Teaching Assistant – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Chippenham 
Salary: £12,293 for part-time, term time only working 
21 hours per week, to be worked between 8.30am-3pm across Monday-Thursday (exact timings tbc) 
Permanent, Term time only 

 Behind every confident child is an adult who believed in them first – the person who offers encouragement at just the right moment, celebrates every success, and can magically locate a missing jumper just minutes before home time. 

At St Mary’s, being a Teaching Assistant is about so much more than supporting lessons. It’s about inspiring curiosity, nurturing confidence, and helping create a classroom where children feel safe to try, question, succeed – and laugh at the little surprises that learning brings. 

St Mary’s is a caring, friendly and ambitious school where happy children develop a genuine love of learning. Guided by our values of “Believe, Hope and Trust”, we nurture independent thinkers and lifelong learners who are confident in themselves, respectful of others, and ready to take on the world. 

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant who wants to make a real difference and be part of a supportive, welcoming and values-driven school community. 

We are looking for someone who: 

• Is an excellent classroom role model with high expectations for every child.
• Brings learning to life through enthusiasm, curiosity and encouragement.
• Offers creativity, energy and warmth in everything they do.
• Builds strong, positive relationships with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Believes every child deserves to feel valued, challenged and successful.
• Is reflective, motivated and eager to grow professionally.
• Enjoys working collaboratively and contributing to wider school life.
• Has a passion for supporting education – and can locate lost jumpers at impressive speed.
• Understands that great support is a blend of patience, initiative and kindness.

At St Mary’s, you will find: 

• Children who are enthusiastic, kind and eager to learn.
• A genuinely supportive and collaborative staff team.
• A school where wellbeing and professional trust are valued.
• Opportunities for training, development and growing your expertise.
• A strong sense of community where every member is known and valued.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School is proud to be part of The Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust, offering excellent professional development and collaboration across a family of schools throughout the South West.  

If you are a Teaching Assistant who believes that the little moments matter - the smiles of encouragement, the gentle nudges of “you can do it,” and the relationships that help children grow in confidence and character - we would truly love to hear from you. 

We welcome and encourage visits from prospective applicants. Please contact our School Office Team on 01249 653469 or send an email to office@sm.thedcet.com to arrange a visit.     

Closing date:  17th March 2026 

Interview date:  24th March 2026 

Please note applications may be reviewed on receipt and we may close the role early.  

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.