Role: Teaching assistant
Salary Grade: Starting salary – Grade 4, point 4 FTE
Responsible to: Headteacher and SLT
Accountable to: Headteacher and Governing Body
Liaises with: Other teachers and teaching assistants
Shortlisting: 5th June
Interviews: to be confirmed

School Context:

Shiplake C.E. Primary School is a thriving village school at the heart of its community,
known for its strong academic foundations, nurturing environment and close
relationships where every child is valued and supported to flourish.

Guided by our Christian vision and the pillars of faith, learning, innovation and
community, we encourage curiosity, resilience and compassion so pupils can thrive in
school and beyond.

With dedicated staff, supportive governors and an engaged parent community, we work
together to maintain high standards and continuous improvement, ensuring every
member of our small school plays a role in shaping its culture and future.

To work as part of a team of staff supporting all children’s needs within classes and monitoring and recording the progress of pupils.

Support for Pupils

• Take into account the pupils’ individual needs and ensure children can access lessons and their content through appropriate clarification, explanations, equipment and materials
• Help children access the curriculum through ensuring lessons are accessible
• Support children with Special Educational Needs, ensuring they can access a curriculum appropriate to their needs in a safe and inclusive way
• To promote the inclusion, independence and well being of all pupils
• Support and help learners to progress, including in small group interventions
• Help children record work in an appropriate way
• Develop study and organisational skills
• Keep pupils on task and build motivation
• Reinforce or extend learning and understanding
• Build the pupil’s confidence
• Promote and safeguard the welfare and safety of pupils within the school
• Support with personal hygiene, including changing when necessary
• Support children’s behaviour ensuring it is appropriate for the classroom environment, through positive behaviour strategies
• Support pupils during transitions, breaktimes, lunchtimes and educational visits

Support for teachers

• Support the teachers in the delivery of the curriculum
• Have clear lines of communication with the teachers
• Have formal meetings with teachers to discuss planning and preparation for lessons as required
• Support the teacher in evaluation of pupils’ progress

Support for the Curriculum

• Support group work in Literacy and Numeracy
• Support learning across all subject areas

Support for the School

• Work as part of the team in relation to individual pupils.
• Be aware of school policies and procedures, including those relating to confidentiality and uphold them
• Identify personal training needs and attend appropriate internal and external training
• Follow school safeguarding procedures and report concerns promptly
• Any other tasks as directed by the headteacher which fall within the scope of the post

Professional development

• Set targets for professional development which are agreed between the post holder and the Class Teacher/Line Manager
• Meet with the Class Teacher/Line Manager to review targets

Essential Criteria

Qualifications & Training

• Good standard of literacy and numeracy (GCSE English and Maths or equivalent).
• Willingness to undertake training associated with the role.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Experience

• Experience working with children in a school or similar setting.
• Experience supporting learning or delivering small‑group activities.
• Experience supporting children with additional needs.

Knowledge & Skills

• Understanding of the primary curriculum and how children learn.
• Ability to build positive relationships with pupils and staff.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage behaviour positively and calmly.
• Ability to follow instructions and also use initiative when appropriate.
• Good organisational and time‑management skills.

Personal Qualities

• Warm, patient and approachable.
• Reliable, flexible and proactive.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Enthusiastic about supporting children’s learning and development.
• Reflective and willing to learn.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience delivering specific interventions (e.g. phonics programmes, speech and language activities).
• Experience supporting pupils with EHCPs.
• First Aid training.
• Knowledge of SEND strategies and inclusive practice.
• Experience working across different year groups.

Application Form: CCSJ application form support staff