Teaching Assistant - Hillbourne Primary School

BCP Council; Poole; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative team

Career progression

Flexible working

Wellbeing day

Training & development

LGPS

Generous holiday entitlement

Benefits portal

Wellbeing support

Financial wellbeing

Blue Light card

Job summary

Hillbourne Primary School in Poole, Dorset, seeks a Teaching Assistant to join a dedicated team. The role is 30 hours per week, term time only (38 weeks per year), with a pro rata salary aligned to Grade D SCP 5-6. Start date 1 September 2026.

You will support learning, work with pupils including those with additional or special educational needs, and contribute to a nurturing, inclusive school ethos. Ongoing professional development and wellbeing benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Has proven experience working with children, including those with additional or special educational needs
• Demonstrates safeguarding practices and confidentiality
• Establishes supportive, caring relationships with children and promotes inclusive ethos
• Communicates clearly, calmly and professionally, maintaining composure under pressure
• Committed team player with willingness to ongoing professional development

Responsibilities

• Support the teacher by working with individuals or groups of children to support learning and development
• Work within the school as part of a team under direction of Headteacher or Inclusion Leader
• May work with whole classes, small groups or specific pupils with statements of special needs
• Help, support and motivate children, encouraging independent learning and meeting targets
• Contribute to evaluation, reviews and planning discussions with teachers and support staff

Job description

Job Details

Hillbourne Primary School Website
Hours
Contract:30 hours per week, term time only (38 weeks per year)Permanent
Salary:Grade D SCP 5 - 6, between £17,916 to £18,697 per annum pro rata (£26,427 to £26,846 per annum full time equivalent)
Application deadline:Midnight Sunday 12th July 2026
Interview date:Thursday 16th July 2026
Start Date:1st September 2026

Hillbourne Primary School is a happy and inclusive school for children aged 4-11 years old located in the Broadstone area of Poole, Dorset. We strongly believe in working together as a team and welcome all children and their families to become part of our school community. It is our aim and belief that all children will thrive with our core values; Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Safe. All three core values are understood by all, demonstrated by all and driven by all.

The team at Hillbourne Primary School is passionate about equipping our unique children with the essential knowledge and skills they need for their next stage in education and beyond. We are delighted to share the report from our latest Ofsted inspection in February 2025, that judged our school to be Good overall with Outstanding 'Personal Development' and 'Leadership and Management'. The inspectors commented that ‘Exceptional leadership at all levels underpins the success of the school’.

You will be joining a dedicated team that is passionate about making a difference and committed to nurturing the whole child. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to shape learning experiences that are creative, inclusive, and meaningful. We are committed to the professional development and wellbeing of our staff. We offer high-quality training, mentoring, and opportunities for career progression.

Hillbourne Primary is in the Hillary Partnership of Hamwic Education Trust (HET); a large, fast paced multi-academy trust with currently 37 schools across the South Coast: Portsmouth, Southampton, Poole and Dorset. The Hillary Partnership is a multi-academy partnership based in Poole. The partnership enables local schools to work together to develop a strong education for all our children.

Role Summary

Hillbourne Primary School are seeking to appoint a Teaching Assistant. This is an exciting opportunity to join a happy and inclusive school community, working within a dedicated team committed to supporting every child to thrive.

• Working within the school as part of a team, under the general direction of the Headteacher or Inclusion Leader, who will be responsible for the overall policy of the educational programme and for matters of control and discipline within the school
• You may be required to work with whole classes, smaller groups or be assigned to work with particular pupils who may have particular requirements or Statements of their Special Needs
• Supports the teacher by working with individuals or groups of children to support their learning and development
• Has proven experience working with children, including those with additional or special educational needs
• Demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding practices and confidentiality
• Establishes supportive, caring and secure relationships with the child/ children, promoting respect, self-esteem and a positive, inclusive whole school ethos
• Contributes to evaluation, review and planning discussions with the teacher, Inclusion Lead and other members of the support team
• Communicates clearly, calmly and professionally, maintaining composure and sound judgement under pressure
• Offers a fair and consistent approach to managing behaviour and individual needs in line with school policies and procedures
• Helps, supports and motivates the children, clarifying instructions, encouraging independent learning and behaviour and enabling learning targets and outcomes to be achieved
• Is a committed team player, motivated to support children’s independence and engage in ongoing professional development

What we offer you

• An opportunity to be part of a collaborative team with a shared vision of excellence
• A real career path in a thriving and respected organisation
• Flexible working approach, where possible
• Wellbeing day (trial for 2025/26)
• Excellent training and development programmes and opportunities
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement, increasing with length of service
• Access to our benefits portal offering a full range of discounts available through Lifestyle Savings
• Access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme, this includes free confidential telephone and face to face counselling for employees and family members
• Access to financial wellbeing support through a company that provides comprehensive guidance on all things mortgage related
• Eligible for a Blue Light card

About Hamwic Education Trust

HET is fully committed to developing an outstanding workforce. We are a friendly and supportive community of professionals working hard to ensure that our schools are enabling children to grow and develop for the future. We have talented staff working in leadership, teaching and support roles throughout our schools and committed professionals working in the Managed Services team covering education, safeguarding, HR, IT, finance and estates. This experienced team supports our schools and is responsible for the successful delivery of our multi-academy trust. As an employer, we support our staff to grow through continuing professional development and there is a range of apprenticeships and other opportunities available throughout the Trust to extend your knowledge, skills and career prospects. HET celebrates the uniqueness of our pupils, our staff and our schools and we aim for everyone to achieve their full potential through the pathways of opportunities available. HET recognises that by valuing and promoting equal opportunities in employment for all employees and job applicants and avoiding unlawful discrimination in employment and delivery of services, we will be able to deliver first class education and value the differences our workforce brings to HET.

Hamwic Education Trust (HET) are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of our pupils and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes enhanced criminal record and barring checks, scrutiny of work and training history, robust referencing, and other vetting checks. Successful candidates will also be subject to online searches.

All HET employees are required to undergo continuous professional development to maintain safe working practices and to safeguard our pupils.