Teaching Assistant

The Independent Schools Council; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

St Peter’s School is seeking an outstanding Junior School Teaching Assistant to join on a fixed-term basis for two terms, ending Easter 2027. The role supports pupils in accessing learning, including those with additional needs, and contributes to a nurturing, safe classroom environment.

Core hours are 08:15–16:00 with some variation to meet needs; total weekly hours reach 37, with 7 hours 15 minutes per day plus a 30-minute unpaid break. INSET and school events may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting pupils in learning.
• Ability to foster nurturing relationships and support pastoral needs.
• Willingness to participate in staff INSET training and trips.

Responsibilities

• Support individual children or small groups in accessing learning, including pupils with additional needs or emotional challenges.
• Deliver teacher-planned interventions in small groups under the direction of the class teacher.
• Assist with personal care and everyday classroom tasks including setting up activities and resource preparation.
• Monitor pupil progress and share observations with teachers to inform next steps.
• Support safeguarding and promote a safe, positive learning environment.

Job description

About the Role

St Peter’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment by always complying with the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. The successful applicant will be required to undergo statutory pre-employment checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Responsible to: Head of St Peter’s Junior School

Core Hours: 08:15-16:00 with one day per week ending at 17:00. To meet the needs of the school and in discussion with individual TAs, these hours may flex to include earlier/later starts and finishes. A usual working day will be 7-hours 15 minute day, plus a 30-minute unpaid break, with the additional hours to be worked in before or after school duties to total weekly working hours at 37

Working weeks: 35 weeks per year made up of 34 weeks of term time, 1 week of 2 days for INSET and three further days 3 days for other days of work, which might include attending one Open Event per academic year or days helping to set up with classrooms.

Salary/Scale: £21,578 p.a.- £23,798 p.a. (St Peter’s TA Pay Scale) dependent upon experience and qualifications.

St Peter’s Junior School is seeking to appoint an outstanding Junior School Teaching Assistant for a fixed term position. This role is to cover a period of two terms and is expected to end at Easter 2027.

Key Responsibilities:

Supporting Pupils

Support individual children or small groups in accessing learning, including pupils with additional needs or emotional challenges.

Foster nurturing and positive relationships so that children feel safe, valued, and seen.

Observe and respond to the needs of children, helping them to remain focussed and engaged.

Assist with personal care, especially in EYFS, including toileting and dressing where required.

Support children pastorally, responding with warmth, patience and empathy when emotional or behavioural needs arise.

Learning and Interventions

Deliver teacher-planned and guided interventions in small groups under the direction of the class teacher.

Use structured activities to stimulate engagement and deepen learning.

Monitor and share pupil progress with the teacher to inform next steps.

Assist with informal assessments and observations, particularly in the EYFS.

Classroom Support

Help to prepare, organise and maintain resources, displays, and learning environments under the direction of the teacher.

Support with daily prep work such as photocopying, setting up activities, and labelling.

Take part in EYFS observations and contribute to identifying next steps for learning.

Behaviour and Safeguarding

Model and reinforce the school’s behaviour expectations and charter in a calm, consistent way.

Actively supervise pupils during playtimes, swimming lessons, after-school care and other transitions, ensuring a safe and positive experience.

Be vigilant and responsive to safeguarding concerns and follow school protocols.

Collaboration and Communication

Participate in daily morning briefings when possible, with class teachers to understand the day’s priorities and pastoral needs.

Maintain clear and timely communication with the class teachers regarding pupil needs, parent updates, and routines.

Support positive home-school relationships, providing reassurance and clarity to parents while signposting queries to the teacher as appropriate.

Professional Development and School Life

Attend staff meetings specifically for teaching assistants, attend INSET training.

Contribute to planning conversations when invited, recognising your expertise while acknowledging planning remains the teacher’s responsibility.

Actively seek feedback and engage in self-reflection and improvement.

Teaching Assistants are required to attend trips that fall within the school day.

Trips that fall outside of the school day are voluntary.

Teaching Assistants are required to attend Open mornings and all Inset training.

What This Role Does Not Normally Include:

Planning and designing lessons or interventions.

Writing formal reports or leading meetings with parents.

Independently teaching the whole class except in exceptional, short-term circumstances.

General

Health & Safety - You have a legal duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others and you are expected to be familiar with, and adhere to, St Peter’s School’s Health and Safety policy.

School values – You have a duty to ensure your work, communication and approach conforms to the school’s core values and mission. You will need to be aware and comply with school rules, policies and procedures at all times including, but not limited to, those relating to safeguarding, conduct, equality and data protection.

St Peter's School strives to be diverse and inclusive. We encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the school. The school is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and pupils. This means that employees are treated fairly, irrespective of sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, gender, marital status or other reason. The post holder is expected to always comply with the provisions set out in law and the St Peter's policies on equality and diversity.

The school is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Note: This job description is not a comprehensive definition of the post and the post holder will be expected to undertake any other tasks commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the post. The job description will be reviewed as part of the cycle of appraisal, and it may be subject to modification or amendment at any time after consultation with the post holder.