Teaching Assistant

Salary: Grade 5, Scale Point 5-6: £6,839 - £6,948 per annum (subject to experience)*

Contract: Permanent, 11.5 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days)

*The salary quoted reflects the annual salary for the position at the time of advertising. Payment will be made in equal monthly instalments and will be adjusted at the start of employment, and again if employment ends partway through the school year, to ensure the correct salary is paid for work completed during the academic year.

We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and committed Teaching Assistant to join our supportive primary school team.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about helping children learn, grow and thrive. You will work closely with teachers to support pupils across the school, helping to create a positive, inclusive and engaging learning environment where every child can achieve their potential.

We are particularly interested in candidates who hold an ELSA qualification, which would be a valuable addition to this role and to the support we provide for our pupils.

The role will include:

• Working one to one or with small groups to support learning across curriculum
• Support pupils to achieve their potential
• Assist teachers in delivering tailored interventions and learning strategies
• Encourage confidence, independence and a love of learning
• Build positive relationships with pupils, staff and families
• Provide support for individual students inside and outside of the classroom to participate in activities
• Support students with emotional or behavioural problems and help develop their social skills

The successful candidate will:

• Have experience working with children in a school or support setting
• Be empatheic, patient and committed to inclusion
• Work collaboratively as part of a team
• Be flexible, proactive and able to use their initiative
• ELSA experience would be advantageous

For more information about our school, please click here.

To find out more about the benefits of working for SAST, click here

Should you wish to arrange a visit to view the School, please do not hesitate to contact the school office on office@sherborneabbey.dorset.sch.uk or on 01935 812318 who will be happy to arrange this for you.

SAST will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. In line with KCSIE guidance, this will be part of safer recruitment checks, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role may include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child. It will have contact with young people on a day-to-day basis. SAST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will have to meet the person specification and the post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

SAST recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a workforce which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. SAST values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010 SAST welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

This role is UK- based and your right to work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.