Full time, permanent, required from September 2025
We are seeking to appoint a qualified teacher to join us in September 2025. You will have a good track record in teaching to a high level with excellent results in attainment, progress and pastoral care. We are looking to appoint a passionate and enthusiastic professional with experience of teaching the full range of primary age groups from Year 1 phonics to Year 6 mathematics, who is forward thinking and demonstrates evidence-based pedagogical practices. Experience of leading a curriculum subject and/or subject specialism is desirable.
Ipswich Preparatory School, for pupils aged 4 –11, is the primary aged stage of Ipswich School and close links are enjoyed with the Senior School. Generally, there are two classes per year group, Reception to Year 6 and a day care nursery (The Lodge) which cares for some 100 children aged 3 months to the time the children join Reception.
The Prep School operates as one unit, from Reception to Year 6 with lessons on Mondays to Fridays. Whilst there are organisational differences between the ways in which school life is structured for ‘infants’ in Lower Prep and ‘junior’ pupils in Upper Prep, there is no formal separation of the school into two sections.
Pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum. Academic achievement is high and the School has particular strengths in art, music, drama and sport. All classes, with the exception of Years 4 to 6 are generally taught by their Form Teacher, although some subjects, such as Languages, Art, Computing, Games, Music and Science are taught by teachers specially appointed to teach that subject, throughout the school. The School has Learning Support staff, a school counsellor and a good number of teaching assistants.
The School enjoys a talented, committed and loyal teaching staff. The ratio of teachers to pupils is approximately 1:11. In addition to Form Teachers, there are specialist teachers for PE, Games, Music, Art, Languages, Science, Drama, Computing and Learning Support. Form teachers, in addition to subject specialists, take on subject leader roles.
All staff who teach at the School make contributions to school life outside their own specialisation as well as to our co-curricular programme. The School has a strong community feel and new members of staff invariably speak of the supportiveness and friendliness of their colleagues and the pupils.
The School ensures there is healthy non-contact time for teachers (typically 20%) and it has a main pay salary scale which mirrors but is more generous than that of the maintained sector. There is currently generous fee remission of fees for children (aged 5 and above) of teaching staff, providing there are vacancies and the children fulfil the usual entry requirements. Free lunch is provided in the School Dining Hall during term time when the kitchen is in operation, and staff are able to use the School’s swimming pool and fitness gym free of charge (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations).
APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS
You can download a and application form from our website or contact hr@ipswich.school / 01473 408300.
Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format please contact us.
Completed application forms, with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two referees; along with a letter of application, explaining your educational philosophy, teaching strengths and relevant personal interests, should be sent by 12 noon on Friday 25th April 2025 to Mrs Claire Jackson, Prep Head, Ipswich Preparatory School, 3 Ivry Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3QW or email: hr@ipswich.school. Interviews are scheduled to take place on 30th April and/or 1 May.
Visits to the school are welcome and should be arranged with Head’s PA, Mrs C Clarke prephead@ipswich.school
PLEASE NOTE
* Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School Policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request.
* Ipswich School’s employees are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people they are responsible for, or come into contact with. The post holder must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding Children Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out his/her duties, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School he/she must report any concerns to the School’s Senior Designated Person for Safeguarding (Matron for Senior School pupils, the Prep Deputy Head for Preparatory School pupils and The Lodge Day Nursery Manager for The Lodge).
* Applicants are asked to state if they have a D1 entitlement to drive a minibus, or be willing to take a D1 minibus test if required.
* Applicants are advised that in the interests of the health and safety of all its pupils and employees, Ipswich School operates a No Smoking / vaping Policy which prohibits smoking in any area of the School site.