Teaching Assistant

Avonwood Primary School; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 9,900 - 12,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Personal day annually

CPD opportunities

Job summary

Avonwood Primary School in East Bournemouth is seeking a Classroom Teaching Assistant on a fixed-term contract to 16 July 2027, starting October 2026. Three days per week (Tue-Thu) 8.30am–3.15pm with a 30-minute lunch, term-time only (38 weeks).

You will support pupils under the Headteacher/SENDCo guidance, with EYFS experience preferred and GCSEs in Maths and English. We offer a friendly team, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English grade C/4 or above.
• Experience supporting children with special needs is desirable.
• EYFS experience and classroom support background.

Responsibilities

• Assist pupils in classes and small groups under supervision.
• Support students with special needs and/be part of the teaching team.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive learning environment.

Skills

Special needs support

EYFS experience

Classroom support

Initiative and judgement

Education

GCSE Maths and English (C/4+)

Job description

location_on Location Avonwood Primary School

credit_card Salary £10,985 gross annual salary (£26,131 FTE)

Avonwood Primary School is a standalone primary school for children aged 4-11 based in East Bournemouth in the picturesque county of Dorset. We share close links with Avonbourne Boys' and Girls' Academies, two 11-16 secondary schools and United Sixth Form, based next door to Avonwood.We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.Avonwood first opened its doors in September 2014 when we welcomed two classes of Foundation Stage children. In September 2015 we moved into our purpose-built brand-new school. Having grown organically year on year we now have classes in every year group. Having opened with just 42 children we now have 570. This rapid growth makes Avonwood a unique and exciting opportunity for any prospective staff looking to play a key role in the continuous development of our school.We are exceptionally fortunate to have access to outstanding facilities including a purpose-built stage, and extensive outdoor spaces that include our performance amphitheatre, allotment, pond wildlife area and forest school outdoor classroom provision. We also benefit from access to wider facilities at Avonbourne Boys' and Girls' Academies including design technology labs, art studios, large sports pitches, and a full-size climbing wall.Avonwood is an oversubscribed, highly popular school with an already impressive reputation. Our ambition is to be the school of choice for local families, providing an excellent education by inspiring wonder and intellectual curiosity through a genuine love of learning.Our educational philosophy is that school should cultivate the imagination, provoke intellectual curiosity, and develop social responsibility. This is achieved through the ongoing development and delivery of a knowledge-rich curriculum.We are #TeamAvonwood and look forward to showing you around our school.Avonwood is part of United Learning, a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life-changing education to children and young people across England. United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.

Job details

Salary £10,985 gross annual salary (£26,131 FTE)

3 days per week (Tuesday- Thursday) – 8.30am – 3.15pm with a 30min unpaid lunch break

Term Time only – 38wks (paid for 43.72wks)

This is an excellent opportunity to join our OUTSTANDING primary school and be part of England’s biggest Multi Academy Trust, United Learning.

Are YOU passionate about supporting pupils? Do YOU want to work at a supportive primary school and be part of a great team that values YOUR contribution? Avonwood was recently rated as OUTSTANDING by Ofsted in June 2024. So, what is stopping YOU from applying to be a Teaching Assistant?

About the role

We are looking to appoint a Classroom Teaching Assistant on a Fixed Term contract to 16 July 2027 starting in October 2026, depending on pre-employment checks.

The successful candidate will work within Avonwood as part of a team, under the general direction of the Headteacher who is responsible for the overall policy of the educational programme and for matters of control and discipline within the school.

Teaching Assistants at this level may work with whole classes, smaller groups, or be assigned to work with pupils who may have particular requirements or Education, Health and Care Plans. Ideally this role would suit someone with EYFS experience.

If you would like to know more about this role, please contact our front office team (01202 727910) and they will book a tour or organise a call back from the Headteacher / SENDCo.

Three full days are preferrable, but part time applications will be considered working mornings or afternoon. Please make this clear on your application form if you wish to be considered for part-time morning hours. Working days to be discussed at interview.

About You

We are looking to appoint individuals with the following attributes:

• highly motivated to support children with special needs to make progress and fulfil their potential.
• experience of classroom support, ideally EYFS.
• keen to work in a supportive learning environment
• enjoys being part of a hardworking and supportive staff team.

You must have:

• GCSE Maths and English grade C/4 or above
• a high degree of initiative and sound judgement when working with children and young people

You may have:

• Experience of working in a primary school.
• City & Guilds or equivalent qualifications and experience are desirable but not essential.

We can offer you :

• the opportunity to work as part of a supportive team
• one personal day every academic year

access to the Local Government Pension Scheme – Avonwood contribute 23.6% each month on top of your contribution!

• occupational sick pay, protecting you and your family
• access to our health care cash plan and rewards scheme after six months service.
• continuous Professional Development options that will be tailored to your needs.
• competitive maternity, paternity and adoption benefits .

Avonwood Primary is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. Therefore, all applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers.

An enhanced DBS check is requiredfor all successful applicants. To comply with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, all prospective employees will be required to supply evidence of eligibility to work in the UK.

Note – We reserve the right to interview and offer to a strong candidate prior to the closing date. It is strongly recommended that candidates submit their application as soon as possible.No further applications will be accepted once closed.

For more information

For more information about this role please contact our front office team (01202 727910) and they will book a tour or organise a call back from the Headteacher / SENDCo.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on Sunday 4 th October 2026.