Teaching Assistant - Ferndown Upper School

Christchurchandeastdorset; Christchurch; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational institution is seeking a Teaching Assistant to support students with special educational needs starting in January 2026. This permanent position involves working 28.5 hours per week during term time, Monday to Friday. Applicants should have a strong dedication to meet student needs and possess GCSE Maths and English. Opportunities for training and development are available, along with participation in the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Benefits

CPD opportunities

Personalised induction

Local Government Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing support

Private healthcare cashback plan

Discounts through Dorset Council

Qualifications

• Experience as a teaching assistant preferred but not essential.
• Graduates considering a career in teaching are welcome to apply.
• Ability to work with special educational needs students.

Responsibilities

• Support specific students with special educational needs.
• Work both in-class and in one-to-one situations.
• Participate in staff training and development programmes.

Skills

Relate well to young people

Dedicated to ensuring students’ needs are met

Understanding of students’ additional educational needs

Physically demanding role

Education

GCSE Maths and English A*-C/9-4 (essential requirement)

Job description

About the role

TEACHING ASSISTANT

Permanent Contract to start in January 2026

Monday to Friday 8.15 a.m. to 2.40 p.m. 28.5 hours a week

Job Ref: XS10.4s Grade 6 SCP 6-9 - £13.47 to £14.13 per hour

Term time only plus 5 Staff Training Days

We require Teaching Assistants to work with an established team supporting specific students with special educational needs, both in class and in a 1:1 situation.

We would welcome applications from experienced teaching assistants or from graduates and others considering a career in teaching or caring professions. If you are currently finishing your degree, thinking about teaching then come and join us as a TA for a year, gain paid training, experience and insight into the education profession before deciding on your next step.

Applicants should:

• Relate well to young people
• Be dedicated to ensure the students’ needs are met
• Be understanding of students’ additional educational needs
• Have GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English A*-C/9-4 (essential requirement)
• Be advised this can be a physically demanding role.

What Ferndown Can Offer You:

• CPD opportunities and training and development programmes.
• Personalised induction, supported by a mentor.
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to health and wellbeing support.
• Private Healthcare Cashback Plan including 24/7 access to a GP by phone, gym discounts, cashback for optical, dental and other appointment expenses.
• Access to staff benefits and discounts portal through Dorset Council.

Application Form and Job Description available online here or through our website.

If you require any further information, please contact Andrea Baxter in the Personnel Office on 01202 871243 [e-mail]

Closing Date: midnight, Monday 5th January 2026

Further Information

This school 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 be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check (formerly CRB) in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines.

Ferndown Upper School values the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

Ferndown Upper School will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, 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.