1:1 Teaching Assistant

St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 6LS

18 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  5 May 2026 at 10am

• Date listed

  17 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full-time equivalent salary: £19,329.00 - £19,636.00 Annually (Actual) Grade 5, Scale Point 5-6, subject to experience

1:1 Teaching Assistant job summary

Salary: Grade 5, SCP 5-6 : £19,329 - £19,636 per annum (subject to experience)*

Contract: 32.5 hours per week (26 hours per week at St Andrew's and 6.5 hours per week at Sherborne Abbey), 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days), fixed term until August 2027

*The salary quoted reflects the annual salary for the position at the time of advertising. Payment will be made in equal monthly instalments and will be adjusted at the start of employment, and again if employment ends partway through the school year, to ensure the correct salary is paid for work completed during the academic year.

We are looking to appoint a caring, committed, and enthusiastic 1:1 Teaching Assistant to join our supportive team and provide dedicated support for a named child. This role will be primarily based at St Andrew’s Primary School, Yetminster (4 days per week), with one day per week (Thursday) at Sherborne Abbey Primary School, offering the opportunity to work across two welcoming school communities.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is passionate about education and keen to make a meaningful difference to a child’s learning, confidence, and wellbeing. The successful candidate will work closely alongside class teachers, SENCOs, and members of the wider school staff to ensure the child feels safe, valued, and fully included in all aspects of school life. Through patience, empathy, and encouragement, you will play a vital role in supporting the child’s development and helping them to thrive both academically and socially.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide 1:1 support to a child, in line with their individual learning and care needs.
• Support the child’s emotional, social, and academic development in the classroom and during other school activities.
• Work closely with teaching staff and parents to implement and adapt learning strategies.
• Contribute to a positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Assist with record keeping and observations as required.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with young children, ideally in a primary school setting.
• Understands the importance of building trust and consistency.
• Is patient, nurturing, and adaptable to the changing needs of the child.
• Has excellent communication skills and works well as part of a team.
• Has relevant qualifications (e.g. Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant, or equivalent experience - desirable but not essential).

To find out more about the benefits of working for SAST, click here

To learn more about St Andrew's Primary School, please click here. and for further information about Sherborne Abbey Primary School, please click here.

You are warmly encouraged to visit our school prior to application, please do not hesitate to contact the school office via office@yetminster.dorset.sch.uk.

SAST will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. In line with KCSIE guidance, this will be part of safer recruitment checks, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role may include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child. It will have contact with young people on a day-to-day basis. SAST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will have to meet the person specification, and the post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust (SAST) recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a workforce which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. SAST values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010 SAST welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

This role is UK- based and your right to work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role may include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child. It will have contact with young people on a day-to-day basis. SAST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will meet the person specification and pass all safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About St Andrew's Church of England Primary School

• School type: Academy, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 107 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: St Andrew's Church of England Primary School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/st-andrew-s-church-of-england-primary-school-sherborne

Wonderful primary school in a delightful village setting with excellent staff and happy children.

School location

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