Southampton City Council
Teaching Assistant (part-time)
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Teaching Assistant (part-time)
Part-Time Teaching Assistant – Shirley Infant School
Location: Shirley Infant School, Southampton
Contract: 22.5 hours per week (Mon–Fri, 08:30–13:00) Term-time only (39 weeks per annum)
Salary: £15,547–£16,751 per annum (pro-rata) Equivalent full-time salary: £29,742–£32,045 per annum
Application Deadline: 15th July 2026 Interview Date: By arrangement Start Date: 1st September 2026
About Shirley Infant School
Shirley Infant School is an inclusive, three-form-entry school with 270 pupils across nine classes. Known for its energetic yet caring community, the school upholds the ethos "Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day", ensuring every pupil thrives academically, socially, and emotionally.
Key Features:
- Strong collaborative culture: Works closely with Shirley Junior School to design curriculum, themed weeks, and seamless transitions from Year R to Year 6.
- Supportive staff team: Prioritises the professional growth and wellbeing of employees through mentoring, training, and career progression opportunities.
- Valued partnership initiatives: Exciting opportunities to contribute and shape academic enrichment, pastoral care, and community-focused learning.
As part of Jeffery’s Education Partnership (a 7-school network under Hamwic Education Trust), the school benefits from the broader trust’s dedicated academies model, strong leadership, and shared resourcing.
Role Summary
Shirley Infant School is seeking a part-time Teaching Assistant (TA) to support pupils across all learning needs, with a role covering:
- Core support hours: Monday–Friday (08:30–13:00)
- Focus areas:
- Individual/group/whole-class assistance in literacy, numeracy, and broader curriculum areas
- Safeguarding, reporting, and records as per school policy
- Lunchtime duty to monitor emotional/social welfare
This role is ideal for someone with a passionate commitment to early years education, a caring attitude, and the ability to foster confidence and inclusivity in a dynamic classroom environment.
The Role Involves
- Supporting teaching and learning by:
- Assisting with pre-planned/group lessons and contributing to differentiated activities for varied ability levels.
- Adapting resources to suit specific needs, including support for Special Educational Needs (SEN) pupils and those with medical/physical requirements.
- Implementing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in collaboration with class teachers.
- Nurturing pupil development:
- Building positive, trusting relationships with children while promoting independence and self-belief.
- Observing and tracking pupil progress, providing verbal/written updates to teaching teams.
- Supporting social integration and wellbeing, including one-to-one mentoring when required.
- Undertaking lunchtime/post-playtime supervision to ensure safety and opportunity for peer interaction.
- Classroom and logistical support:
- Contributing to the preparation of learning materials (e.g., props, visual aids).
- Assisting with behaviour management, including consistent application of school’s behavioural guidance.
- Participating in whole-school initiatives e.g., assemblies, events, or collaborative planning sessions.
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Requirements
Essential Criteria:
✔ GCSEs – Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths. ✔ Educational Attitude/Experience:
- Demonstrated ability to work with young children (preferred in Early Years/Primary context).
- Strong grasp of child development principles (theory and practical). ✔ Communication Skills – Clear, empathetic, and adaptable in one-to-one and group contexts. ✔ Behavioural & Relational Competence:
- Experience in supporting children who may have emotional, behavioural, or social needs.
- Ability to implement Early Years/KS1 behaviour strategies positively and consistently. ✔ Workplace Readiness – Flexible, proactive, and collaborative in a fast-paced educational environment.
Desirable Criteria:
✔ Additional formal qualifications, e.g., Level 2/3 NVQ in Childcare or Teaching Assistantship. ✔ Experience with wellbeing-focused interventions (e.g., mindfulness, social stories). ✔ Voluntary or short-term school work demonstrating commitment to baseline curriculum outcomes.
Non-Negotiable Commitments:
- Safeguarding awareness – Full DBS clearance required as part of selection process.
- Professionalism – Adherence to HET’s policies on duty of care, confidentiality, and media-using practices.
What We Offer
- A sharing its vision for transformative learning experiences.
- Career growth opportunities within a multi-academy trust, including progression into teaching or specialist TA roles.
- Flexible working – Potential alternative hours considered where possible.
- Thoughtful professional development:
- Bespoke mentoring and leadership training.
- Access to leadership upskilling courses for those looking to develop formal commitments.
- Pension eligibility: Choice between Local Government Pension Scheme or Teacher Pension Scheme.
- Wellbeing support:
- Free, confidential counselling (EAP) for employees and dependents.
- Insights via financial well-being guidance (mortgages, savings, etc.).
- Employee benefits portal offering:
- Discounts on services (e.g., retail, utilities, tech).
- Resource loan cards (e.g., Blue Light access).
- AfC recognition – Competitive graded classification advance within the trust.
- Engagement in Scholars programs (where applicable) and professional update bulletins.
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About Hamwic Education Trust
The Jeffery’s Education Partnership, under Hamwic Education Trust, is a fast-growing multi-academy trust with over 37 schools across Portsmouth, Southampton, Poole, and Dorset.
Our Values Driven Approach:
We champion diverse talent and empower every member of our joyful, collaborative team—from classroom educators to Managed Services specialists—to deliver exceptional student outcomes.
Integrated Opportunities:
- Continuous professional development with apprenticeship schemes for team members.
- Tailored staff benefits including confidential counselling services, mentorship pathways, and public sector discounts.
- HET EPICentre portal—tailored wellbeing tools and training options.
“A community that grows together.”
Application Procedure
Initial Questions?
Contact Bree Enemark, Operations Manager Email: [to be redacted for response formatting]
Applying:
- [Complete application form]: [URL redacted] (CVs submitted with the form only. Unaccompanied CVs will not be considered.)
Key Notes:
- HET reserves the right to close the vacancy before the deadline if sufficient applications are received.
- Successful applicants will undergo full safer recruitment checks, including:
- Enhanced DBS clearances
- Verification via previous employers and references
- Online employment record reviews
Successful candidates will also need to affirm compliance with HET’s safeguarding and equality principles.
Equal opportunities employer. Accommodations for interviews will be made on request.
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