Teaching Assistant - Springdale First School

Job Introduction

Springdale First School Website

ROLE:                                 Fixed Term 1:1 Teaching Assistant until 31st August 2026

SCHOOL:                           Springdale First School

HOURS:                            30.84 hours per week, Term Time, 39 weeks including INSET days

SALARY:                            Grade D, SCP 5-6 (£25,583 - £25,989 FTE, £18,260 - £18,550 pro-rata)

CLOSING DATE:               1st September 2025

INTERVIEW DATE:           3rd September 2025

START DATE:                    A.S.A.P. 

An opportunity has arisen for a Fixed Term 1:1 Teaching Assistant to join our experienced staff team at Springdale First School, part of Hamwic Education Trust (HET).

This is a fixed term contract to support the 1:1 needs of a named pupil. The contract is expected to end on 31 August 2026.  The role supports a specific pupil subject to annual funding. We expect this student to remain in the school for the remainder of this academic year and the next 4 academic years. However, the contract may be terminated at an earlier date, with due notice, should the needs of the pupil change or the attendance of the pupil ceases.

HET is a large, fast-paced Trust with currently 37 academies across the South Coast. Linked to 6 community-based partnerships, there are 34 primary academies, 2 secondary and 1 hospital school.

Springdale is a friendly and caring school that is proud to provide an outstanding learning environment for our children and families. 

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated and experienced individual with the right skill set, experience and ethos who would like to be a part of this happy, vibrant community. 

If you are ready for a new challenge and enjoy working with an organisation where no day will be the same, then please apply.

‘All about the Child’

At HET, we aim to put the child at the centre of everything we do.  We believe that by doing this, it drives our ethos and values to do the best we can for our children.

‘What about Sam’

Sam is the name we have given to the notional Hamwic child.  By asking ourselves ‘What about Sam?’ we ensure that we put our pupils at the heart of our decision making.

JOB/PERSON SUMMARY:

Springdale First School are seeking to appoint a Fixed Term 1:1 Teaching Assistant who has experience of working with children with a primary diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and or attachment difficulties.

Springdale First School offers delightful children who are eager to learn, a lovely working environment and a very positive and supportive staff team.

WE ARE SEEKING A PROFESSIONAL INDIVIDUAL WHO:

• Has an understanding of the needs and challenges faced by pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or attachment difficulties.

• Has an understanding of the potential triggers for pupils with ASD and an understanding of ways to help individuals to self-regulate and manage their responses.

• Has knowledge and understanding of PEIC-D, would be desirable.

• Who is highly motivated, creative, enthusiastic and suitably qualified to join our team.

• Is used to working as part of a small, dedicated team together with experience of working with individual pupils and with small groups.

• Has the ability to respond to the individual learning needs of pupils, adapting times and resources as required.
• Is a responsive and reflective practitioner.
• Can be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the pupils.
• Has the ability to maintain accurate records of pupil progress, behaviour and interaction.
• Can participate in and contribute to whole team planning sessions.
• Can plan and lead some practical sessions in support of the pupil’s learning.
• Can support pupils during regular off-site trips and visits.
• Can support pupils to develop life skills, linked to their learning (handling money; shopping etc).
• Has the ability to respond calmly and positively to potentially challenging behaviour.
• Can maintain high expectations in terms of behaviour and social interaction.
• Can maintain high expectations for learning potential and attainment.
• Can adhere to behaviour policy guidelines.
• Has a sense of humour.
• Has a commitment to supporting all pupils to achieve and thrive to the best of their ability.
• Has a willingness to undertake training linked to supporting the needs of pupils.
• Has the ability to interact with parents and families and develop positive working relationships in support of pupils.

WE CAN OFFER YOU:

• Excellent CPD opportunities and Training and Development Programmes
• In-house Teaching School
• An individual induction programme supported by a mentor 
• Networking groups for Teachers, Business Managers, Site Teams and IT staff
• Eligibility to join the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement for staff working 52 weeks per year which increases with length of service
• Free eye tests up to the value of £25 for users of VDU equipment and contribution up to the value of £60 towards the purchase of glasses specifically for the use of display screen equipment (where all conditions are met)
• Opportunity to become a school workplace Health and Wellbeing representative, meeting with other schools on a termly basis and feeding into the Health and Wellbeing strategy
• Access to the Trust Health and Wellbeing pages
• Access to a staff benefits portal through Vivup
• Free confidential telephone and face to face counselling for staff and family members

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

We strongly encourage applicants to visit our wonderful school and see our children engaging in their learning. Please make an appointment by contacting the school office on 01202 692700 or emailing  office@springdale.poole.sch.uk. Please note, any candidates requesting a tour will be asked for their current place of work which will allow the school to verify, where possible, the name and place of work given.  Potential candidates will be asked to bring their current school ID and/or photographic ID as proof when they visit the school for a tour.

Should you wish to apply for this vacancy, please view the job description and complete the application form which can be found at www.hamwic.org and return to Tamsin Sandford, hr@springdale.poole.sch.uk.

Successful candidates will be subject to online searches.

SAFEGUARDING:

All schools within HET are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.

THE HILLARY PARTNERSHIP

The Hillary Partnership is part of an umbrella Trust called the Hamwic Education Trust. At the Hamwic Education Trust we offer unique opportunities for those individuals that excel in education.

We aim to deliver an outstanding education to our pupils and to do so we must employ outstanding people.

We offer a training pathway for all employees including teachers, support staff and our middle and senior leaders.

Our staff have opportunities to work on cross phase projects and to work in other schools within the Trust in order to gain invaluable experience and enhance their skills.