Early Years Teaching Assistant - Fixed Term

Shorefields; Colchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

A local primary school is seeking an Early Years Teaching Assistant to support pupils in various lessons and assist in planning activities. Candidates should have strong communication skills and relevant educational qualifications, including GCSE English and Maths. The role is part-time, structured around term times, providing a supportive environment with ongoing specialist training. Opportunities abound for professional development in a vibrant educational setting, emphasizing individual growth for all students.

Benefits

Specialist training

Supportive mentorship

Inclusive environment

Qualifications

• Must have experience supporting children in educational settings.
• Desirable to have British Sign Language Level 1.
• Relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification required.

Responsibilities

• Support a wide range of pupils in lessons.
• Work with individual and small groups of children.
• Plan and set up activities to support learning.

Skills

Experience working with children

Ability to communicate effectively

Teamwork

British Sign Language Level 1

Education

GCSE English and Maths at grades A-C or equivalent

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Paediatric First Aid

Job description

Early Years Teaching Assistant - Fixed Term

Job Ref No. ECC2006-143 Position Type: Teaching/Child Support Pay Range: Scale 4, P7-P8.

Position Start Date: 23/02/2026 Contract Type: Part-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 09/01/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: 15/01/2026 Shortlisting Starts: 09/01/2026

Salary - Scale 4, point 7-8 (FTE salary £26,403 - £26,824)

Hours will be Monday to Friday, 8:45am -3:15pm (including a 30 minute lunch break)

39 working weeks - (term time plus 5x non pupil days)

We are looking for an experienced Early Years Teaching Assistant to join our enthusiastic and dedicated team. It is also desirable, but not essential, for the candidate to have British Sign Language Level 1 along with a relevant L3 Early Years qualification and Paediatric First Aid.

Responsibilities

• Support a wide range of pupils in lessons
• Work with individual and small groups of children
• Work as part of a team
• Be able to carry out and record observations using Tapestry
• Input in to the assessment process
• To plan and set up activities that support learning
• To communicate effectively with colleagues, parents/carers and other professionals

The successful candidate must have GCSE English and Maths at grades A-C or an equivalent qualification.

We can offer the successful candidate a supportive environment, specialist training and a mentor.

Information about the School

At Lexden Primary School we aim to provide every child with a stimulating and caring environment where creativity and challenge inspire academic success and individual fulfilment. We work tirelessly to unlock the potential of every child and encourage them to achieve as highly as possible.

Our school is lively and inclusive; we are proud of the wide range of learning opportunities provided for all children, both within the curriculum and through our links to the wider community.

The teaching and support staff form a dedicated team fully committed to meeting the needs of our children and we encourage a close partnership with parents/carers to ensure that children develop the social and emotional skills that are required to get the most out of life.

Our school is well maintained and boasts extensive grounds providing a large playing field, a Forest School area and two playgrounds. The outdoor pavilion provides shelter and is used as an outdoor classroom. We have seven main classrooms, a Nursery and a enhanced provision for the teaching of Hearing Impaired Children. The Nursery has places for 26 part‑time pupils and they are involved in the social life of the school, helping them experience a very successful transition to our reception class in the mainstream school. The enhanced provision has 18 places and caters for pupils who are severe/profoundly deaf from across the whole of North East Essex.

We are aiming for excellence in every aspect of school life. We believe this is achieved by promoting our values.

Values

• Community – We respect the world around us and the people we share it with
• Courage – We are brave and believe in ourselves; we take responsibility for our own actions
• Curiosity – We are always ready to learn new things
• Commitment – We persevere; always doing our best in all that we do

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.