Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistants in Portsmouth

Several well-regarded secondary schools in the Portsmouth area are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated Teaching Assistants to join their teams. These schools cater to students aged 11-16 and are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to excel both academically and personally.

Role Overview: The Teaching Assistant will play an essential role in enhancing the educational experience of students across a variety of subjects. Working closely with teachers, the successful candidate will provide support to students of all abilities, helping them to access the curriculum, overcome challenges, and achieve their full potential. Teaching Assistants often provide 1:1 or small group support and contribute to creating an inclusive, positive learning environment.

This is a rewarding position where the Teaching Assistant can make a real difference in the educational journey of students by helping them build confidence, stay engaged in lessons, and succeed academically.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support Learning: Assist teachers in delivering lessons, ensuring that all students can access the curriculum. Support students of different abilities, particularly those with special educational needs (SEN), to ensure they are fully engaged in the learning process.

• Provide Individualised Support: Offer 1:1 or small group support for students who need extra help in specific areas. Tailor support to meet the needs of individual learners, helping them overcome challenges and progress academically.

• Promote Inclusion: Foster an inclusive classroom environment by ensuring that all students, regardless of ability or background, are able to participate in lessons and school activities.

• Assist Classroom Management: Help maintain a positive classroom environment by supporting teachers with behaviour management and encouraging students to stay focused and engaged.

• Emotional and Social Development: Provide emotional and social support to students, helping them to build resilience, self-esteem, and a positive attitude towards learning.

• Lesson Preparation: Assist teachers with lesson planning and resource organisation, ensuring that learning materials are accessible and ready for use. Provide feedback on student progress to teachers and the SENCO where needed.

• Encourage Positive Learning Attitudes: Motivate students by encouraging a positive learning mindset, celebrating their achievements, and supporting their development as independent learners.

• Engage in Wider School Life: Participate in extracurricular activities, school trips, and other school events, helping to build a sense of community and belonging among students.

Making a Difference as a Teaching Assistant: Teaching Assistants are key in helping students overcome barriers to learning and ensuring they feel supported, both academically and emotionally. Through personalised attention, they empower students to gain confidence in their abilities and develop essential skills.

In secondary schools, where students face the challenges of adolescence and increased academic pressure, a Teaching Assistant provides crucial support, helping students navigate these formative years. Whether it's helping a student grasp a difficult concept, managing behaviour, or simply being a trusted mentor, the impact a TA can have on a student’s life is immense.

Essential Requirements:

• Previous experience working with children or young people, preferably in an educational setting
• An understanding of SEN and strategies for supporting students with diverse learning needs
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students and staff
• Patience, empathy, and a passion for supporting students in their learning journey
• A proactive, adaptable approach to meeting students' individual needs
• Ability to work effectively within a team, following the guidance of teachers and other staff

Benefits of Working Through Teaching Personnel: Working with Teaching Personnel offers a range of benefits designed to support professional growth and career development:

• Competitive pay, processed weekly via PAYE (no umbrella companies)
• Access to a broad network of secondary schools in Portsmouth and surrounding areas
• Ongoing professional development, including free and discounted CPD courses to enhance your skills
• Clear opportunities for career progression within education
• A dedicated consultant to support you in finding roles that suit your skills and goals
• Flexible working arrangements to help manage your work-life balance

How to Apply: If you are passionate about education and eager to make a positive impact on students' lives, we would love to hear from you. Apply through Teaching Personnel by submitting your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.