Teaching Assistant - Copnor Primary School in Portsmouth

Teaching Assistant – Copnor Primary School

Closing Date: Friday 16th October 2026 (noon)

Interview Date: Monday 19th October 2026

Job Start Date: Monday 2nd November 2026 or ASAP following this date

Hours: 27.5 hours per week Part-time (term-time), Fixed Term until 21st July 2027

Salary Details: Band 3 FTE £25,949 (£17,172 actual)

A wonderful opportunity has arisen to appoint two caring and skilled Teaching Assistants to join our friendly team of hard working and dedicated staff. Copnor Primary School has just under 650 amazing and enthusiastic children who enjoy and take pride in their learning.

• Are you someone who is energetic, creative and proactive?
• Are you passionate about helping children of all abilities to thrive?

We are looking for someone who will work well as part of a team but also be prepared to work on their own initiative and will need to have a good understanding of how children learn as this role will involve working with children in small groups and on a 1:1 basis both offering in-class support and running interventions.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has secure knowledge of basic literacy and mathematics
• Can enthuse and inspire children to learn
• Has high expectations and a positive attitude
• Has excellent communication skills and can relate well to others
• Has experience of working with children
• Has a positive approach to behaviour management
• Is willing to try new ideas
• Is enthusiastic, resilient and has a good sense of humour
• Has good organisational skills

We can offer you:

• Happy, polite and well-behaved children who are enthusiastic about learning
• A friendly and committed team
• In our last Ofsted inspection, it was noted that “Staff morale is high; they are proud to be members of the school.’
• Support and motivation from professional colleagues
• Regular training, support and advice opportunities for your professional development
• An opportunity to make a real difference to our children’s learning

The successful candidate should:

• Have a good standard of general education (GCSE grades A-C in English and Maths)
• Have some understanding of the various Special Educational Needs within a school
• Have some knowledge and understanding of supporting children in a school environment
• Have excellent communication skills
• Be able to support the class teacher in the delivery of learning activities for individuals or group of children
• Have an understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding

Copnor Primary school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment.

If successfully shortlisted, as part of the identity checks, an online search will be conducted to identify any matters that might relate directly to the employer’s legal duty to meet the safeguarding duties set out in KCSIE 2026 guidance. The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns as a result of this check will be discussed prior to the interview. A copy of this record will be available for you to view on the day of the interview should you wish to see it.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. To arrange a visit, please contact April Newsham, Office Manager at the school on 023 92661191 or email admin@copnorprimary.co.uk. An application form can be downloaded from this site. Candidates should complete an application form and return it to the school via admin@copnorprimary.co.uk so that they reach us by noon Friday 16th October 2026.

Job Description

Application Form