Job Introduction

We are seeking a bright, caring and skilled Reception Class Teacher, who will relish the change to join our warm and welcoming team. The post-holder will be able to expertly deliver engaging and thoughtful lessons to our very able pupils in this new age group.  

Our new Pre-Prep Department will cultivate a love of learning, both through formal and child-initiated activities, and there will be plenty of time for opportunities to explore the outdoors, both on our new play balcony and on Vincent Square, our 13-acre private playing field. High-quality adult interactions will prepare our children for a stimulating and world-class education in Year 1 and beyond.  

As this is a new role and department, this is a unique and exciting opportunity to be a key part of the School’s development at a historic moment, as we also expand to be fully co-ed by 2030. 

The successful candidate will benefit from teaching a small class of approximately 16 pupils, with a full-time teaching assistant. They will work closely with the Head of Pre-Prep, who will be their partner teacher.  

Children work significantly beyond their chronological age at Westminster Under School, therefore experience of teaching Year 1 and 2 would be advantageous. Experience teaching in a Prep school environment would also be an advantage.  

The successful candidate will be invited into school in the Summer term (2026) for a few transition events.

Role Responsibility

• Teach Reception classes in line with the oversight and in line with the needs of the department as directed by the Head of Pre-prep 
• Be responsible to the Head of the Pre-Prep for all teaching duties and responsibilities.   
• Uphold the values and ethos of Westminster Under School and maintain them both inside and outside the classroom setting.   
• Contribute towards the preparation of programmes of work, half- termly planning and termly planning overviews, as directed by the Head of Pre-Prep/Master. 
• Provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment in which consideration is given to the individual development of all pupils. 
• Differentiate learning and teaching and associated resources in a manner that challenges and interests the pupils and is appropriate to their needs and skill levels. 
• Apply any recommendations and guidance for pupils with specific learning or welfare needs or disabilities, as directed by the SENDCo, or on the pupil’s personalised learning plan. 
• Set clear targets based on prior attainment, for pupils’ learning, providing updates to parents/guardians as necessary. 
• Provide a stimulating classroom environment, where resources can be accessed appropriately by all pupils.   
• Maintain order and good behaviour management among pupils and safeguard their health and safety. 
• Undertake all other classroom duties, including out-of-school activities and outings, care of the environment and corridor/class displays effectively.    
• Take part in and contribute effectively towards weekly departmental and staff meetings to discuss curriculum, pastoral, and other matters.   
• Supervise the afterschool club provision on a rotational basis. 
• Assist with Open Days, including 4+ Open Days. 
• Assist with 4+ Assessment Days. 
• Plan for, organise and direct the work of the designated Reception Teaching Assistant within the class setting.   

Pastoral care and pupil management   

• Put pupils at the centre of everything you do, taking a pastoral interest in pupils around the school environs, so that they feel valued and cared for.   
• Monitor the work of class pupils, providing guidance, advice and support, and fostering self-esteem.   
• Motivate pupils through praise, while being firm but fair.  
• Actively maintain the high standards of behaviour and uniform of pupils in the classroom and in all school locations and activities.   
• Write and maintain relevant records for individual pupil files and writing reports.   
• Communicate, respond to and consult with parents on a regular basis maintaining records, as appropriate.    
• Communicate and consult with other departments or members of staff to implement recommendations, policies or guidance. 

All teachers and other staff are expected to:  

• Promote and support the School’s Aims and Vision and School Development Plan. 
• Adhere to and support the School’s policies and procedures.  
• Accept responsibility for the welfare and care of all pupils, at all times.  
• Undertake break and supervisory duties, as designated by the Senior Management Team.  
• Cover classes for absent colleagues, as directed by Senior Management Team.  
• Attend staff meetings, parents’ evenings and other meetings and school events, such as the Carol Service and open days, outside normal hours.  
• Attend relevant school trips, normally including one residential visit per year.  
• Undertake any other duties or tasks as the Master, the Deputy Master or the Governing Body may reasonably require.  
• Engage positively in and contribute to INSET activities offered by the School.   
• Be involved in new initiatives within the School as part of ongoing professional development.  
• Take an active interest in maintaining subject knowledge, learning networks and current educational research. 

Any additional questions should be directed in the first instance to the Head of Pre-Prep, Selbi Fryer (Selbi.fryer@westminster.org.uk)  

The Ideal Candidate

Please refer to the attached person specification for further details.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Westminster Under School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Package Description

Required for: September 2026

Location: Vincent Square - Westminster Under School

Contract: full-time, permanent

Salary: Westminster Under School has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who are shortlisted. 

The deadline for applications is midday on Friday 31st October 2025. Interviews will take place in-person shortly after the closing date.

About the School

Working at Westminster Under School

Westminster Under School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of around 292 pupils, 43 teaching staff and 50 support staff.

Our staff are friendly and welcoming and all new teachers quickly become part of the rhythm of life here, both inside and outside the classroom. Social events are regular and varied, with plenty of opportunity to socialise outside working hours.

It also does not matter where you come to us from. Some teachers come to us straight from university or having just taken a PGCE. Some have taught in independent schools before while others come from the state sector, or another industry altogether. The common ground is that all our teachers have a great knowledge and love for their subject and are willing to be fully involved in the life of the School and the lives of the children who come here.

At Westminster Under School we will always select the best candidate for every position. However, we know we can only truly choose the best person on every occasion if a broad and diverse pool of candidates see the job advertised and are encouraged to apply.

As such, we continue to work on how our job roles are encountered, and particularly welcome applications from groups who have traditionally been underrepresented here. Westminster Under School is for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We hope you are encouraged to apply.

The School

Westminster Under School is a happy, ambitious, nurturing and inspiring world-class preparatory education for seven to 13 year olds. Pupils who love to learn are offered a supportive, dynamic and inspirational environment to fuel their curiosity. 

Located in the heart of London, the School overlooks the beautiful school playing fields in Vincent Square and is just a few moments’ walk from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It is closely connected to Westminster School; in 1943, Westminster expanded its educational scope by forming the Under School, and the two schools share the same Governing Body and the same ethos of a liberal education. 

Westminster Under School's curriculum is broad and diverse, aiming to foster a sense of wonder and inquisitiveness in children and encourage independent thought. The teaching programme goes above and beyond the National Curriculum and teachers are not tightly bound by syllabus. Pupils are taught a wide range of subjects by expert teachers who embrace opportunities for growth and promote diverse thinking, and who encourage them to ask questions about the world around them. 

While the School's standard of our education is of the highest quality, the School’s focus is not only on academic achievement. Westminster pupils receive a full and rounded education that includes sport, the arts and many opportunities to engage in community outreach; pupils frequently take part in concerts, plays and in both internal and external competitions, and the School hosts festivals and events throughout the year. Like its older counterpart, Westminster Under School is fully committed to each pupil’s spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and wellbeing – with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies – and to prepare young people for fulfilled private and public lives.

From September 2026, Westminster Under School will have opened its brand new pre-prep for girls and boys at 4+ and girls will have joined boys in Years 3 and 7, at the 7+ and 11+ entry points. By 2030, with the introduction of girls into Year 9 at Westminster School in 2028, all year groups across the two schools, from ages four to 18, will be fully co-educational, reflecting the School’s dedication to inclusivity and excellence.

Westminster School