Teaching Assistant (1pm - 3.20pm)

Court Lane Junior Academy; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Court Lane Junior Academy is seeking a caring Teaching Assistant to join our supportive school community in Portsmouth. You will support pupils with a passion for inclusive learning and help them access a wide range of activities and learning opportunities.

Working with the Class Teacher, you will assist one-to-one or small groups, manage resources, and help students with social, communication, physical, and speech and language needs. DBS check required.

Qualifications

• Support pupils one-to-one and in small groups.
• Assist the Class Teacher and prepare learning resources.
• Handle challenging behaviour with a firm but fair approach.
• Experience with children with additional needs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils on a one-to-one or small group basis, across a range of activities.
• Prepare and maintain resources to aid learning and engagement.
• Promote inclusive learning environments and high standards of behaviour.
• Develop effective relationships with children, families, staff and professionals.

Skills

Experience with additional needs

Flexible and reliable

Enthusiastic about learning

Inclusive environment

Education

ELSA qualification (advantage)

Job description

Position Description

An academy of 480 pupils, Court Lane Junior’s aim is to inspire children to be the very best they can be now and in the future with excellent teaching and enjoyable learning at the heart of what they do.

As a Teaching Assistant in our school, you will have a passion for every child’s learning and believe in enabling an inclusive environment for the benefit of all children. Joining our friendly and supportive team, we need flexible, reliable, and enthusiastic colleagues to support children with social communication, learning, physical, and speech and language needs. You will be an enthusiastic and resilient individual, preferably with experience of working with children with additional needs.

Assisting the Class Teacher, you will support pupils on a one-to-one or within a small group basis, across a wide range of activities and supported learning activities, including the preparation and maintenance of resources. You will need to be able to deal with challenging behaviour with a firm but fair approach. Being ELSA-qualified would be an advantage in supporting our pupils; however, it is not essential.

With a flexible, reliable and enthusiastic approach, you will be committed to developing effective working relationships with children, parents, staff and other professionals, to enable the very best support for children’s learning and development, whilst promoting excellent behaviour and high standards.

The successful candidate will also need to have an Enhanced DBS check as this role involves contact with children.

The University of Chichester Academy Trust

You will be part of The University of Chichester Academy Trust, which is uniquely positioned to make a difference in the local educational landscape. The Trust currently encompasses 17 academies, 2 Inclusion centres, and a School-Centred Initial Teacher Training base, all based in Hampshire, Portsmouth, and West Sussex. While we share a common vision and values, each academy has its own identity that contributes to its local community. The Trust is committed to valuing the uniqueness of each school.

Two-Week October Half Term

We have introduced a two-week October half-term across all our schools. This initiative is already making a positive impact, giving staff and pupils a valuable break during the long autumn term, reducing absence through illness, and supporting overall well‑being. It also brings greater consistency across our Trust, creating a more connected and efficient way of working. It’s just one example of how we prioritise our people and create a working environment where everyone can thrive.

Diversity and Inclusion

At the University of Chichester Academy Trust, we believe that diversity drives creativity, innovation, and excellence. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity, fostering an inclusive culture, and creating a community where everyone feels they belong. We particularly welcome applications from individuals who are underrepresented within our workforce, including those from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled individuals, LGBTQI+ individuals, and women—especially for senior leadership roles.

Safeguarding Commitment

We are dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our recruitment and selection practices will reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks, along with other relevant employment checks.