We are looking to appoint a friendly and dedicated Teacher Support Assistant with energy and enthusiasm and a love for working with young people to join our team on a casual basis.

This role is funded through the Access to Work employment support programme.  The postholder will provide essential practical and physical support to the teacher to enhance the classroom experience for students. This will include preparing resources under the direction of the teacher, setting up activities, putting up classroom displays, tidying resources and the classroom, support with writing on the board, marking work, and other duties.

The postholder will also be required to move around tables, chairs and resources as well as support with physical activity during outdoor learning and on school trips. The ideal candidate will have previous experience of working in a classroom, be first aid trained and will be confident to be with the class alone for a short period of time.  However, if no previous experience, support/training will be provided as necessary for the right candidate.

This role is offered on a casual contract and some flexibility around working hours/days may be beneficial. Currently, the expected hours of work will be 8.15am-3.45pm on a Monday with a 50-minute lunch break and 8.15am to 11.30am on a Friday.  

St Mary the Virgin is a school where we value every child as an individual and develop children academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually within a happy and nurturing environment. Together we give our children a place to grow their hopes and dreams for the future.

SAST will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. In line with KCSIE guidance, this will be part of safer recruitment checks, 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 searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role may include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child.  It will have contact with young people on a day-to-day basis.  SAST 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 have to meet the person specification, and the post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check.  The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust (SAST) recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a workforce which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. SAST values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010 SAST welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.