Job Specifications
We are seeking to appoint a committed and enthusiastic Level 1 or Level 2 Teaching Assistant to support children with additional needs. Experience of the following would be beneficial for the Level 2 Teaching Assistants - Speech and language and communication difficulties, ASD, ADHD and ODD (oppositional defiance disorder) and general learning difficulties. Experience of working with children in an educational setting is preferred.
The postholders will play an important role in supporting during all aspects of the school day including lessons and lunch and break times. This will include both indoor and outdoor areas, ensuring a safe environment is maintained at all times.
This is a fixed-term, part-time contract to 31 August 2026, 32.5 hours per week, to be worked across Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm, 30 minute unpaid lunch break, 38 weeks per year, term time only.
Level 1: Grade C, SCP 2 to 3
FTE PS24,796 to PS25,185 / Actual salary PS18,086 to PS18,370
Level 2: Grade D, SCP 5 to 6
FTE PS25,583 to PS25,989 / Actual salary PS18,660 to PS18,956
The successful applicant must be able to work as part of a team to support the learning and welfare of pupils in school.
We Would Love To Hear From You If You
have excellent communication and listening skills
have patience and commitment
can apply a wide range of strategies for the benefit of the pupil
The School Will Offer All Successful Applicants
a thriving, successful school
a school committed to your continuing professional development
the support and expertise of our experienced and established team
training will be provided as appropriate
free access to the Employee Assistance Programme
eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
cycle to work scheme
If you are an enthusiastic and dedicated professional who shares our values and is passionate about fostering ambition and aspiration in children, this role could be the perfect fit for you.
Further Information
The application process
Applications must be made on the school's My New Term site.
Please ensure a full work history is completed including any gaps in employment and two referees are given. Please note Ferndown Middle School does not accept CVs in place of an application form. Incomplete application forms will not be shortlisted.
Please refer to the job description and person specification attached.
Safeguarding
The Castleman Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate that they meet the essential elements of the person specification and will be subject to pre-employment checks including an Enhanced DBS Check, Child Barred List check, satisfactory references and a health check and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.
Online search on shortlisted applicants
An online check will also be conducted on all shortlisted applicants. This check will form part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the search and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.
Right to work
This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The Ministry of Justice guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide via https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974 .
Queries
If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information, please contact Michele Shield on 01202 876556 or email [email protected]
Visits to the school
If you would like to visit the school, please contact the school office to arrange an appointment. To gain a greater understanding of our school values, curriculum offer and premises, please visit our school website.
About Us
Ferndown Middle School is part of the Southern Education Trust (SET) - a Trust which prides itself on putting children first always and puts its values of Respect, Independence, Creativity and Inclusion at the heart of everythin