Job Introduction

Dorchester St Birinus Primary School 

 * Please complete application form attached and send to office.31866@st-birinus-pri.oxon.sch.uk*

Could you spot the moment a child needs a different explanation, a quiet prompt or the space to try for themselves? 

At Dorchester St Birinus, that judgement is central to the work of a Teaching Assistant. We’re looking for someone who can put it into practice across our mixed-age classes, helping pupils take part, make progress and become more independent.

Our school

We’re a small Church of England primary school at the heart of Dorchester’s village community. Our Christian vision, Let your light shine, means getting to know each child well and taking their potential seriously. Compassion and curiosity shape how we work with pupils and with one another.

We’re developing our curriculum and strengthening our provision for pupils with SEND. You’ll work closely with teachers, support staff and the SENCo, and your observations will help us decide what pupils need next. You’ll have opportunities to develop your practice through training, coaching and working alongside colleagues.

What you’ll do

• Work with teachers to support learning across the classroom, including individual, small-group and whole-class activities. Use modelling, questioning, feedback and scaffolding to help pupils make progress and practise skills independently.

• Deliver structured interventions and adapt activities in response to pupils’ needs. Record what you notice about learning, engagement and progress, and share it with the team to inform assessment, planning and reviews.

• Follow agreed support plans and reasonable adjustments so pupils with SEND can participate alongside their peers. Help pupils develop communication, emotional regulation, organisation and positive relationships.

• Build positive relationships, model calm and respectful behaviour, and uphold consistent routines and boundaries. Notice early signs of distress, respond in line with agreed strategies and protect pupils’ dignity. Support positive play and social interaction at less structured times.

• Follow safeguarding and child protection procedures. Recognise, record and report concerns promptly to the designated safeguarding team, maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries, and complete required training.

Person specification

Essential

• Experience supporting children’s learning in a school or comparable educational setting, including pupils with SEND or other additional needs. Experience working with individuals and groups and implementing strategies or interventions planned by education professionals.

• Understanding of how primary-aged children learn and develop, common barriers to participation, and how communication, emotional regulation and behaviour affect learning. Understanding of how to adapt support and gradually withdraw scaffolding to build confidence and independence.

• Sound understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, strong literacy and numeracy, and clear, professional communication with children and adults.

• Ability to build positive relationships and maintain ambitious expectations and clear boundaries. A calm, patient and consistent approach, with the ability to observe carefully, raise emerging concerns promptly and use initiative within agreed plans.

• Ability to work constructively with colleagues and adapt across classes, age groups and changing needs. Reliability, discretion and professionalism, alongside a commitment to inclusion, professional learning and supporting the school’s Christian vision and values.

Desirable

• A recognised Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or higher, experience in a primary school or across more than one primary phase, or experience delivering evidence-informed interventions.

• Experience supporting pupils with communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, or sensory or physical needs, including pupils experiencing distress or dysregulation.

• Training in phonics, speech and language, autism, ADHD, emotional regulation, literacy or numeracy interventions, paediatric first aid, de-escalation or positive handling.

How to apply

We welcome applications from people who can demonstrate the essential criteria through experience in a range of educational settings. Please complete the attached application form and email it to office.31866@st-birinus-pri.oxon.sch.uk.

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.