Level 3 Teaching Assistant - Ferndown Middle School

Level 3 Teaching Assistant – Ferndown Middle School

Grade E, £26,403 – £28,142 (actual salary for part-time, term time only working £19,312 – £20,584), plus generous sick pay and eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme

Fixed term contract (1 year), 32.5hrs per week (8.30am-3.30pm Monday-Friday), Term time only

Do you find joy in helping children grow – in those quiet moments when confidence appears, independence builds and a pupil feels truly seen? Do you enjoy being the steady presence that helps classrooms run smoothly and makes every child feel safe, encouraged and ready to learn?

At Ferndown Middle School, every child is known, valued and supported. Our pupils thrive because of the dedicated adults who nurture, guide and celebrate them each day. We’re a warm, inclusive and ambitious community where kindness and teamwork shape everything we do.

We’re looking for a caring, committed and quietly brilliant Teaching Assistant (Level 3) to join our team – someone confident in the classroom and able to support key SEND admin tasks that help our provision run smoothly. If you believe in encouragement, enjoy supporting a wide range of needs and want your work to make a real difference, you’ll feel right at home here.

What you’ll do:

• Support pupils in lessons – one‑to‑one, in small groups and sometimes whole‑class – helping them feel confident, capable and seen.
• Encourage independence and inclusion, especially for pupils with SEND or EHCPs, celebrating the small steps that mean everything.
• Build warm, trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, understood and ready to learn each day.
• Use calm, positive behaviour strategies to create classrooms where children feel secure and able to flourish.
• Work closely with teachers and the SENDCO to shape learning, routines and support that truly meet pupils’ needs.
• Connect with external professionals to ensure every child receives joined‑up, thoughtful support.
• Provide short‑term cover supervision, offering stability and reassurance when a familiar adult is needed.
• Assist sensitively with personal care/hygiene when needed.
• Support key SEND admin tasks – keeping records up to date, preparing resources and ensuring nothing important falls through the cracks.
• Be part of the everyday moments that help pupils feel settled, hopeful and ready to learn.

Who you are:

• Someone who brings warmth, patience and compassion into every interaction.
• Calm and steady – especially on the days when pupils need it most.
• Naturally empathetic, encouraging and committed to helping children find their confidence.
• Able to support learning with initiative, intuition and quiet leadership.
• Organised and attentive to detail, especially when supporting SEND admin.
• Skilled at responding to a range of needs, including pupils with SEND.
• Qualified to Level 2 (ideally working towards Level 3), with GCSE English and Maths (Grade C or above).
• A genuine team player who enjoys learning alongside others.
• Someone who sees the humour and humanity in school life – and shares it freely.

Visits to the School:

If you would like to visit the school, please contact the school office on 01202 876556 or email [email protected]

Closing date: 9am, 16^th March 2026

Interview date: 25^th March 2026

Please note: Applications may be viewed on receipt and interviews arranged sooner than the above date.

Become part of our journey by completing our Support Staff Application Form and returning it to [email protected] if you would like to apply (please see our Level 3 Teaching Assistant Job Description and Safeguarding Children Policy for further information). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Isabel at the recruitment address, who will be happy to assist you.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer. 

If successfully shortlisted the HR Department will also be conducting an individual online search including social media platforms of your ‘name, education and employment’, to demonstrate due diligence following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance.   The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you. 

About us:

Ferndown Middle School is a vibrant and caring school serving children in Years 5–8. We pride ourselves on knowing our pupils well, setting high expectations and creating an environment where children feel safe, supported and excited to learn. Our staff work closely together, support one another and share a strong sense of purpose – and we believe that schools work best when everyone feels valued and included.

If you want a role where your kindness, patience and commitment make a genuine difference every single day, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Why join us?

• The chance to make a huge difference in the lives of young people, one small victory at a time.
• Comprehensive support, Induction and training package
• We’re a supportive team who’ll have your back during the good, the bad, and the “Did that really just happen?” moments.
• Professional development opportunities because we’re all about helping you grow, both as a person and in your ability to juggle six things at once!
• You will be part of an inclusive and collaborative team that, no matter what the challenge may be, are ready to face it head on and are committed to seeing it through.
• A rewarding role where no two days are the same and every day makes a difference!
• Free access to the Employee Assistance Programme and our Cycle to Work Scheme.
• The opportunity to develop your career in a School, and within the Southern Education Trust – a growing Trust where our mission is “making lives better”.