The Opportunity

Reading is a vibrant, economically thriving town in the heart of the Thames Valley—famed as a major UK digital technology hub, a center for historical heritage from its medieval abbey, and a major university town. We are seeking an ambitious, academically driven Year 5 Teacher to join a progressive community primary school. In this role, you will lead a bright upper Key Stage 2 cohort through a crucial transitional year, raising academic expectations in mathematics, literacy, and scientific inquiry while utilizing the town's rich history and technological profile to inspire global citizens.

The School

As a dedicated community primary school, we sit at the very heart of a diverse and proud neighbourhood. The school is renowned for its warm, welcoming, and inclusive ethos, combining high behavioural expectations with an exceptional pastoral care network. We implement highly structured, consistent school-wide routines that ensure classrooms remain calm, quiet, and productive spaces. We believe in respecting professional autonomy, giving our teachers the time, resources, and trust required to deliver impactful learning experiences.

The Year Group & Upper KS2 Framework

• You will join an experienced Upper Key Stage 2 team that prioritizes collaborative planning, shared resource creation, and moderation to minimize individual workload.

• The curriculum explicitly focuses on deepening conceptual understanding, moving students from concrete learning to abstract critical thinking in preparation for Year 6.

• Classrooms are light, modern, and equipped with up-to-date interactive technology and digital learning tools that support adaptive teaching strategies.

• The department values enrichment, regularly planning local field trips to Reading Museum, the rivers Kennet and Thames, and university-led STEM workshops to ground learning in real-world contexts.

Core Responsibilities

1. High-Challenge Primary Instruction: Planning and delivering high-quality, engaging lessons across the primary curriculum, with a strong focus on advanced reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, and creative writing.

2. Upper KS2 Progression: Scaffolding learning to build stamina, independent study habits, and emotional resilience as students transition toward upper primary expectations.

3. Data-Driven Success: Utilizing regular, low-stakes diagnostic assessments to identify learning gaps early, implementing targeted interventions to keep every child on a trajectory of progress.

4. Inclusive Classroom Leadership: Cultivating a respectful, highly focused classroom culture where clear routines are established with warmth and rigor.

5. Collaborative Partnerships: Maintaining positive, transparent communication with parents and carers regarding student progress, pastoral well-being, and academic targets.

The Successful Candidate We are looking for a dedicated primary generalist who loves curriculum delivery and has the structural skills to maintain a highly organized, positive learning environment. Your profile should include:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and an undergraduate degree in Education, Primary Teaching, or a specialized national curriculum subject area.

• Upper KS2 Expertise: Proven experience or a deep understanding of the learning and developmental needs of children within Upper Key Stage 2.

• Pedagogical Clarity: A talent for breaking down complex mathematical concepts, structural grammar, and scientific processes into clear, accessible steps.

• Team-Oriented Mindset: A reflective practitioner eager to contribute to shared planning pools, engage in peer professional development, and support the growth of the whole school.

Why Join Our Faculty?

• The distinct satisfaction of working within a community school setting where your professional input directly impacts the aspirations of local families.

• Comprehensive, evidence-based professional development focusing on cognitive science, mastery approaches to mathematics, and pathways into middle leadership.

• The exceptional lifestyle benefits of Reading—a bustling, well-connected town offering a brilliant standard of living, excellent shopping and riverside dining, and rapid direct rail links to London via the Elizabeth Line.

• A realistic, teacher-focused approach to workload that utilizes shared resource banks and streamlined feedback methods to protect your personal well-being.

How to Apply

Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.