Lower School Assistant Teacher

THE AMERICAN SCHOOL IN LONDON; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An international educational institution in the City of London seeks a Lower School Assistant Teacher to support classroom teaching. The ideal candidate will assist in teaching, provide feedback, and engage in professional development. A background in early childhood education and strong communication skills are essential. This role requires a commitment to safeguarding children and contributing to an inclusive classroom environment.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children of elementary or early childhood age in a school setting.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development activities.
• A proven commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of children.

Responsibilities

• Assist in teaching Lower School children in small and large groups.
• Provide feedback to teachers for report cards and conferences.
• Liaise with other members of the teaching team to develop quality instruction.

Skills

Strong oral and written communication skills

Ability to work in a collaborative team-teaching environment

Demonstrable technology skills

Ability to take initiative

Education

Relevant qualifications or equivalent experience

Job description

Reports to: the Lower School Principal

Hours: Full-time

Contract: January - June 2026

The Lower School Assistant Teacher will prepare for, teach and assist classes of 20 children on average, alongside the lead classroom teacher. The main purpose of the role is to provide additional teaching support to the class and facilitate differentiated instruction to students in order to maximize their learning experience in the classroom environment. Enhancing teaching and learning is the primary objective of the role.

Summary of Major Responsibilities

• Assist in teaching Lower School children (4-10 year olds) in small and large groups, math, reading, writing, speaking and listening, science and activities intended to promote social and emotional development. This will involve solo teaching on occasions, team-teaching, teaching smaller break-out groups as well providing one to one support to individual students
• Participate in planning and preparing lessons with lead teachers: teachers who coach may need to plan lessons independently
• Provide feedback to teachers for report cards and conferences
• May be asked to plan, schedule and organize activities, field trips, transport, schedules, etc.
• Supervise and chaperone large groups of students for lunch, recess, field trips and transitions
• May be responsible for routine communications
• Liaise with other members of the teaching team, specialists and administration to develop the quality of instruction and student support.
• May be asked to prepare instructional materials and wall displays
• May be asked to edit and assist with production of class posts to asl.org, children’s texts and other publications
• Attend all team meetings and all relevant faculty meetings
• Engage in curricular and pedagogical professional development opportunities on and off campus
• Establish professional goals each year
• Participate in student placement meetings
• Participate actively in the life of the School, through attendance at events, committee membership and leadership of extracurricular activities
• Any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, as requested by the Lower School Principal/Assistant Principal

Essential qualifications/experience

• Relevant qualifications or equivalent experience
• Experience working with children of elementary or early childhood age in a school setting
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a collaborative team-teaching environment
• Demonstrable technology skills and proven ability to multi-task
• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development activities
• Ability to take initiative and to make professional judgments regarding student welfare, communication, logistics, and use of educational materials and methods
• A proven commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of children

Desirable qualifications/experience

• Experience teaching Writer's and Reader's Workshop model and mathematics with the Common Core Standards
• Experience teaching elementary-aged children in a similar school setting
• Credential, training, or qualifications in related field
• Training and experience in cultural competency initiatives to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom, department, and workplace

This position description is current at the date shown but following consultation may be changed to reflect or anticipate changes in the role that are commensurate with the job title and salary.

The American School in London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all trustees, employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All new appointments will be subject to appropriate checks: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS enhanced), Disqualification by Association Self-Declaration, Declaration of Criminal Record, checks against the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) Prohibition List (Teacher Status Checks) including Identity, Address, Date of Birth, a Full Employment History, Right to Work in the UK, overseas checks where applicable, at least 2 references (one with current or most recent employer, where appropriate) and original documentation of Qualifications (where appropriate). For positions into Senior Management a Prohibition from Management Check (s128 Directive) will also be undertaken.

All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected'. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. You may be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure & Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed.

Diversity and equality of opportunity are cornerstone values of ASL.