At a Glance
- Tasks: Support teachers and deliver engaging lessons to primary school pupils.
- Company: Join a nurturing and inclusive school community in Congresbury.
- Benefits: Part-time hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Opportunity to run Forest school sessions if trained; dynamic and collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Enthusiasm, flexibility, and strong relationship-building skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 13238 - 14842 £ per year.
We are searching for the best education professionals.
Location: Congresbury, Bristol
Contract Type: Fixed term contract
Hours: 19.5 hours Monday – Wednesday 08.30 – 15.30
Contract: Fixed term until 31 August 2026
Salary: Grade JG5, SCP 12-19 (£28,598 - £32,061)
Actual Salary: £13,238.48 - £14,841.56 per annum
Start Date: ASAP
The Role
We are looking for an enthusiastic Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join our friendly team, working throughout the whole primary phase. It is mainly for covering teachers for their PPA time but is also for covering sickness or teachers attending network meetings or training. The successful applicant will be a highly flexible and proactive practitioner who will be able to deliver high quality lessons. They will have a regular timetable which tends to remain the same week on week.
The role is to work flexibly as part of a team, under the direction of class teachers to provide teaching and learning support to pupils, teachers and the wider school community. Teachers will ask the successful candidate to teach subjects where the planning comes from a scheme or the teacher has planned. You will not be expected to plan for lessons.
There is an opportunity for the successful candidate to run Forest school sessions on a Wednesday afternoon if Forest school trained. (This however is not essential to applicants)
We are looking for:
- A flexible team player who is positive, passionate about their job and a problem solver
- Someone that can develop and maintain strong, positive relationships with pupils, the staff team and parents
- A committed person confident in working with the class teacher to support/develop learning of the whole class
- Someone that can use their own initiative
- A person with a good sense of humour
- Someone who can demonstrate strong behaviour management
- A person who is self-motivated, creative and flexible
In return our friendly, engaging and exciting school can offer:
- A truly inclusive school where every member of the school community really matters
- A strong, collaborative culture of hard-working, dedicated staff who support one another
- Skilled and enthusiastic staff that are committed to further developing their practice
- Caring and respectful pupils who are proud of their school and work with independence and enthusiasm
- An opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of our children and their families
- A commitment to CPD opportunities
- Warm relationships with the local community, supportive Governors, parents and strong links with our Church
Our School:
St Andrew’s is a church school in the village of Congresbury. We are blessed with the most wonderful grounds that are spacious and full of opportunities in which to grow and learn, with St Andrew’s Church overlooking our youngest children’s playground. The most recent Ofsted inspection, June 2025, saw the school maintain its good judgement. The report stated that our vision of “growing together” permeates throughout the school and that our wider personal development offer is worthy of being shared. Our SIAMS inspection in January 2023 judged our school as an ‘Excellent’ church school: “meaningful relationships and partnerships enable all within the school to flourish” and that we are a highly inclusive school.
We are passionate about ensuring that every child leaves our school with the skills and experiences required to lead happy and successful lives. Children at our school develop their unique character with the support and guidance of the staff, their families and our church. As a nurturing school, we are proud that we were accredited Thrive School of Excellence and subsequently we are now an accredited Nurture UK school. This is for our commitment to fostering understanding, skills and positive relationships needed to develop and sustain healthy social and emotional wellbeing of our pupils and staff. As a result, team ethos is an important part of our school.
The Trust:
The Lighthouse Schools Partnership (LSP) is a Multi-Academy Trust which has experienced rapid growth since it started in 2016. There are currently 33 schools in the Trust. The Lighthouse Schools Partnership is cross-phase and includes Infant, Junior, Primary and Secondary schools. The Trust is a mixed MAT and includes both non-denominational and Church of England schools.
We encourage you to browse our website for more information about the Trust.
Closing Date: Wednesday 3 December
Interview Date: TBC
Early applications are encouraged. The school reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of the advertisement, should the School be able to identify an appropriate candidate.
Safeguarding Statement: The Lighthouse Schools Partnership and St Andrew's CE Primary School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all in our community to share this commitment. Suitability to work with children and young people will form part of the selection process. As part of the shortlisting process an online search will be carried out. All appointments will be subject to vetting, including an enhanced DBS check.
We are also committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
Higher Level Teaching Assistant in Bristol employer: St Andrew's
St Andrew's in Congresbury is an excellent employer, offering a nurturing and inclusive work environment where Higher Level Teaching Assistants can thrive. With a strong focus on professional development and a supportive team dedicated to student success, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while making a meaningful impact in the lives of students. The flexible working arrangements further enhance the appeal of this role, making it an ideal choice for those passionate about education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Higher Level Teaching Assistant in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at St Andrew’s or other schools in the Lighthouse Schools Partnership. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a recommendation!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by practising common questions. Think about how you can showcase your flexibility and teamwork skills, as these are key for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant role.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your personality! Bring your sense of humour and creativity into the interview. They want someone who can connect with pupils and staff alike, so let your passion shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our fantastic team.
We think you need these skills to ace Higher Level Teaching Assistant in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for education shine through! We want to see how passionate you are about supporting students and working in a team. Share specific examples of your experiences that highlight your love for teaching.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to fit the Higher Level Teaching Assistant role. Highlight your flexibility, teamwork skills, and any relevant experience you have. We appreciate candidates who take the time to align their skills with what we’re looking for!
Be Yourself:Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing! We value a good sense of humour and creativity, so feel free to express yourself. Authenticity can really make your application stand out from the crowd.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and allows you to easily keep track of your application status. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Andrew's
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Higher Level Teaching Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your skills align with their needs. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
Since the role requires a flexible team player, be prepared to discuss examples from your past experiences where you've adapted to changing circumstances. Highlight any instances where you've successfully supported teachers or managed different classroom situations, as this will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Build Rapport with the Interviewers
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Use a friendly tone, smile, and maintain eye contact. Share anecdotes that reflect your positive relationships with students, staff, and parents. This will showcase your interpersonal skills and fit within their inclusive school culture.
✨Prepare for Behaviour Management Questions
Expect questions about behaviour management strategies, as this is crucial for the role. Think of specific techniques you've used in the past to maintain a positive learning environment. Be ready to discuss how you would handle challenging situations while keeping a good sense of humour, as they value a light-hearted approach.
