At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children's learning and assist the Class Teacher in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Dumpton School, a thriving Prep School focused on kindness and high aspirations.
- Benefits: Join a supportive community with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of kindness and ambition in a vibrant educational environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a dynamic school setting.
- Qualifications: Experience with children is preferred; TA qualification is a bonus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 € per year.
Dumpton is a thriving, coeducational Prep School built on a simple but powerful belief: that every child has remarkable potential within them. Our role is to create an environment in which each individual has the very best opportunity to flourish. Our values - Be Kind and Aim High - guide our decisions, shape our culture and define our expectations of one another.
We are seeking a caring, enthusiastic and proactive Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team for a period of maternity cover. The successful candidate will support the Class Teacher in delivering a nurturing, engaging and high-quality learning environment for our pupils. This varied role includes:
- Supporting children’s learning in and out of the classroom
- Assisting with lesson preparation
- Supervising pupils throughout the school day
- Helping with specialist activities such as PE, Music, Dance and Swimming
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience working with children, ideally within a classroom setting
- Demonstrates strong literacy, numeracy and communication skills
- Builds positive and supportive relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues
- Is organised, professional and enthusiastic
- Shares our school values of being kind and aiming high
- Enjoys working as part of a team and is willing to go the extra mile
A relevant TA qualification is desirable but not essential. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is central to this role, and all staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of child protection and professional conduct. This is an excellent opportunity to join a thriving and supportive school community.
Background: Dumpton School is a Prep School in the heart of Dorset near the thriving market town of Wimborne, which offers an outstanding education to children aged 2 to 13 years old. The school has undergone a prolonged period of stability and success, and boasts superb, modern facilities, a strong roll of over 340 pupils, and a forward thinking and ambitious approach to education, recognised by ISI as having a "significant strength" in our most recent inspection.
The school’s strength is built upon a brilliant staff team who work hard to create a superb environment for children to flourish and fulfil their potential, focusing on academic success, as well as character education. Two core values – Be Kind and Aim High – lie at the cornerstone of Dumpton’s ethos and culture, and also sit at the heart of Dumpton’s vision - a nurturing and aspirational environment where every child fulfils their academic and personal potential.
Purpose: The Dumpton Pre-Prep and Nursery are undergoing an exciting period of growth and success. The Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant will provide a high standard of care to pupils and parents in the Pre-Prep and assist the Class Teacher.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support children with their learning in and out of the classroom
- Support the Class Teacher with preparation and planning of lessons and learning activities
- Work with individual or small groups of pupils on specific areas of focus as directed by the class teacher
- Communicate and build positive relationships with parents
- Support the supervision of pupils throughout the day including outside play time and lunchtime
- Assist in any specialist lessons throughout the week like Swimming, PE, Dance or Music
- Assist pupils with intimate care if required
- Be friendly, informative and well-organised
- Work in a clean, tidy and organised environment both inside and outside the building
- Be professional at all times and deal with any matter professionally
- Assist with the routine operation of the class on a daily basis
- Attend staff meetings, INSET training and training courses as required
- Ensure that appropriate Health and Safety, risk assessment and hygiene procedures are implemented
- Work in accordance with Dumpton School policies
- Understand Safeguarding Children and report any concerns or observations to the Designated Safeguarding Lead
This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the employee will be required to perform duties outside of this at the discretion of the Headmaster.
Person Specification:
- Qualifications: TA or other relevant qualifications
- Experience / Knowledge: Experience working with children; Experience supporting children in a classroom environment
- Key Skills: Good standards of literacy and numeracy; Proven team working ability; An ability to create positive, proactive and supportive relationships with parents
- Personal Qualities required: Positive, can-do attitude; Friendly and empathetic manner; A willingness to uphold the school values of "being kind" and "aiming high" at all times; A desire to be a team player at all times; A propensity to "go the extra mile"
Dumpton School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Dumpton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.
Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant (Maternity Cover) in Wimborne Minster employer: Canford
Dumpton School is an exceptional employer, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment where every staff member is valued and encouraged to grow. With a strong emphasis on the core values of kindness and ambition, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young learners in the beautiful setting of Dorset. Join our dedicated team and be part of a thriving community that prioritises both academic excellence and character education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant (Maternity Cover) in Wimborne Minster
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school culture! Before your interview, check out Dumpton's website and social media. Understanding their values of 'Be Kind' and 'Aim High' will help you connect with the team and show you're a great fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant, you'll need to build positive relationships with kids and parents. Try role-playing common scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your enthusiasm! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've gone the extra mile in previous roles. This will demonstrate your proactive attitude and commitment to supporting children's learning.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Dumpton community and contributing to their nurturing environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant (Maternity Cover) in Wimborne Minster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through. We want to see how much you care about creating a nurturing environment where every child can flourish.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values of Dumpton School. Highlight your experiences that align with 'Be Kind' and 'Aim High' – it’ll show us you’re a great fit for our team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, so we can easily see how you meet the requirements for the Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Dumpton School.
How to prepare for a job interview at Canford
✨Know the School's Values
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Dumpton's core values of 'Be Kind' and 'Aim High'. Think about how you can demonstrate these values in your past experiences and how they align with your teaching philosophy. This will show that you're not just a good fit for the role, but also for the school's culture.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Since the role involves supporting children in various activities like PE, Music, and Dance, be ready to discuss how you would handle specific situations. Prepare examples from your experience where you've successfully engaged children in learning or managed classroom dynamics. This will highlight your proactive approach and ability to create a nurturing environment.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role, so be prepared to discuss how you've built positive relationships with pupils, parents, and colleagues in the past. Think of specific instances where your communication skills made a difference, whether it was resolving a conflict or encouraging a child’s progress.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Dumpton values teamwork, so be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with others in a school setting. Highlight your willingness to go the extra mile and support your colleagues, as this will show that you're not just focused on your own success, but also on contributing to the team's goals.