Teaching Assistant

What skills and experience we're looking for

Teaching Assistant – Ferndown First School

£25,614 – £26,106 per annum (full-time equivalent)

5 days per week (32.5hrs), Permanent, £19,254 – £19,624 per annum

3 days per week (19.5hrs), Fixed term to 31st August 2027, £11,552 – £11,774 per annum

Please note in your application or supporting email if you are applying for the 5 day or 3 day position, or if willing to be considered for both.

Do you believe that a kind word, a patient moment, or a quiet bit of encouragement can change a child’s whole day? Do you want a job where the smiles, breakthroughs, and “I did it!” moments truly matter? If so, Ferndown First School would love to hear from you.

We are looking for a Teaching Assistant to join our caring, close-knit team. This role would be ideal for someone with a genuine interest in supporting children of all kinds (including those with SEND) and helping every child feel understood, valued, and capable.

At Ferndown, Teaching Assistants are at the very heart of what we do. You’ll be there for the small moments that make the biggest difference – calming worries, celebrating progress, and helping children believe in themselves.

What you’ll do

• Support teachers to deliver engaging, inclusive lessons where every child can succeed
• Work alongside children in class, in small groups, and sometimes one-to-one
• Provide gentle, tailored support for pupils with additional needs
• Create a warm, safe, and nurturing environment where children feel confident to try
• Encourage independence, resilience, and a love of learning
• Share in the laughter, creativity, and wonderful unpredictability of school life

Who you are

• A kind-hearted, enthusiastic, and dependable person who truly enjoys being with children
• Someone patient, empathetic, and emotionally attuned, with an interest in SEND
• Strong communication skills, and good literacy and numeracy
• A sense of humour, flexibility, and the ability to see potential in every child
• A team player who understands that sometimes the smallest support means the world
• No experience? No problem. If you have the right attitude, warmth, and willingness to learn, we’ll support you every step of the way.

What the school offers its staff

About us

Ferndown First School is a friendly, nurturing and community‑minded school serving children from Reception to Year 4. We pride ourselves on creating a safe, caring and inspiring environment where every child is known, supported and encouraged to thrive. With well‑resourced learning spaces, dedicated staff and a strong commitment to high‑quality education and care, we work closely with families to make school life happy, inclusive and full of opportunity. If you want a role where your positivity, teamwork and commitment truly matter, we’d be delighted to welcome you to our community.

Why join us?

• Comprehensive support, Induction and training package
• We’re a supportive team who’ll have your back during the good, the bad, and the “Did that really just happen?” moments.
• Professional development opportunities because we’re all about helping you grow, both as a person and in your ability to juggle six things at once!
• A rewarding role where no two days are the same and every day makes a difference!
• Free access to the Employee Assistance Programme and our Cycle to Work Scheme.
• The opportunity to develop your career in a School, and within the Southern Education Trust – a growing Trust where our mission is “making lives better” and our values arekindness, collaboration and creativity.

If you’re ready to be part of something meaningful – where your care, patience, and compassion truly count – this could be the role for you.

Further details about the role

Closing date

14th June 2026

Interview date

w/c 22nd June 2026

Please note

Applications may be viewed on receipt and interviews arranged sooner than the above date.

Become part of our journey by completing our Support Staff Application Form and returning it to recruitment@southern.education if you would like to apply. Please see our Teaching Assistant Job Description and Safeguarding Children Policy SET for further information.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Isabel at the recruitment address, who will be happy to assist you.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.

If successfully shortlisted the HR Department will also be conducting an individual online search including social media platforms of your ‘name, education and employment’, to demonstrate due diligence following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance. The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.