The posting
Job Title: Teaching Assistant - Level 1
Actual Annual Salary: £10,223 - £11,153 Based on hours and week worked
Full Time Equivalent Salary: £26,798 - £29,208 (CLF Grade B) Based on full time hours, all year round.
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Contract Length: Fixed Until 31 August 2027
Hours: 16.5 hours per week - Part Time, Term Time Only plus Inset days
Additional information: This role is offered on a 16.5 hour per week basis, working Wednesday 12:00pm to 3:30pm, and Thursday and Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm (with a 30-minute unpaid break on Thursday and Friday), making it an ideal opportunity for someone seeking a part-time position within a supportive school environment.
Potential Start Date: 02 November 2026 (Subject to completion of pre-employment checks)
An opportunity to empower students to reach their full potential by delivering tailored support that enhances learning, engagement, and well-being:
We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant Level 1 to join the team at Minerva Primary Academy. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting children to thrive both academically and personally within an inclusive and nurturing environment.
This role will be based within a Reception class, working alongside an experienced class teacher and a well-established team who pride themselves on delivering high-quality provision and meaningful interactions that support every child's development. You will play an important part in creating a positive, engaging and nurturing learning environment where children feel valued, supported and encouraged to achieve their best.
The successful candidate will be equally comfortable working independently and as part of a strong, collaborative team that champions inclusion and believes every child can succeed. You will be willing to support children across different age groups and developmental stages, adapting your approach to meet individual needs and ensuring all pupils can access learning and achieve their full potential.
Working closely with teachers and other colleagues, you will support the educational, social and emotional development of pupils through the delivery of planned learning activities and interventions. You will help create positive learning experiences, promote engagement, and contribute to measurable improvements in pupil attainment, confidence and wellbeing.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Is committed to inclusion and ensuring every child feels valued, supported and able to succeed.
- Can work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- Has a genuine passion for improving the life chances of children and helping them reach their full potential.
- Understands the role of a Teaching Assistant and how to support pupils' learning, development and wellbeing within the classroom.
- Is able to build positive relationships with pupils, colleagues, parents and carers.
- Can engage and motivate children on a one-to-one basis and within small groups, using positive behaviour management strategies.
- Demonstrates patience, empathy, resilience and emotional intelligence when supporting children with a wide range of needs.
- Is adaptable and confident in supporting pupils of different ages, abilities and developmental stages, including those with additional needs.
- Has strong communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
- Is committed to safeguarding, equality, diversity and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- Is reflective, open to feedback and committed to continuous professional development.
- Holds GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent, and is willing to undertake relevant training and qualifications to support ongoing development.
Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached job description and person specification, prior to submitting an application.
About Minerva Primary Academy:
Minerva Primary Academy is a happy and successful school. We are a popular two-form entry primary school located in Fishponds, Bristol with a committed staff and a purpose-built modern building and unique playground. Our school ethos is 'Learning, Believing, Growing, Achieving' and everything we do is underpinned by our high expectations and a love of lifelong learning. To support our children to understand themselves as effective learners, we explicitly teach and promote seven learning dispositions: self-agency, growth mindset, perseverance, being curious and creative, making connections and collaborating.
We are committed and passionate about providing our children with the best possible start to their education. We encourage all children to be Minerva Global Citizens who are safe, responsible, respectful and an active citizen within our community. We value creativity and the arts and have strong links with Bristol Beacon.
Why work at CLF?
We are a diverse and inclusive community of 37 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.
We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters. Over 71% of the pupils who attend Minerva Primary Academy are from global majority groups, so we particularly encourage applicants from those groups in order to represent the pupils we serve, as well as wider underrepresented groups including gender, transgender, age disability, sexual orientation or religion.
We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
What we can offer you:
- Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Generous annual leave.
- A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.
- Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
- A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
- Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!
Recruitment timeline:
Closing Date: 04 October 2026 @11.59pm
Shortlisting date: 05 October 2026
Interviews: 15 October 2026
We welcome visits from potential candidates. If you would like to arrange a school visit prior to the closing date, please contact the academy/site directly to arrange a suitable appointment.
As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs – a full education and employment history must be provided through our application form.
Please note we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.
