11 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    As soon as possible

  • Closing date

    27 September 2026 at 11:59pm

  • Date listed

    16 September 2026

Job details

Job role

  • Teaching assistant

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Key stage

Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2

Working pattern

Full time: 36 hours per week. TTO - paid including annual leave entitlement 44.86 weeks per year (split between 12 monthly payments) 8.30 -4.45 Monday - Thursday 8.30 -4.30 Friday

Contract type

Permanent

Full time equivalent salary

£30,408 - £30,843 FTE - - £26,162.31 - £26,536.57 Pro Rata

What skills and experience we're looking for

Job Vacancy: Level 2 Teaching Assistant

Employer: Opossum Federation

Salary: Grade Sc3, Points 5–6

  • FTE: £30,408 - £30,843 FTE
  • Pro Rata: £26,162.31 - £26,536.57
  • Contract Type: 36 hours per week, 44.86 weeks per year

Start Date: ASAP

Responsible To: Head of School

Available Locations:

  • Oakhill Primary School (Woodford Green)

All staff are employed on federation wide contracts

About the Opossum Federation

"Enriching Lives, Unleashing Possibilities, Building Futures"

The Opossum Federation is a dynamic family of primary schools located in East London, within the borough of Waltham Forest. Our federation comprises Dawlish Primary School, Newport School, Oakhill Primary School, and Thorpe Hall Primary School.

We are an ambitious, forward-thinking organisation dedicated to delivering exceptional education. In late 2024, both Newport and Oakhill schools achieved 'Outstanding' ratings in every category by Ofsted, while Dawlish and Thorpe Hall firmly hold 'Good' validations. At Opossum, we believe learning should be empowering, inclusive, and designed to spark curiosity. We build emotionally, academically, and morally strong individuals who are ready to make a positive impact on the world.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated, enthusiastic, and resilient Level 2 Teaching Assistant to join our collaborative team. In this vital role, you will work under the direction of class teachers and school leadership to provide high-quality support, ensuring our pupils reach their full potential in a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment.

Whether assisting individual pupils, running small-group interventions, or supporting classroom management, your contribution will be essential to fostering a love of learning and maintaining high standards of achievement and behavior.

Major Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities

1. Support for Pupils

  • Supervise and provide tailored support for pupils, including those with special educational needs (SEN), ensuring their safety and access to learning activities.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of Individual Education/Behaviour Plans and Personal Care programmes.
  • Establish constructive, empathetic relationships with pupils, adjusting interactions to their individual needs.
  • Promote inclusion, self-esteem, independence, and acceptance of all learners.

2. Support for Teachers

  • Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly, and supportive learning environment, including preparing displays of pupils' work.
  • Monitor, record, and provide detailed, regular feedback to teachers regarding pupils' achievement, progress, and classroom challenges.
  • Promote excellent pupil behavior and handle classroom incidents promptly and effectively in line with federation policies.
  • Provide administrative and clerical support (e.g., photocopying, typing, routine marking, and invigilation).

3. Support for the Curriculum

  • Deliver structured, agreed learning activities and teaching programmes (e.g., literacy, numeracy, early years framework), adapting tasks based on pupil responses.
  • Support the integration of ICT in learning activities and guide pupils toward technological competence and independence.
  • Prepare, maintain, and utilize required learning equipment and resources.

4. Support for the School

  • Comply with and uphold all federation policies regarding child protection, safeguarding, health and safety, confidentiality, and data protection.
  • Supervise pupils outside of lesson times, including before/after school and during lunch breaks.
  • Accompany staff and pupils on educational visits, trips, and out-of-school activities, taking responsibility for a designated group.
  • Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and performance management frameworks.

Application Process

Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 27th September 2026

To download an application pack, please visit any of our federation school websites:

  • Dawlish Primary School
  • Newport School
  • Oakhill Primary School
  • Thorpe Hall Primary School

Please submit your completed application to: hr@opossumed.org

Please note: Only applications submitted directly on the school’s official application form will be considered.

Safeguarding Statement

The Opossum Federation is deeply committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory references, and the submission of a self-disclosure form.

What the school offers its staff

The Opossum Federation is a federation of 4 schools—including Newport, Dawlish, Oakhill, and Thorpe Hall Primary Schools—that places a high premium on staff development and a sustainable work-life balance. By joining the Federation, staff become part of a collaborative learning community that focuses on "Enriching lives, unleashing possibilities, and building futures."

What Our Staff Say

Dawlish Primary School: "I thoroughly enjoy working at Dawlish! I feel consistently supported, challenged and developed in my work and am positive about the impact our school/federation collectively makes for pupils."

Oakhill Primary School: "Overall I have really enjoyed my time at this school, the community spirit has been welcoming and I have appreciated the value of working in a smaller school where there is a big sense of support for each other amongst the staff. The schools values and ethos are clearly represented by the whole team, and it is clear to me that everyone enjoys being here."

Professional Development (CPD)

The Federation is widely recognised for its "Pathway to Success" model, ensuring every staff member has a clear route for career progression.

  • Bespoke CPD Programmes: Tailored training that encourages staff to flourish, including access to national programmes and internal consultancy.

  • ECT Induction: A comprehensive, two-year induction programme for Early Career Teachers (ECTs), featuring an annual conference and mentorship in collaboration with partners like UCL and the Harris Institute.

  • Leadership Pathways: Opportunities for career progression across the different schools within the Federation, including coaching and mentoring.

  • Professional Bursaries: Financial support for further professional study (subject to conditions).

  • Collaborative Planning: Staff work across schools to share resources, subject expertise, and best practices, which significantly enhances professional learning.

Wellbeing & Workload Support

The Federation has been praised by Ofsted for its proactive approach to reducing staff stress and managing workload.

  • Workload Reduction: A structured, "planned and prepared" curriculum and collaborative planning across the federation are designed to reduce the time spent on individual admin and prep.

  • Thrive Mental Wellbeing: All staff have access to the Thrive service for 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support.

  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Confidential support for personal and professional challenges.

  • Supportive Leadership: A culture where leaders are described as "approachable and helpful," with a genuine commitment to a healthy work-life balance.

Employee Benefits

Beyond the standard competitive salary scales, the Federation offers a range of practical perks:

  • Cycle to Work Scheme: Tax-free bike purchases to encourage healthy, green commuting.

  • Modern Technology: Schools are well-resourced with Google for Education integration and dedicated devices for staff.

  • Welcoming Environment: A diverse and inclusive workplace where staff are treated as "family" in a "warm, caring second home."

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

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

About Oakhill Primary School

Organisation type
Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 11
Education phase
Primary school
Size
207 pupils enrolled
Age range
4 to 11
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report
Email address
hr@opossumed.org

Arranging a visit to Oakhill Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hr@opossumed.org.

School location

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