Applicant Information Pack
Teaching Assistant - Maternity Cover
A foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer
Richard Backhouse - Principal
Berkhamsted is among the schools leading the way in pursuing a ‘foundation structure’. As a group of six schools, it combines scale of resource with individual attention and development of pupils –and staff. We start with our values: we aim for excellence – aiming high with integrity – in all that we do. We are adventurous, and support development, research, and experimentation in teaching and learning We serve others – at both pupil and staff level: ours is a non-hierarchical school in which the opinions of all matter, and in which we all share in the support and contribution to our local community
Above all, we are committed to developing remarkable people, both among our pupils and our staff We are looking for highly committed, ambitious and adventurous people to join a thriving staff body, whom we can support to flourish here, and whom we can help to grow. Our staff are so important that we have a Chief People Officer as one of our most senior members of staff.
Tracey Evans - Chief People Officer
Our staff are our most important asset at Berkhamsted; investing in their professional development with their wellbeing a key priority We foster a working environment that firstly provides a sense of belonging and supports staff both professionally and personally. We offer a wide range of staff wellbeing initiatives. Colleagues can easily access financial, physical, emotional and social well-being support from school
We seek to enable all members of the school community to achieve their full potential in an environment characterised by equality, equity, respect and opportunity We work hard at Berkhamsted, but we also know how to come together as a community and enjoy downtime, building relationships which last a lifetime and enrich our professional and personal e
History of Berkhamsted Schools Group
Early years and Key Stage one Education for boys and girls is provided at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep, located at the Schools Haresfoot site, is set in a delightful eight acre woodland area at the edge of Berkhamsted
Berkhamsted Pre-Prep places each child at the centre of everything we do. Wellbeing is our first priority, and providing a high level of nurture and care is our primary focus. Our team are skilled professionals who have an in-depth understanding of early child development At Pre-Prep we aim high to give children the best possible start to their education Learning opportunities are planned to provide challenge, developing not only knowledge but also the skills and aptitudes that allow our children to question, debate, collaborate and problem solve from a very young age
Children are taught to recognise failure as the key to success and school is a safe space where mistakes are key to acquiring mastery Our hope is to encourage their natural curiosity and passion for learning, laying the foundations that will allow them to make the most of the opportunities available to them
The latest ISI inspection of Berkhamsted Day Nursery and Pre-Prep in June 2016 captures our philosophy perfectly: “Outcomes for children are outstanding. All children make excellent, continuous progress in relation to their individual starting points and capabilities due to the nurturing and supportive environment that recognises each child as an individual.”
We strive to build positive relationships where children learn to socialise and work with each other and where kindness and respect are qualities that are celebrated and embraced Our excellent pastoral care gives our school a family feel where children learn the importance of serving others and the importance of being part of a community where everyone is valued
There are currently 205 pupils at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep School (aged 3-7).
Part of the Berkhamsted Schools Group
Berkhamsted Pre-Prep School is one of six schools that make up Berkhamsted Schools Group Berkhamsted School is one of the country’s leading independent schools. It has a structure that provides the best in both co-educational and single-sex education, offering small class sizes and appropriate teaching environments for each age group, from age 3 to 18.
The School’s ‘diamond’ structure allows boys and girls to be taught together until the age of 11 (at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and at Berkhamsted Prep), separately from 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint Sixth Form (Berkhamsted Sixth)
Job Description
Working hours: 3 days per week (Monday - Wednesday), term-time plus two weeks
Responsible to:
1. The Head Teacher directly
2 The Deputy Head and Class Teacher through the school’s management structure
Responsible for:
All matters of delegated authority relating to the teaching, care and supervision of Children in the School
General aims and objectives
To perform the functions and services of a member of staff as described in the Staff Handbook
Main Purpose of the Job
To be a member of the adult team working together to create a safe, caring and stimulating environment in which each child can grow, learn and develop, and in which the best interests of the children will be served.
Main Responsibilities
The Teaching Assistant is immediately responsible to the Class Teacher, who will offer a reasonable level of support and guidance, but will expect the following: -
Knowledge Needed:
1. An understanding of child development.
2 An appreciation of good childcare practice and current First Aid, Health and Safety provisions
3 A clear understanding of good educational practice Keeping well informed about development in EYFS / Infant / Junior education and current thinking in children’s needs and development as appropriate.
Job Description
4. Know how to advance pupils’ learning through the use of ICT and can use common ICT tools for their own and pupil benefit (by understanding the software and learning programmes)
Skills Needed:
1. To be reliable, enthusiastic, adaptable, discreet and tolerant.
2. To have the ability to observe.
3. To have the ability to assess and record children’s needs and progress. 4 To have sensitivity towards both children and parents
5 To have the ability to participate in the children’s activity and discussions in order to promote learning
6. To have empathy with the children and come down physically to their level when working with them.
7. To enter a child’s play as a partner sharing the process.
8 To know how to intervene sensitively (not interfere) when appropriate, so that the adult does not dominate the child, but equally not left to flounder.
9. To have the ability to assist the class teacher to manage the children’s behaviour.
To have the ability to plan, prepare and clear activities, as well as contribute towards the curriculum
To have the ability to set up displays and interest tables.
Job Description
12 To have the ability to be responsible for the maintenance of equipment and report any repairs required to the class teacher.
