Early Years Teaching Assistant Level 3 - Mereside Primary Academy

Fcat; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension

Flexible working hours

Family leave options

Health support services

Cycle to work

Job summary

Mereside Primary Academy is recruiting an Early Years Teaching Assistant Level 3 to support children aged 2-11. The role is a fixed-term, part-time position (33 hours) TT + 5 days, with a pro rata salary of £20,990 to £22,373 per annum.

Join Team FCAT and contribute to a caring school environment within the Fylde Coast Academy Trust. Closing date is 2 November 2026 at 9:00am; interview date to be confirmed. For questions, contact [e-mail].

Qualifications

• To work with children, as part of a professional team and to assist with development of Early Years provision.
• To act in accordance with FCAT’s policies and procedures.
• To adhere to FCAT’s safeguarding and health and safety policies.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for leading and managing play, care and learning, responding to practical problems using own initiative.
• Ensure standards are met at all times and support development and regular review of policies and procedures to be followed.
• Communicate with early years pupils to encourage social, educational and physical development with empathy and sensitivity.
• Liaise with parents/carers to exchange information and support pupil progress.
• Supervise and help organise apprentices or other learners in the provision of activities.
• Develop and maintain planning/learning activities, observation, assessment procedures and early years policies with other staff.
• Maintain and update pupil records and ensure safeguarding requirements are met.

Job description

Early Years Teaching Assistant Level 3 - Mereside Primary Academy

Academy: Mereside Primary Academy

Salary: NJC Pay Scale Grade D, Points 7 to 11

Closing date for applications:2 November 2026, 9.00am

Contract: Fixed-Term until 31/08/2027, Part time (33 hours), TT + 5 days

Salary: NJC, Grade D, Points 7 to 11 on the NJC Pay Scale

Pro rata salary will be £20,990 to £22,373 per annum

Join Team FCAT

Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT) was established in 2012. Our trust aims to ensure first class learning opportunities for all young people across the Fylde Coast and across Lancashire. The trust has grown to include 10 academies with primary, secondary and all through as well as the Central Services and School Improvement team. Our values of excellence, integrity and resilience guide us to be best we can be. Learners are at the heart of what we do and their outcomes and successes are what drive us.

As a Multi-Academy Trust we work in partnership with educational institutions locally to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, which is critical to our culture of continuous improvement. Full information about the trust and its work can be found on our website www.fcat.org.uk

About Mereside Primary Academy

Mereside Primary Academy caters for children aged 2-11 in a large, modern building located in spacious grounds. As a school we seek to provide an all-round education for children in a calm and nurturing environment. We have the highest expectations of pupil attainment, teacher performance and parental involvement and we encourage everyone to strive for excellence, in order to achieve potential.

We pride ourselves in knowing our children incredibly well and use this knowledge to motivate, encourage and care for them throughout their time at our school. Children here are at the heart of all we do and we continually strive to help each child find their strengths and talents so that they will flourish and be challenged. “The school is ambitious for pupils to achieve well” (Ofsted July 2024)

At Mereside, our motto is ‘Learning Together, Achieving Together’ which demonstrates our commitment with pupils, parents, staff, governors and the local community to nurture a culture of lifelong learning for all. Our children have access to creative, sporting, musical and cultural opportunities with a variety of extra-curricular activities. “This school is central to the local community that it serves. Pupils are happy and enjoy coming to school…pupils trust their teachers to care for them, including when they need comfort or reassurance” (Ofsted July 2024)

All of our work revolves around our three school ‘bees’ which includes our own hive and is incorporated throughout our Mereside Way which both children and staff live by. ‘Be kind, Be safe, Be ready’ is implemented every minute, every day and supported by our very strong pastoral team who ensure that the care, guidance and support our children receive is second to none and enables all children to be ready for their next stage of education. “Pupils behave well during lessons and around school. Staff encourage them to behave sensibly and to treat others with respect…pupils’ behaviour is addressed sensitively and effectively” (Ofsted July 2024).

Why choose FCAT?

• Ongoing support and development in your role
• Automatic pay progression annually for teaching and support staff
• 25% discount for FCAT in house Breakfast and After School Club provisions
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) - employer contributions above 13%
• Flexible working hours - full time/part time or term time only supporting longer holidays
• A range of generous family leave options and pay
• 24/7 access to free health support services, including an online GP
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free annual flu vaccine
• Free eye tests* (*conditions apply)

Closing time and date for applications is 9am on Monday 2 nd November 2026

Interview and Assessment date is TBC

For any questions regarding the vacancy please contact Maria Lydon, at [e-mail]

The Fylde Coast Academy Trust is committed to equality of opportunity for all as well as safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners, staff and visitors. All staff are carefully selected using recruitment and selection procedures that comply with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Following shortlisting this may include an online search and following an offer an enhanced DBS clearance.

Other Information

Teaching Assistant Level 3 (Early Years) - Job Description & Person Specification

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• To work with children, as part of a professional team and to assist with development of Early Years provision.
• To act in accordance with FCAT’s policies and procedures.
• To act as a role model and work in accordance with the Trust values: pride, ambition, respect, resilience, integrity and excellence.
• To encourage and promote non discriminatory behaviour and ensure equality and diversity is sustained within FCAT and our academies.
• To ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations and maintain confidentiality in your working practices each day.
• To ensure compliance with FCAT’s Health and Safety Policy at all times.
• To adhere to FCAT’s Safeguarding policy and procedures to ensure that the duty of care for all staff, including yourself to protect children and young people is maintained.
• Any other tasks and responsibilities reasonably appropriate to this post and grade.
• To attend mandatory training and participate in performance development as required.
• To work in support of the Team FCAT Work and Wellbeing Charter.
• 1. Takes responsibility for leading and managing play, care and learning responding to practical problems using own initiative;
• 2. Ensure standards are met at all times and support the development and regular review of policies and procedures to be followed;
• 3. Ensure that children have access to appropriate activities to support their physical, emotional, social and mental;
• 4. Communicates with early years pupils to encourage social, educational and physical development and acceptable behaviour with empathy and sensitivity;
• 5. Liaise and establish positive relationships with parents / carers in order to exchange information;
• 6. Supervise and help organise apprentices or other learners in the provision of activities;
• 7. Develop and maintain appropriate planning / learning activities, observation and assessment procedures and early years policies in conjunction with other early years staff;
• 8. Manage individual development plans (such as Individual Educational Plans) for SEN children;
• 9. Maintain and update pupil records;
• 10. Ensure compliance with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety, security, safeguarding and confidentiality.
• Individuals in this role may also:
• 1. Help to prepare for OFSTED inspections and action any recommendations that may result from inspection;
• 2. Oversee supervision of children at meal times;
• 3. Accountable / responsible to a teacher / early years professional for the supervision of learning activities;
• 4. Responsible for the careful and safe use and cleanliness of equipment and consumables; also for recording activities and for the maintenance and updating of pupil records.