Trainee School Support Assistant

This generic job description has been created solely for the purpose of administering the DfC JobStart scheme. It is intended to provide an outline of the duties that the postholder will be expected to undertake/assist with across a number of roles within a school environment.

The postholder will be expected to assist with some or all of the following areas of work and the associated duties within each area are outlined in the responsibilities.

• Under the direction of the class teacher assist with the educational support and care of the pupils in a designated class or classes, in or outside the classroom.
• Assist the teacher in the efficient running of the class.
• Participate in classroom activities, under the direction of the class teacher (e.g. supervising play and cloakrooms including handwashing and toileting).
• Prepare work for pupils as directed by, and in support of, the teacher.
• Set up, clear away and regularly clean equipment.
• Prepare material for play sessions e.g. making dough, paste, cutting paper, costume preparation, involvement in school dramatic activities etc.
• Assist staff to ensure as far as possible a safe environment for pupils.
• Assist with classroom administration, e.g. collecting dinner money, lost property etc.
• Duplicate written materials, assist with production of charts and displays.
• Assist pupils with toileting/personal hygiene/dressing including the use of basic toileting aids.
• Assist with the safe mobility and general supervision of the pupil/s within school premises, including the playground.
• Accompany teachers, with groups on outings e.g. swimming and educational outings.
• Assist with the supervision of children on the school premises throughout the mid-day break.
• Assist in the supervision of children in all areas of the school and ground in order that health and safety regulations are observed.
• Supervise children consuming meals and packed lunches.
• Collection of dinner tickets where appropriate.
• The distribution of meals within the dining area as appropriate.
• Ancillary associated duties (e.g., cleaning up spillages, ensuring tables are cleared and cleaned, removal of litter from all areas used for the consumption of food including packed lunches, etc).
• Assisting children where necessary.
• To provide basic administrative, clerical and secretarial support to the Principal, school staff and Board of Governors.
• Assist with the operation of manual and/or computerised information systems in connection with pupils, staff, budgets, meals, maintenance, examinations, care, medical services, recruitment, transport, etc.
• Assist with the operation the telephone/switchboard, receive visitors and provide hospitality as required.
• Provide word processing/typing, filing, duplication and photocopying in support of administrative processes, including the use of e-mail, intranet, and internet facilities, where appropriate.
• Sort, screen and distribute mail.

• No qualifications or previous experience required as training will be provided.
• Demonstrable evidence of having an ability to work well with children.
• Demonstrable evidence of having an ability to work as part of a team (this may be in a formal/informal environment).
• Ability to use initiative.
• Ability to provide a customer and child focused approach.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Willingness to undertake job related training.
• Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school’s values/ethos.
• Have experience of working with children in a formal environment (e.g., school, nursery, playgroup).
• Have demonstrable experience in the use of computer packages.

JobStart Opportunity - Working Hours Information:

• Standard Hours: up to 25 hours per week.
• Flexible/Reduced Hours: May be available upon approval by a Work Coach.
• Additional Hours: The employer may offer extra hours depending on availability. This should be discussed directly with the employer before starting employment.

The job advert may end before the closing date if requested by the employer.

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

2. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

3. Shortlisting will be carried out based on the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

4. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.

5. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

Application Information: JOBSTART IS OPEN TO WORKING AGE BENEFIT CLAIMANTS WHO ARE DEEMED ELIGIBLE BY A WORK COACH. If you are on Universal Credit, please contact your Work Coach via your Journal. If you are in receipt of any other working age benefit, please contact your local Jobs & Benefits Office on 0800 001 5782.

Vacancy ID: 1756052

Job Sector: Childcare and Social Work, Education and Training

Area: Derry or Londonderry

Location: Swatragh

Salary: 16-17 £7.55, 18-20 £10.00, 21 plus £12.21 per hour

No. vacancies: 8

Contract Type: Temporary

Weekly hours: 25

Published date: 23/01/2026

Closing date: 05/02/2026

Worktime: Monday - Friday, hours to be confirmed by employer.