13. To have the ability to work with children with Additional Needs.
14 To have the ability to respect the dignity, individuality, beliefs and culture of each child
15. To have the ability to maintain professional relationships and to communicate clearly.
16. To have the ability to liaise with other specialists and to contribute to the shared knowledge of the child and his/her situation
17. To foster and maintain good general relations with parents, ensuring shared understanding of the children’s needs and development in close liaison with the class teacher
18. To have the ability to contribute towards the life of the school through participation in lunch/playtimes and other relevant duties as well as meetings, In-Service training and functions (where applicable).
19. To have the ability to share in the responsibility for the children, the day to day routine, and the overall care of their years in school.
20. To have the ability to assess and evaluate one ’ s own performance as a qualified Teaching Assistant in discussion with the Class Teacher / Team Leader.
Job Description
To the Department / Class:
1. To take an active part in meetings.
2. To accept advice and instruction from the Class Teacher with regard to subject policies and schemes of work, maintenance of records and care of resources.
3. To keep the Class Teacher informed of any pupils who may be experiencing difficulties with the subject.
The Life of the School:
1 To correct any pupil who’s standard of behaviour, dress or cooperation fall below required standards.
2 To attend Assemblies, register the attendance of pupils and supervise children outside lesson time as agreed in the prepared rota, before/during/after school sessions as directed by the Deputy Head.
3 To use non-contact time effectively for preparation/marking/displays etc
4 To maintain high personal standards of appearance, behaviour and punctuality
5. To request prior approval from the Head Teacher for any absence from school and to give notice in writing to appropriate people, especially to the Deputy Head in good time, so that cover can be organised.
Performance Management:
1. To participate in arrangements made for your professional development review.
Job Description
2 To participate in arrangements made for further training and professional development, which will include attendance at/delivery of Staff Inset as required and attendance of external training courses.
Staff Meetings:
1 To participate in meetings which relate to the curriculum of the school or the administration or organisation of the school including pastoral arrangements.
2 To attend school functions unless absence is discussed with the Head Teacher before the event
Cover: To supervise in so far as practicable, any pupils whose teacher is not able to teach them at the request of the HDT.
Participating in day educational trips, including being prepared to make residential visits if necessary.
Relations with Pupils and Colleagues:
1 Emphasise the importance of safe methods of working in such areas of your subject/classroom Communicate to pupils that they must have a responsible attitude to the books and equipment with which they have been provided and that they will be charged for any damage inflicted on school property
2. Classes are expected to wait quietly for the teacher. The adult should as far as practicable be the last to leave his/her classroom/changing room to ensure that it is in good order.
Job Description
3. Communicate regularly and freely with other colleagues; exchange views on teaching methods and individual children; be accessible and be open to view ideas that may be effective.
4 Be professional Do not try to elicit from children adverse comments on colleagues or be heard to criticise or argue with other members of staff in front of pupils. If children criticise their teachers then follow up the criticism confidentially with the Head Teacher but support your colleagues, particularly until you have found out the truthfulness or otherwise of an indictment
5 If you wish to challenge a colleague on a particular matter then do so privately, in a friendly manner Serious criticism should be referred to the Head Teacher.
6 Children have the right to complain about you to another (appropriate) member of staff Avoid giving them any genuine reason for doing so. Always act in a way that you honestly believe to be right, justifiable and in the interests of the pupil. If you do this you will always find sympathy and support, even if something goes wrong
Additional duties:
It is the nature of the work at the School that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances, varied. All staff are, therefore, expected to work in a flexible way when occasion arises, when tasks which are not specifically covered in their job descriptions have to be undertaken These additional duties will normally be to cover unforeseen circumstances or changes and they will normally be compatible with the regular type of work. If an additional responsibility or task becomes a regular or frequent part of the member of staff’s job, it will be included in the job description in consultation with the member of staff
Confidentiality:
It is expected that all School employees will understand that our work is confidential and that personal details about children and families should not be discussed outside school.
Note:
Job Description
The job description may be reviewed at the end of an academic year or earlier if necessary. In addition it may be amended at any time after consultation with you.
No job description can be fully comprehensive and will need to be reviewed and modified from time to time. The duties and responsibilities of the Teaching Assistant involve a commitment to work outside school hours as may be directed by the Head Teacher It is expected that the Teaching Assistant will wish to enhance and develop the role in accordance with their own particular strengths and ideas and in the continuing development and success of the school
Application and Next Steps
The closing date for applications is 30 November 2025
It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children; applicants must be willing to undertake a number of safeguarding checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) This post is also subject to receipt of written references which must be satisfactory to Berkhamsted Schools Group, along with documentary evidence of qualifications. A background screening service including a review of candidate’s online presence will be carried out as part of the recruitment process, by an independent third-party screening partner.
Successful applicants will need to provide confirmation of permission to work in the UK
Please note that under the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, the school has an obligation to ensure applicants have the right to work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. (If it is found that those documents do not meet the legal requirement, an offer of employment will be withdrawn)
Where the successful candidate has worked or been a resident overseas in the previous five years, such checks and confirmations as the school may require in accordance with statutory guidance.
We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race
Candidates with a disability who are invited to interview should inform the School of any necessary reasonable adjustments or arrangements to assist them in attending the interview
If you have any questions relating to this role please contact the HR department at recruitment@berkhamsted com
Early applications are encouraged, and interviews may take place on a rolling basis We reserve the right to extend or close the deadline
