternoons children learn through projects, visits and experiences that broaden horizons. Every child visits London each year alongside a wide range of local visits that bring learning to life.

Opportunity matters here. Every pupil spends time gardening each week, learning to grow, create and think beyond the classroom. Technology is used to widen experiences, not replace them. One lesson might take pupils through the streets of ancient Rome using virtual reality, the next to the mountains of Machu Picchu. Our pupils also benefit from strong community partnerships, including sporting opportunities with our neighbour Southampton Football Club at St Mary’s Stadium.

What truly defines the school, however, is our staff. We recruit people for their belief in children, their determination and their willingness to keep improving their craft. 

Leaders are visible in classrooms and coaching is central to how we develop teachers. Professional development is real and purposeful, with opportunities for NPQs, specialist training and leadership development across the St Mary’s Partnership of Schools. Staff wellbeing matters too, which is why all staff receive a full subscription to the CALM wellbeing app for themselves and their household.

If you want a quiet, predictable role, this will not be the school for you. If you want to work with talented colleagues, teach children who deserve the very best and be part of a school that is ambitious for its community, this may be exactly the opportunity you are looking for.

We strongly encourage visits so you can see the school in action. Please contact recruitment@stmaryspri.org.uk to arrange a tour. Shortlisted candidates receive interview questions in advance so they can prepare and bring notes.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. St Mary’s follows safer recruitment practices in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

TLR opportunities are available for a candidate able to lead on our work in Oracy or Mathematics.

Closing Date: 28 May 2026

Early Years Practitioner - Level 2 or Level 3 - Pre-School Room

About our Nursery

Our nursery is a 60-place provision offering 30 morning and 30 afternoon places for pre-school children. Demand for places is consistently high and the setting remains at full capacity.

The nursery forms a vital part of the school community and lays the foundations for children’s learning, communication and social development. 

Children experience a carefully planned environment that blends structured teaching with purposeful play, ensuring strong early development in language, early mathematics, creativity and personal independence.

The Role

We are seeking a passionate and committed Early Years Practitioner who believes deeply in the potential of every child.

You will work as part of a highly supportive Early Years team to provide a nurturing, stimulating and safe environment where children can explore, learn and develop confidence. The role involves supporting children’s learning through purposeful play, modelling language and interaction, and contributing to the assessment and development of each child.

You will play an important role in building positive relationships with children, families and colleagues, ensuring that every child feels safe, valued and inspired to learn.

Investing in Our Staff

Great schools are built by great teams. Leaders at St Mary’s are visible, supportive and committed to developing staff.

Early Years practitioners benefit from:

•     High quality professional development

•     Opportunities to progress within the St Mary’s Partnership of Schools

•     Support from experienced Early Years leaders

•     Training that strengthens practice in language development, early literacy and child development

After School Club Lead

We are seeking a dedicated, enthusiastic and caring After School Club Lead to oversee the day-to-day running of our after school provision. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys working with children, creating a fun, safe and stimulating environment where pupils can relax, play and learn at the end of the school day.

The successful candidate will plan and deliver engaging activities, ensure the smooth operation of the club, and promote positive behaviour and wellbeing among all pupils.
 

After School Club Assistants

To support with our upcoming new and exciting after school provision we are looking for enthusiastic and caring After School Club Assistants. This is a fantastic opportunity for candidates who enjoy working with children, creating a fun, safe and stimulating environment where pupils can relax, play and learn at the end of the school day.

The successful applicants will ensure the smooth operation of the club, and promote positive behaviour and wellbeing among all pupils.

Recruitment Information

To ensure that St Mary's meets its commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children and young people, the following recruitment practices and procedures are used in compliance with all statutory guidance including Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025) and Disclosure and Barring Service code of practice.

Short-listing of candidates will be against the person specification of the post.

Prior to interview, the school will:

• Seek two references, one of which must be the current/ most recent employer, for all shortlisted candidates. 
• Undertake an 'online presence' check for all shortlisted candidates - including social media and wider google searches. Shortlisted candidates will be asked for social media handles to support us in narrowing these searches. Any concerns will be addressed with candidates.

All offers of employment are conditional until the satisfactory completion of the following mandatory pre-employment checks (KCSIE 2025, p63):

• Identity check and verification
• Enhanced DBS Check 
• Overseas Criminal Checks (where the candidate has lived or worked in another country for more than 3 months, since the age of 18)
• Right to Work in UK verification
• Verify candidate's mental and physical fitness to carry out their work duties.