Teaching Assistant G5 - St John's First School

About the role

St John’s Church of England First School is seeking to recruit an experienced, enthusiastic, capable and creative Teaching Assistant for 10.5 hours per week and a Higher Level Teaching Assistant for 6.75 hours per week for 39 weeks per year. This is a fixed term appointment covering maternity leave until 31 December 2027. The approximate start date is 1st January 2027.

In the mornings for 3.5 hours per day, the Teaching Assistant will work under the direct instruction of teaching staff to support access to learning for pupils and assist the teacher in the management of pupils and the classroom. The role will involve supervising and supporting pupils, including those with special educational needs.

In the afternoons for 2.25 hours per day, the Higher Level Teaching Assistant role will involve preparing and delivering lessons and learning activities across classes. The postholder may be deployed to release teachers for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time or cover short-term absences.

The salary for the Teaching Assistant role (10.5 hours per week) is from £6,541 - £6,554 per annum and for the Higher Level Teaching Assistant (6.75 hours per week) is from £5,314 - £6,027 per annum.

Working pattern is Monday to Wednesday, term time only including INSET days, which may be subject to change according to business need.

Closing date: 7th October 2026

Interview Date: 9th October 2026

Please refer to the attached job description for more details about the role.

If you have any further questions, please contact the School Office on 01202 883675 or by emailing [email protected]

Please Note: the actual salary shown is based on the number of hours and weeks worked and paid annual leave entitlement for an employee with under 5 years' service.

About Our School

Part of Initio Learning Trust, St John’s CE First School is a vibrant school with strong links to the local community. The school is well resourced; has extensive opportunities for outdoor learning; has a happy, friendly and supportive staff team and children who are eager to learn and achieve their best.

For more information please visit our school website: http://www.stjohnswimborne.dorset.sch.uk/

We welcome visits to our school - if you would like to arrange a visit or require more information, please refer to the contact details above.

Initio Learning Trust provides:

• A supportive and welcoming environment with a genuine commitment to professional development.

• A flexible, equal opportunities workplace.

• Access to the local government or teachers pension scheme.

• Employee benefits including a Health Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme.

About Initio Learning Trust

Initio Learning Trust is a multi-academy trust based in Dorset. We are responsible and accountable for the education of over 7000 pupils from 3 to 19 years of age and for the employment and support of over 1000 staff in 19 schools across Dorset, from Bridport in the West of the county to Verwood in the East.

We believe in enabling every person to thrive within their role, and our core values of Ambition, Collaboration and Respect underpin the pride we take in offering genuine professional development opportunities for all our staff; and in our focus on staff wellbeing.

Working for Us

Initio Learning Trust is a Disability Confident Committed Employer and aims to provide an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process. If you would like to discuss any changes or support you may need as part of this process, please call or email the recruiting manager (see contact details above).

Initio Learning Trust values and respects the diversity of our workforce, and encourages employees to be their unique selves. Having a diverse and inclusive workforce underpins our core values of collaboration, ambition and respect, and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion or belief. Applicant shortlisting is done without reference to any personal data including your name.

Applying for a job with us - other things you need to know

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be verified.

Initio Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

In line with current safer recruitment guidance, we may collect further information for applicants who are shortlisted for interview including criminal record and social media checks, references and verification of qualifications.

All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

We are covered by the ‘Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975’, which means that we are allowed to ask all candidates to disclose both spent and unspent cautions and criminal convictions to us when applying for a vacancy (except for those which are considered ‘protected’ under the Act).

Anyone who is barred from engaging in regulated activity with children should not apply for any of our vacancies, as doing so may be an offence—which we will report to the Police.

If shortlisted for an interview you will be required to disclose cautions and criminal convictions (except for those which are considered ‘protected’ under the Act).

Please refer to this Caution and Conviction checker for guidance on what needs to be disclosed:
Caution or conviction - Check when to disclose cautions or convictions - GOV.UK

Further information can be found on the Ministry of Justice website:
Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975 - GOV.UK

Fluency in English is required for all student and public-facing roles, in accordance with the “fluency duty” (Immigration Act 2016). Please refer to the Job Description for further details.