teaching assistant jobs

Giggleswick School is a grounded, friendly and inclusive school, where the learning does not stop at the classroom door. We believe strongly in the benefits of a broad curriculum and enrichment through the co-curriculum, which includes over 80 clubs, clinics and societies happening every week, available to our pupils who come from varied backgrounds and different countries. At Giggleswick we equip young people with the skills and confidence they need to embrace the world beyond school and lead happy, fulfilling lives. Our approach to education combines excellent academic achievement, ambition and strong self-belief, creating well-rounded individuals with a lifelong desire to learn.

The Role

Working alongside teachers in the classroom, helping pupils with their learning on an individual or group basis, leading the delivery of targeted interventions for identified pupils in areas such as reading, spelling, writing and Maths largely across Key Stage 2, and monitoring progress.

Supporting the school’s daily activities programme, as well as various school events across the year. Supporting the school duties, including break and lunch time supervision. Assisting in our Preschool as required.

Job Purpose

To assist the SENCo and Prep School Deputy Head with the implementation of Learning and Management Profiles (LaMPs) and discussing progress with teachers and pupils.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Working across all classes in the Prep School, and Pre-school (if required), taking an active role in ensuring all pupils achieve their learning targets and promoting positive behaviour that enables pupils to interact and work co-operatively with others and engage in all activities.
• Teaching and supporting groups of Prep School pupils to improve their literacy and numeracy skills, which could include the delivery of Phonics.
• Supporting the learning process under the direction of the Deputy Head, teaching or other appropriate staff – working within classes under the direction of class teachers, or with identified small groups or individual pupils.
• Contributing to the implementation of LaMPs (where appropriate).
• Participating in relevant training including child protection as appropriate, attending staff meetings and training days.
• Supporting the School’s aims and following all appropriate policies.
• Delivery of specific learning support interventions Support staff in the delivery of the events and school trips.

Additional Responsibilities

• Supporting pupils’ learning and to contribute effectively and with confidence to the classes in which you are involved.
• Assist with the school’s break/lunch supervision.
• Contribute to parent events such as school events.
• Being familiar with the primary school curriculum, the age-related expectations of pupils, the main teaching methods, and the testing/examination frameworks.
• Using IT to advance pupils’ learning and using common IT tools for personal and pupils’ benefit.
• Monitoring pupils’ participation and progress, providing feedback to teachers, and giving constructive support to pupils as they learn.
• Using clearly structured teaching and learning activities, to interest and motivate pupils and advance their learning.
• Contributing effectively to teachers’ planning and preparation of lessons.
• Monitoring pupils’ responses to learning tasks and modifying your approach accordingly.
• Liaising sensitively and effectively with parents and carers.
• Taking a lead with developing behaviour strategies, being proactive in managing behaviour to promote self-control, independence, and integration.
• Demonstrating and promoting the positive values, attitudes, and behaviour you expect from the pupils you work with.
• Promoting the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils within the classroom.
• Building and maintaining successful relationships with pupils, treating them consistently, with respect and consideration, and being concerned for their development as learners.
• Providing other administrative support including dealing with photocopying, correspondence, making phone calls, school display boards etc.
• Establishing constructive relationships and communicating with other agencies/professionals, in liaison with the teacher, to support achievement and progress of pupils.
• Providing cover of lessons if required (under the direction of class teachers), including at Pre-school.

Other

• Other tasks may develop and been added to this role, following suitable training and subject to time available.
• Be fully knowledgeable of the Health and Safety regulations in the area of responsibility.
• Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not have been identified.
• Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from the Head to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.
• This job description may be amended at any time following discussion between the Head and member of staff and will be reviewed annually.
• You will be expected to be fully conversant with and implement the School’s range of equality and diversity and safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all pupils and staff.
• You will participate in the School’s appraisal scheme and undergo further professional development in line with the needs of the School.
• You will support with any other duties commensurate with grade and status as may reasonably be requested.

Qualifications & Education

Essential

• Evidence of high standards of literacy and numeracy to a minimum GCSE English and maths Grade A*- C.
• Desirable Level 3 qualification for a General Teaching Assistant role.
• Values/Personal Qualities Smart, professional appearance.
• Drive, commitment and enthusiasm.
• Sensitive to the concerns of others. Be able to work well with others and take initiative where necessary.
• Be reliable, conscientious, and responsible.
• Enthusiastic, have energy, patience, and a good sense of humour.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy of School and Pupil matters.
• Empathy with Giggleswick’s core values and mission.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Have experience of working as a Teaching Assistant within the Primary sector.
• Proactive approach to work.
• Have experience of working with pupils with SEND, including Dyslexia within the primary age range.
• Desirable Attended relevant training in aspects of Learning Support, e.g. specific learning difficulties, classroom management, safeguarding.
• Drama/Performing Arts experience

Skills

Essential

• Be a good, clear communicator (written and verbal), able to relate to both staff and Primary age pupils. Competent IT user.
• Desirable At ease using virtual communication methods such as Microsoft Teams.

Safeguarding

• Evidence of a commitment to promoting the health, welfare and safeguarding of children.

Terms of Appointment

Hours of Work 40 hours per week

Start Date 1 September 2026

For further information and an application pack, please visit our website www.giggleswick.org.uk or contact: Mrs Joann Cole, Head of Human Resources on 01729 893016, or by email hr@giggleswick.org.uk.

If you would like to apply for this post, please complete and send the following information to hr@giggleswick.org.uk

A completed application form (no CVs please) A covering letter addressed to the Headmaster, Mr Sam Hart, of not more than two pages summarising your ability related to the information outlined in the role.

Closing date: Thursday 18 June 2026

Interview date: Tuesday 23 June 2026

Start date: 1 September 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Pay: £13.22-£14.05 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Canteen
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person