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

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

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS/Teacher Pension

Holiday entitlement

Wellbeing support

Lifestyle Savings discounts

Blue Light card eligibility

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Dorset Council is recruiting a Classroom Teaching Assistant for Wimborne First School, to support EYFS learners during term-time. The role involves working with individuals, groups, and pupils with additional needs, alongside a dedicated teaching team.

Applicants should be prepared for lunch-duty responsibilities and to contribute to safeguarding and inclusive practices. Excellent training and progression opportunities are available within a supportive trust network.

Qualifications

• Supports the teacher by working with individuals or groups to support learning and development.
• 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 children, promoting respect and inclusion.
• Contributes to evaluation, review and planning discussions with the teacher and Inclusion Lead.
• Communicates clearly, calmly and professionally, maintaining composure under pressure.
• Offers a fair and consistent approach to managing behaviour in line with school policies.
• Helps, supports and motivates children, clarifying instructions and encouraging independent learning.
• Is a committed team player, motivated to support children's independence and ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Supports the teacher by working with individuals or groups to support learning and development.
• May work with whole classes, smaller groups or particular pupils.
• Includes a 30-minute lunch duty.
• Contributes to creating an inclusive, safe and nurturing learning environment.

Skills

Small-group support

Individual support

Safeguarding/confidentiality

Relationship building

Planning discussions

Clear communication

Behaviour management

Motivation and independence

Team player

Job description

About the role

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 5SCP 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 Schoolare 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.

Further Information

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

About Us

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.