EYFS Teaching Assistant Level 2 (Fixed Term Maternity Cover) at Wimborne First School & Nursery

Dorset Council; Nursling; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 20,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Training & development

Holiday entitlement

Discounts

Blue Light card

Job summary

Wimborne First School seeks a Classroom Teaching Assistant to join their EYFS team. You will support learning, work with individuals or groups, and assist with assessments and planning. The successful candidate will promote safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusivity while collaborating with teachers and the Inclusion Lead.

You will join a dedicated team in a nurturing school environment that values professional development and a strong ethos of care and high expectations for every child.

Qualifications

• Has proven experience working with children, including those with additional or special educational needs.
• Demonstrates safeguarding practices and confidentiality.
• Establishes supportive relationships and promotes inclusive ethos.
• Contributes to evaluation, review and planning with teaching staff.

Responsibilities

• Supports the teacher by working with individuals or groups of children to support their learning and development.
• Communicates clearly and professionally, maintaining composure under pressure.
• Helps and motivates children, encouraging independent learning and achieving targets.
• Works as a committed team member, supporting professional development.

Skills

Classroom support

SEN experience

Safeguarding

Communication

Team player

Education

Relevant childcare/education experience

Job description

Contract

31.25 hours per week, term time only (38 weeks per year)

Monday – Friday 8.30 – 3.15pm with 30 minute unpaid lunch break

Fixed term until October 2027

Salary

From £18,791 - £19,520 per annum (actual)

Grade 5 SCP 5 £26,427 to 6 £26,846 per annum full time equivalent

Application Deadline

Monday 5th October 2026

Interview Date

Friday 9th October 2026

Start Date

November 2026

Wimborne First School and Nursery is an, oversubscribed school in Wimborne, Dorset, ranging from Nursery up to Year 4. We are very proud of our school, the staff and its ethos. In our school you will always find happy, confident and motivated children and approachable, professional and committed staff. We believe in creating a nurturing learning environment where the children are aspirational about their achievements and value responsibility. The whole team are united and dedicated towards ensuring our children have the best learning experience during their time at school.

Our school is a new building, and our outside play environment is a very special part that has been developed to support and inspire learning, with a large playground, extensive playing field and a pond to further enhance outdoor learning.

Through our values: Nurturing, Responsible and Aspirational, we aim to create an environment where children feel safe, valued and empowered to grow through nurturing their hearts and minds. Through trust and guidance, we enable every child to make thoughtful choices and become respectful and responsible citizens within our school and wider community. We believe every child is unique and capable and we promote children's natural curiosity and inspire them to aim high.

You will be joining a dedicated team that is passionate about making a difference and committed to nurturing the whole child. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to shape learning experiences that are creative, inclusive, and meaningful. We are committed to the professional development and wellbeing of our staff. We offer high-quality training, mentoring, and opportunities for career progression.

Wimborne First School is in the Hillary Partnership of Hamwic Education Trust (HET); a large, fast-paced multi-academy trust with currently 37 schools across the South Coast: Portsmouth, Southampton, Poole and Dorset. The Hillary Partnership is a multi-academy partnership based in Poole and Dorset. The partnership enables local schools to work together to develop a strong education for all our children.

Role Summary

Wimborne First School are seeking to appoint a Classroom Teaching Assistant within our EYFS year group. This is an exciting opportunity to join a happy and inclusive school community, working within a dedicated team committed to supporting every child to thrive.

You may be required to work with whole classes, smaller groups or be assigned to work with particular pupils who may have particular requirements or Statements of their Special Needs. This role includes a 30 minute lunch duty.

We Are Seeking a Professional Individual Who

• Supports the teacher by working with individuals or groups of children to support their learning and development
• Has proven experience working with children, including those with additional or special educational needs
• Demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding practices and confidentiality
• Establishes supportive, caring and secure relationships with the child/ children, promoting respect, self-esteem and a positive, inclusive whole school ethos
• Contributes to evaluation, review and planning discussions with the teacher, Inclusion Lead and other members of the support team
• Communicates clearly, calmly and professionally, maintaining composure and sound judgement under pressure.
• Offers a fair and consistent approach to managing behaviour and individual needs in line with school policies and procedures
• Helps, supports and motivates the children, clarifying instructions, encouraging independent learning and behaviour and enabling learning targets and outcomes to be achieved
• Is a committed team player, motivated to support children’s independence and engage in ongoing professional development.

What We Offer You

• An opportunity to be part of a collaborative team with a shared vision of excellence
• A real career path in a thriving and respected organisation
• Flexible working approach, where possible
• Excellent training and development programmes and opportunities
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme / Teacher Pension Scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement, increasing with length of service (support staff)
• Access to our benefits portal offering a full range of discounts available through Lifestyle Savings
• Access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme, this includes free confidential telephone and face to face counselling for employees and family members
• Access to financial wellbeing support through a company that provides comprehensive guidance on all things mortgage related
• Eligible for a Blue Light card

Hamwic Education Trust (HET) are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of our pupils and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes enhanced criminal record and barring checks, scrutiny of work and training history, robust referencing, and other vetting checks. Successful candidates will also be subject to online searches.

Our safeguarding system is underpinned by a range of policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across HET.

All HET employees are required to undergo continuous professional development to maintain safe working practices and to safeguard our pupils.

About Hamwic Education Trust

HET is fully committed to developing an outstanding workforce. We are a friendly and supportive community of professionals working hard to ensure that our schools are enabling children to grow and develop for the future.

We have talented staff working in leadership, teaching and support roles throughout our schools and committed professionals working in the Managed Services team covering education, safeguarding, HR, IT, finance and estates. This experienced team supports our schools and is responsible for the successful delivery of our multi-academy trust.

As an employer, we support our staff to grow through continuing professional development and there is a range of apprenticeships and other opportunities available throughout the Trust to extend your knowledge, skills and career prospects.

HET celebrates the uniqueness of our pupils, our staff and our schools and we aim for everyone to achieve their full potential through the pathways of opportunities available.

HET recognises that by valuing and promoting equal opportunities in employment for all employees and job applicants and avoiding unlawful discrimination in employment and delivery of services, we will be able to deliver first class education and value the differences our workforce brings to HET.