Teaching Assistants - Woodford Campus

Linwood School; Christchurch; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

After‑school training sessions

Career development

Long Service Awards

Job summary

Linwood School – Woodford Campus in Christchurch is seeking Teaching Assistants to join our expanding team. The roles are based on 30 hours per week across term time (with 39 weeks per year) or 15 hours per week with set daily times.

The school serves children with special educational needs and autism spectrum conditions, offering rewarding work with appropriate training provided. Appointments will be made within the BCP Salary Band 5 (£20,122 - £22,190), pro-rated for hours.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and young people with learning difficulties and/or social communication difficulties is desirable but not essential.
• Ability to communicate effectively using a range of tools.

Responsibilities

• Assist pupils in learning activities and daily routines.
• Support with personal care for pupils as needed.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive classroom environment.
• Attend on-site training sessions during probation.

Skills

Work with children

Communication

Resilience

Education

Experience with learning difficulties

Tools

DBS check

Job description

Teaching Assistants - Woodford Campus, Christchurch

BCP Salary Band 5 (£20,122 - £22,190) - appointments will be made at the starting point of the salary range. The salary shown is pro‑rated based on a 30‑hour working week from the full‑time equivalent. We have two options available at this campus:

• 30 hours per week (8.45 a.m.-3.30 p.m.), 39 weeks per year (term time only + inset days). Consideration will be given to lesser hours per week, but we ask that applicants commit to a minimum 2 full days (12 hours).
• 15 hours per week (11.00 a.m.-2.00 p.m.), 39 weeks per year (term time only + inset days).

It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Woodford Campus is part of Linwood School, an 'Outstanding' (Ofsted January 2025) multi-campus, day special school for children and young people aged 4-19 years. Woodford Campus, based in Christchurch, welcomes students of a primary age and supports a comprehensive range of special educational needs as well as those on the autism spectrum. We are committed to empowering each child to thrive academically, socially and emotionally within a safe and supportive educational setting.

We are now seeking to appoint highly motivated, committed Teaching Assistants to join our expanding team on a permanent basis. Due to the special educational needs of our students this role can be challenging and sometimes physically demanding, however the work is also very rewarding. Resilience is a key personal quality for the role as is the ability to communicate effectively using a range of tools. Previous experience of working with children and young people with learning difficulties and/or social communication difficulties is desirable but not essential.

Some of our Teaching Assistants work with students with PMLD who require high levels of care including but not limited to:

• Toileting and personal care
• Assistance with eating and drinking
• Administering medication

Full training will be provided if needed however if you have the skills and aptitudes outlined above please refer to this in your application form.

The role is subject to a 6‑month mandatory probation during which there is an expectation that Teaching Assistants attend on‑site Monday after school training sessions to enhance their work in school and their skill levels. A list of training dates and topics is provided upon commencement.

For further information about our school and the different needs of our students, please refer to our website where you will find information about each of our campuses: www.linwood.bournemouth.sch.uk

Linwood School offers career progression opportunities for Teaching Assistants wishing to enhance their skills further in an education setting, leading to Specialist Provision Teaching Assistant followed by Higher Level Teaching Assistant status. Some of our Teaching Assistants have gone on to become qualified teachers.

In addition to the benefits provided by BCP Council, Linwood School also provides:

• An Employee Assistance Programme to support staff wellbeing.
• After‑school training sessions to support staff development.
• Career development.
• Long Service Awards.

Commitment to Diversity

At Linwood School, we take pride in being an equal opportunities employer that champions a diverse workforce. We actively seek and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, recognising that a rich tapestry of experiences enhances our ability to support our diverse student population. Our commitment to diversity not only fosters a sense of belonging but also strengthens the learning environment for everyone involved.

Safeguarding Commitment

Linwood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and an overseas criminal record check if they have lived or worked outside the UK in the past 10 years. Employment offers are also subject to satisfactory references, health assessments, and right‑to‑work checks. All Linwood School staff are expected to adhere to our policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding and child protection, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Guidance for adults working with children and young people in an education setting.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and its amendments. If the role is exempt, certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected', so they do not need to be disclosed, and if they are disclosed, we cannot take them into account.