Prep School Teaching Assistant

Ipswich School; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Ipswich School seeks a dedicated teaching assistant to support pupils ages 4-11 in a collaborative and vibrant environment. The role emphasizes the importance of strong communication and organizational skills to foster student confidence and engagement. The ideal candidate will contribute actively to both classroom activities and school life, enhancing the educational experience for all pupils.

Benefits

Free lunch during term time

Use of swimming pool and fitness gym

Generous fee remission for staff children

Access to wellbeing app for staff

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in a school environment preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills essential.
• Enthusiastic and willing to support the school's activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistant support primarily for Key Stages 1 and 2.
• Foster good relationships with learners to build confidence.
• Contribute actively to the full life of the school.

Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Flexibility

Job description

Full-time, permanent, required from September 2025

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, well organised, willing and flexible person to primarily provide teaching assistant support, working with our pupils across Key Stages 1 and 2.

With your strong communication skills and a caring nature, you will establish good working relationships with learners and enable them to build and develop their confidence. You should ideally have experience in this area and be willing to contribute to the full life of our busy school.

Ipswich Preparatory School, for pupils aged 4 –11, is the primary aged stage of Ipswich School and close links are enjoyed with the Senior School. Generally, there are two classes per year group, Reception to Year 6 and a day care nursery (The Lodge) which cares for some 100 children aged 3 months to the time the children join Reception.

The Prep School operates as one unit, from Reception to Year 6 with lessons on Mondays to Fridays. Whilst there are organisational differences between the ways in which school life is structured for ‘infants’ in Lower Prep and ‘junior’ pupils in Upper Prep, there is no formal separation of the school into two sections.

Pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum. Academic achievement is high and the School has particular strengths in art, music, drama and sport. All classes, with the exception of Years 4 to 6 are generally taught by their Form Teacher, although some subjects, such as Languages, Art, Computing, Games, Music and Science are taught by teachers specially appointed to teach that subject, throughout the school. The School has Learning Support staff, a school counsellor and a good number of teaching assistants.

The School enjoys a talented, committed and loyal teaching staff. The ratio of teachers to pupils is approximately 1:11. In addition to Form Teachers, there are specialist teachers for PE, Games, Music, Art, Languages, Science, Drama, Computing and Learning Support. Form teachers, in addition to subject specialists, take on subject leader roles.

All staff who teach at the School make contributions to school life outside their own specialisation as well as to our co-curricular programme. The School has a strong community feel and new members of staff invariably speak of the supportiveness and friendliness of their colleagues and the pupils.

The School ensures there is healthy non-contact time for teachers (typically 20%) and it has a main pay salary scale which mirrors but is more generous than that of the maintained sector. There is currently generous fee remission of fees for children (aged 5 and above) of teaching staff, providing there are vacancies and the children fulfil the usual entry requirements. Free lunch is provided in the School Dining Hall during term time when the kitchen is in operation, and staff are able to use the School’s swimming pool and fitness gym free of charge (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations).

HOURS OF WORK

• This is a permanent post, subject to completion of a 6 month probationary period.
• Hours: 8:30am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday during Ipswich School term time.
• All Teaching Assistants are required to work on Open Morning on one Saturday (usually) in September each year.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• The starting salary for the hours as described is dependent on skills and experience starting from £17,458 and can be discussed further at interview
• The annual salary quoted includes statutory holiday pay. Annual leave may only be taken outside of Ipswich School term times.
• After 3 months’ service and/or in line with workplace pension legislation, you will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme with 10% employer contributions, and you will receive 3x death in service cover.
• You will have access to Smarthealth, the School’s wellbeing app for staff which offers 24/7 GP access and mental health support.
• Free lunch is provided in the Senior School Dining Hall during term time when the kitchen is in operation.
• Staff are able to use the School’s swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations).
• After 3+ years’ service, support staff are eligible for staff fee remission.

APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS

We would encourage you to download a full job description and application form from the links below or contact [e-mail] / 01473 408300.

Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format please contact us.

Completed application forms, with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two referees; along with a letter of application, explaining your educational philosophy, teaching strengths and relevant personal interests, should be sent by 12 noon on Monday 23 June 2025 to Mrs Lucy Southgate, Prep Deputy Head, Ipswich Preparatory School, 3 Ivry Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3QW or email: [e-mail] .

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 25 June and/or Thursday 26 June 2025.

• Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School Policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request.

Ipswich School is a Registered Charity, No 310493. VAT reg: 479 7245 36

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