Teaching Assistant

Overview

The Governing Body is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic Teaching assistant / Cover supervisor to join the team at Thornhill Primary School, to work 30 hours per week, term time only.

The main purpose of the post is to work under the direct supervision of Teaching Staff in KS2 to provide general classroom support, take a phonics group as required and support pupils with their specific learning needs. At times the post holder will be required to cover supervisor a class.

You will need to:

Be an enthusiastic and caring person.
Be able to support children in their learning and achievement.
Have NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in a subject relating to education.
Have a GCSE pass or equivalent in English and Maths.
Have good communication and interpersonal skills.
Have a professional and mature attitude.
Be self-motivated.
Have the ability to work on their own initiative and as part of a team

Job Purpose:

To work under the guidance of teaching staff in KS2 to plan and implement learning activities for the children. The successful candidate will be expected to cover supervise classes as and when required.

Duties:

To work with the class teacher to establish an appropriate learning environment promoting positive values and attitudes.
To support the teacher in lesson planning, evaluating and adapting resources to facilitate children’s learning.
To assist the teacher in monitoring and evaluating pupils’ performance against learning objectives and provide feedback to the class teacher.
To establish productive working relationships with pupils acting as a role model and setting high expectations.
To support pupils and respond to their individual needs.
To encourage pupils to interact and work cooperatively with others.
To mark children’s work and provide constructive feedback to pupils as required.
To promote the inclusion of all pupils and deal promptly with any conflict or incidents in line with the school policy.
To deliver a phonics intervention using Little Wandle strategies with a group of children.
To accompany classes on school visits, as needed, and have responsibility for a small group of children.
To cover supervise the class for short periods in the absence of the class teacher using pre-prepared activities.
To provide general clerical support as photocopying, displaying pupils’ work and any other reasonable task as requested by the class teacher, SENCO or SLT.

Safeguarding:

All staff have a duty of care to safeguard the health and well-being of all pupils at Thornhill Primary School following KCSIE and the school’s Child Protection Policy.

Shortlisting Criteria

Shortlisting Criteria

1. Experience

Recent experience of working with groups or classes of primary aged children - essential.

2. Qualifications and Training

2 GCSE passes or equivalent in Maths and English - essential.

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent and appropriate to this post - essential.

3. Special Skills Knowledge

Experience of working collaboratively with a class teacher to establish a positive learning environment - essential.

Knowledge / understanding of the National Curriculum - essential.

Ability to follow lesson plans - essential.

Demonstrate an ability to support pupils and their individual needs - essential.

Encourage pupils to interact and work cooperatively with each other - desirable.

Establish productive working relationships with pupils acting as a role model - essential.

Promote the inclusion of all pupils and deal promptly with any conflict or incidents - essential.

Have good organisational skills and be able to prioritise work - essential.

Provide constructive feedback to pupils as required - essential.

Deliver a phonics intervention with a group of children using Little Wandle - essential.

Keep accurate records on pupil progress as required - desirable.

Provide general clerical support - essential.

4. Personal Qualities

An understanding of and a commitment to equal opportunities issues both within the workplace and the community in general - essential.

Conscientious, honest and reliable - essential.

Good timekeeper - essential.

Respect for confidentiality - essential.

Positive approach with a wide range of people - essential.

5. Personal Circumstances

Satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Statement - essential.

Satisfactory references obtained and verified under the safeguard procedure - essential.

Salary & Benefits

Salary Details: Band E7 – 11.

Appointment Type: Permanent after a 6 month probationary period, term time only.

Hours: 30 hours a week.

We can offer you:

An exciting opportunity to work with children 3 – 11 years old.
A welcoming, friendly and caring ethos.
An environment where children are happy, confident and enjoy learning.
Training and development in this role.
A supportive Governing Body, parents and community

Location

Thornhill Primary School
Clough Bank
Rotherham
Yorkshire and the Humber
S61 1TD

Supporting documents

Deadline and how to apply

Informal visits to the school are welcome. Please telephone the school to arrange an appointment.

Further details and application forms can be obtained from Mrs K Hill (Head Teacher)

01709 335999 or by email thornhilloffice@thps.org.uk

Completed applications should be returned to recruitment@thps.org.uk

Alternatively, you can download the application form and return to the school at the address above.

This post involves working with children and therefore if successful you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service records check at an enhanced level. Further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check

Closing Date: Midday Monday 24^th November 2025

Interview date: Thursday 27^th November 2025

Equal opportunities

This specification has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy. We undertake to make any ‘reasonable adjustments’ to a job or workplace to counteract any disadvantages a disabled person may have.