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Supply Teaching Assistant - Pre-Prep
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Job title: Supply Teaching Assistant - Pre-Prep
Job Type: Casual
Salary: £16.40 per hour
Department: Pre-Prep
Reporting to: Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
Location: Highgate, North London
Start: ASAP
Closing Date: 21 September 2026 at 9:00 am
Job Description
Are you a skilled Teaching Assistant looking for a new opportunity to work in a leading coeducational independent school? We are looking for 3 Pre-Preparatory Supply Teaching Assistants. The role is based in our friendly and dynamic Pre-Prep School working in a supportive and exciting environment with a dedicated team of staff. Under the direction of the Class Teacher, you'll support our pupils and be committed to providing a quality learning experience, as well completing a range of duties both inside and outside the classroom.
The Department
Highgate Pre-Preparatory School is an academically selective, coeducational school with approximately 180 pupils in 9 classes from Reception to Year 2. The Pre-Preparatory School is housed in its own building in Bishopswood Road, adjacent to the school's playing fields.
Visitors invariably remark on our high standards of work and behaviour, and warm and friendly atmosphere. Highgate's modern teaching and outlook ignites our pupils' learning within a purposeful and exciting curriculum. Our pupils are happy and confident children who are encouraged to take risks.
Highgate is strongly committed to inclusion and is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to create a welcoming, respectful and safe environment for all members of our community, from every ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability/disability, religion and background. We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments, please let us know when you submit your application whether you have any special requirements.
Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities.
At Highgate, we constantly think of creative ways to make our whole learning experience inspiring. If we develop this pattern early on, we ignite a spark for the love of learning which can be taken through life.
Emma Duong Saka, Pre-Prep Principal
Job Description
Main Responsibilities
Classroom Environment and Resources
- Help to provide a stimulating learning environment for the children under the direction of the teacher
- Welcome the children into the classroom on arrival and assist with settling them in.
- Change reading books in book folders; prepare record sheets in reading file
- Mount and display the children's work in accordance with the School's display policy.
- File learning in children's books or folders
- Prepare reading record books, exercise books, homework folders or trays in collaboration with the class teacher
- Assist in the clearing up, cleaning and storage of classroom equipment, including clearing display boards and removing staples
- Maintain and replenish stocks of paper, exercise books, pencils, art and writing materials and other resources in the classroom
- Photocopy worksheets for use in school and for homework
- Help with preparation and clearing away of art and craft, science and other activities
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Care of Children in the School
- Take care of children in the classroom and school building; comfort them when they are unwell or upset; assisting them with washing or cleaning when necessary (e.g. after being sick); encourage independence in dressing; give individual attention when it is needed
- Administer basic first aid when the children are hurt and record such incidents accordingly
- Encourage good discipline and behaviour both in and out of the classroom, in accordance with the School's policy
- Observe any children closely, and report any behavioural incidents or concerns to the class teacher and on CPOMS
Care of Children in the Dining Hall and Main Playground
- Provide continuity of care for the children throughout the breaks; accompany the class to the dining room and support as required if on duty in the Dining Hall
- Organise and supervise a range of activities in the playground, including games and quiet activities; help children acquire strategies for coping with the playground environment; make sure that they are safe, follow the playground rules and demonstrate co-operation and fair play
The Curriculum and Children's Learning
- Help with all aspects of the curriculum; work as needed with individual children and groups, encouraging the development of children's skills across the curriculum
- Together with the class teacher, hear children read individually and in a group on a daily basis and help to monitor their progress, keeping careful records
Assessment and Record Keeping
- Make observations of the children's play and behaviour and discuss any significant matters with the Class teacher
Parents
- Welcome parents who visit the classroom and work closely with them
- Liaise with parents over day-to-day matters if required and relay messages to the Class Teacher
Accompanying Children
- Take children to the Mallinson Sports Centre and help them to prepare for Sport and Exercise and swimming lessons; support children in preparing for and accompany class for Forest School lessons; assist in school visits and outings; all in accordance with the guidelines set out in the School's health and safety policies
Team Work
- Provide reliable support for the Class Teacher at all times; keep them informed of all matters that affect the children; join in professional discussions and staff meetings after-school; be willing to work with other teachers and children
- Assist with plays and productions, Sports Day, concerts, Open Days and other school events
- If required, undertake to help within the broader context of the School, carrying out other reasonable duties to support its smooth and efficient organisation
These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide. They are not exhaustive: the Teaching Assistant will be expected to undertake any reasonable task or responsibility as required by the Class Teacher.
Person Specification
Criteria
How will these be tested or verified?
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with children of this age group, ideally within a KS1 setting
- Minimum Safeguarding Level 1 Certificate
Ability / Skills
Essential
- ICT competence
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Able to show initiative and work without supervision
- Able to manage and prioritise workloads, commitments and deadlines
- The ability to establish good relations with colleagues and pupils
- Ability to work as part of a team
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Personal Attributes
Essential
- Committed to providing a quality learning experience for our pupils
- Friendly, sympathetic and supportive
- Empathy for pupils, staff and the community
- Energetic, motivated and enthusiastic
- Willing to make a full contribution to life at the school
- Reliability and punctuality
- Flexible, can-do approach
Benefits
- Location: Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
- Pension: AVIVA workplace pension scheme offered - 26% employer contribution, with the ability to flex up to 16% of this as additional non-pensionable salary, employees contribute a minimum of 5%.
- Personal development: Comprehensive induction support for new staff. Focus on continued professional development for all employees.
- Leisure facilities: Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and swimming pool (recently refurbished).
- Lunch: A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.
- Help with sustainable travel: Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
- Family-friendly policies: Highgate appreciates that employees sometimes have family commitments so we try to be as supportive as possible, for example with enhanced maternity pay (8 weeks' full pay, then 10 weeks' half pay) and paid dependant leave.
Working at Highgate
A culture of community, kindness and belonging
Highgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
Following a visit from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in September 2024 to assess Highgate's regulatory compliance and school standards, we are pleased to share the inspection findings, which reports compliance in all five areas and a'significant strength' in our teaching expertise.
Staff wellbeing
Highgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
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