Graduate Teaching Assistant (Primary)

Step Into Teaching Limited; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A supportive primary school in Manchester is seeking a committed Graduate Teaching Assistant to help enhance children's learning experiences across KS1 and KS2. This full-time role involves supporting class teachers and engaging with pupils of varying needs, including those with additional learning requirements. Ideal candidates must be adaptable and passionate about education. The position promotes professional development through the Step Into Teaching pathway and includes comprehensive classroom experience and guidance.

Qualifications

• Graduates passionate about education and child development.
• Ability to support children with SEN needs.
• Willingness to learn and develop teaching strategies.

Responsibilities

• Support teaching and learning across KS1 and KS2.
• Assist pupils with tasks and promote engagement.
• Help monitor students' progress and provide feedback.

Skills

Passionate about education

Calm, patient and enthusiastic

Confident communicator

Adaptable and proactive

Experience with children

Education

Graduate (any subject, 2:2 or above)

Job description

Location: Manchester, M40
Start: Spring Term (January)
Contract: Full-time, term-time only
Salary: £480–£520 per week

A supportive and inclusive Primary School in the M40 area is looking for a committed Graduate Teaching Assistant to join their team. This role is perfect for a graduate who wants to build real classroom experience and support children of all abilities—including those with additional learning, social, emotional or behavioural needs.

This setting has a strong pastoral culture and works proactively to ensure every child feels valued, supported and able to succeed.

The Role – In-Classroom Support

As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, your main focus will be working directly within the classroom, supporting teaching and learning across KS1 and KS2. Duties include:

In-Class Support

• Working alongside the class teacher to support daily lessons
• Helping pupils engage with tasks and understand new concepts
• Providing encouragement, guidance and reassurance during activities
• Assisting with modelling tasks, demonstrating methods and breaking down instructions
• Supporting whole-class behaviour using positive, consistent strategies
• Helping maintain a calm, structured and inclusive classroom environment
• Encouraging pupils’ independence, confidence and participation

Alongside general classroom work, you will also:

• Work with children with SEN such as ASD, ADHD, learning difficulties or communication needs
• Support pupils with SEMH needs through patience, consistency and emotional regulation strategies
• Help adapt tasks so pupils with additional needs can fully access learning
• Assist with social skills groups, emotional literacy and other bespoke interventions
• Provide cover during teacher PPA, leading the classroom

Intervention Support

• Delivering simple literacy, numeracy and phonics interventions under teacher direction
• Monitoring pupils’ progress and feeding back to teaching staff
• Helping prepare resources to support targeted learning

Who We’re Looking For

• A graduate (any subject, 2:2 or above)
• Passionate about education, SEN or child development
• Calm, patient and enthusiastic
• A confident communicator who can build positive relationships
• Adaptable and proactive within a busy classroom
• Experience with children or young people is helpful but not essential

Part of Our Aspiring Teachers Program

This role is delivered through our established Step Into Teaching pathway, designed specifically for graduates who want to gain hands‑on school experience before moving into teacher training.

Through our program, you will receive:

• A full academic year of in‑school classroom experience
• Guidance from teachers, mentors and senior leaders
• Opportunities to develop your skills across curriculum, SEND and behaviour
• A strong foundation for routes into:
  • PGCE or Teacher Training
  • Educational Psychology
  • SEN/SEMH specialist roles
  • Pastoral support pathways

This is the ideal stepping stone for anyone considering a long‑term career in education.

Why This School?

• A nurturing, community‑focused environment
• Strong emphasis on inclusion and wellbeing
• Supportive staff who value collaboration and personalised development
• Opportunities to work with a variety of learners and needs

If you’re a motivated graduate ready to support pupils in the classroom and develop towards a future career in education- we’d love to hear from you!

How to Apply:

Click ‘Apply’ below to generate your interest and import your CV to [e-mail] This role requires a DBS check.

***Step Into Teaching is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and the successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS Disclosure and Baring Service check***

***We aim, as a matter of courtesy, to respond to all applications within 5 working days. However, because of the volume of applications, we are sometimes unable to reply to individual enquiries. If we have not contacted you within this specified time your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion, we encourage you to please apply for any other position that you may see in the future.***