Year 4 Class Teacher (Maternity Cover)
- Organisation: Westminster Under School
- Location: South West London
- Tenure: Full-time / Temporary
- Closing Date: Wednesday 9 September 2026
We are currently seeking to fill the position of Year 4 Class Teacher (Maternity Cover).
Required for: January 2027 for one academic year (until January 2028)
Location: Chapter House, 22 Chapter Street - Westminster Under School
Contract: full-time, temporary (fixed-term contract for one academic year to cover a maternity)
Salary: Westminster 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 closing date for this role is midday on Wednesday 09 September 2026. Interviews will take place shortly after the closing date.
We are looking for a bright, caring and enthusiastic individual who will relish the opportunity to become a Year 4 Form Teacher to our pupils.
Junior Class Teachers teach English, Maths, History, Geography and PSHE. Pupils work significantly above their chronological age. Specialist teachers take the pupils for subjects such as Computing, Games and PE, French, Art and Music.
Subject specialisms will be taken into account and we would aim to reflect these in the successful candidate’s timetable. Interests in taking a lead in Science/ Maths would be of particular value, but are not pre-requisites.
Our Year 4 classes will be the final all boy cohort and will consist of two classes of 22 boys. This role is a maternity cover position from January 2027 to January 2028 as a Year 4 class teacher.
Westminster Under School is in a period of exciting change and expansion. This September, we will welcome our first co-educational cohort into Year 3, with three classes joining the school.
As the school continues to expand, we will have three Year 4 classes from September 2027. There may therefore be potential for this role to be extended into a permanent position, however this is not guaranteed.
This is an exciting time to join the Under School, as we look forward to our expansion to become fully co-educational school for children aged 4 to 13, from September 2026, and the successful post-holder will be a key part of this transition.
Reporting to the Head of Year 4.
Role Responsibilities:
Teaching and Learning
- Plan, prepare, teach and evaluate lessons, activities and learning and teaching strategies in line with Schemes of Work located on the Intranet and in line with the parallel class teacher.
- 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.
- Apply, where appropriate, IT capability to enhance learning and teaching.
- Contribute to, and maintain consistency with, internal and relevant external marking schedules and moderation procedures.
- Engage pupils fully in the assessment and self-evaluation process.
- Carry out a range of formative assessments of pupils’ attainment to acknowledge and inform progress.
- Record and report on pupil progress and achievements in accordance with the Junior Department’s requirements, including formal reporting points such as parents’ evenings and written reports.
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.
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.
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.
Westminster Under School is a friendly and welcoming place to work. There is a real sense of community here and staff members quickly become part of the rhythm of life, both inside and outside the classroom. Social events are regular and varied, with plenty of opportunity to socialise outside working hours. Support staff as much as teaching staff are encouraged to embrace the School’s day-to-day activities, whether that be attending a concert or a sports fixture.
At Westminster we will always select the best candidate for every position. We do know, however, that 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.
Downloads
We are currently seeking to fill the position of Year 4 Class Teacher (Maternity Cover).
Description
Required for: January 2027 for one academic year (until January 2028)
Location: Chapter House, 22 Chapter Street - Westminster Under School
Contract: full-time, temporary (fixed-term contract for one academic year to cover a maternity)
Salary: Westminster 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 closing date for this role is midday on Wednesday 09 September 2026. Interviews will take place shortly after the closing date.
We are looking for a bright, caring and enthusiastic individual who will relish the opportunity to become a Year 4 Form Teacher to our pupils.
Junior Class Teachers teach English, Maths, History, Geography and PSHE. Pupils work significantly above their chronological age. Specialist teachers take the pupils for subjects such as Computing, Games and PE, French, Art and Music.
Subject specialisms will be taken into account and we would aim to reflect these in the successful candidate’s timetable. Interests in taking a lead in Science/ Maths would be of particular value, but are not pre-requisites.
Our Year 4 classes will be the final all boy cohort and will consist of two classes of 22 boys. This role is a maternity cover position from January 2027 to January 2028 as a Year 4 class teacher.
Westminster Under School is in a period of exciting change and expansion. This September, we will welcome our first co-educational cohort into Year 3, with three classes joining the school.
As the school continues to expand, we will have three Year 4 classes from September 2027. There may therefore be potential for this role to be extended into a permanent position, however this is not guaranteed.
This is an exciting time to join the Under School, as we look forward to our expansion to become fully co-educational school for children aged 4 to 13, from September 2026, and the successful post-holder will be a key part of this transition.
Reporting to the Head of Year 4.
Role Responsibilities:
Teaching and Learning
- Plan, prepare, teach and evaluate lessons, activities and learning and teaching strategies in line with Schemes of Work located on the Intranet and in line with the parallel class teacher.
- 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.
- Apply, where appropriate, IT capability to enhance learning and teaching.
- Contribute to, and maintain consistency with, internal and relevant external marking schedules and moderation procedures.
- Engage pupils fully in the assessment and self-evaluation process.
- Carry out a range of formative assessments of pupils’ attainment to acknowledge and inform progress.
- Record and report on pupil progress and achievements in accordance with the Junior Department’s requirements, including formal reporting points such as parents’ evenings and written reports.
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.
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.
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.
Westminster Under School is a friendly and welcoming place to work. There is a real sense of community here and staff members quickly become part of the rhythm of life, both inside and outside the classroom. Social events are regular and varied, with plenty of opportunity to socialise outside working hours. Support staff as much as teaching staff are encouraged to embrace the School’s day-to-day activities, whether that be attending a concert or a sports fixture.
At Westminster we will always select the best candidate for every position. We do know, however, that 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.
