Job Description

St Swithun’s is an oversubscribed Ofsted rated ‘Good’ school and a CSI ‘Outstanding’ catholic school with a friendly, welcoming environment where every child is valued.

The governing board of our wonderful school is looking to appoint a qualified and experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA). You will be required to teach whole classes across the school throughout your working week, including covering teacher absences and be able to support pupils across the school in order to make progress in a range of subjects including working with individuals and small groups. The successful candidate will have a positive and caring manner with excellent communication skills. You will need to have the flexibility to teach classes as required and be committed to providing the children in your care with the best learning experience possible. If you have any specialist skills, such as sports or languages for example, this would be advantageous.

Hours: 22.5 hours per week, Tuesday – Thursday, term time only

Salary: Band 6 FTE £29,170 - £33,119; pro-rata £15,342 - £17,419

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 9 am, 9th November 2026

Interview Date: 12th November 2026

Required Start Date: 5th January 2027

Key Responsibilities

1. To be responsible for planning and preparing lessons/learning activities and delivering these across a range of subjects and year groups
2. To be responsible for recording and reporting on development progress and attainment.
3. To manage and supervise positive pupil behaviour.

Essential

• Recent successful experience of teaching in primary school
• A passion for working with children and for teaching and learning
• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) grade C or above
• An HLTA qualification or higher, with proven experience of working as an HLTA being desirable
• Confidence to cover classes when necessary
• Excellent positive behaviour management skills
• A positive attitude and flexible to the demands of the role
• The skills to work independently and with initiative
• The ability to form and sustain positive relationships with all children and stakeholders
• The ability to plan, evaluate pupils' progress and adapt lesson plans when necessary
• Acute self-awareness, emotional intelligence and the ability to work well as part of a team
• A clear understanding of assessment for learning in order to feedback and respond effectively to pupil learning
• Understand confidentiality and safeguarding procedures

Application Procedure

Visits to the school are strongly encouraged. To arrange a visit or to discuss the role further, please contact the school office on 023 9282 9339 or email correspondence@sscps.co.uk. Applications should be made using the school application form and submitted by email or post to: School Business Manager, St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School, Taswell Road, Southsea PO5 2RG

Safeguarding

Portsmouth City Council and St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS Disclosure, along with any other pre‑employment checks, including overseas checks where applicable.

Additional Information

This advert is not exhaustive. We welcome any queries regarding the role via email at correspondence@sscps.co.uk or by telephone on 023 9282 9339.

Data Protection

As part of the recruitment process, St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). By completing and submitting an application, you are consenting to the school processing your personal data for recruitment purposes only. Your data will not be used for any other purpose, and you may withdraw consent at any point during the recruitment process, at which time your data will be securely destroyed or deleted. Further details can be found in the school’s privacy notice available on our website. All applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK. No appointment will be made without this.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

Job Description

Person Specification