Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant (Maternity Cover)
Dumpton is a thriving, coeducational Prep School built on a simple but powerful belief: that every child has remarkable potential within them. Our role is to create an environment in which each individual has the very best opportunity to flourish. Our values — Be Kind and Aim High — are not slogans on a wall; they guide our decisions, shape our culture and define our expectations of one another.
We are seeking a caring, enthusiastic and proactive Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team for a period of maternity cover. The successful candidate will support the Class Teacher in delivering a nurturing, engaging and high-quality learning environment for our pupils. This varied role includes supporting children’s learning in and out of the classroom, assisting with lesson preparation, supervising pupils throughout the school day, and helping with specialist activities such as PE, Music, Dance and Swimming.
We are looking for someone who:
· Has experience working with children, ideally within a classroom setting
· Demonstrates strong literacy, numeracy and communication skills
· Builds positive and supportive relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues
· Is organised, professional and enthusiastic
· Shares our school values of being kind and aiming high
· Enjoys working as part of a team and is willing to go the extra mile
A relevant TA qualification is desirable but not essential. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is central to this role, and all staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of child protection and professional conduct. This is an excellent opportunity to join a thriving and supportive school community.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant
REPORTS TO: Head of Pre-Prep
DATE OF ISSUE: February 2026
BACKGROUND
Dumpton School is a Prep School in the heart of Dorset near the thriving market town of Wimborne, which offers an outstanding education to children aged 2 to 13 years old. The school has undergone a prolonged period of stability and success, and boasts superb, modern facilities, a strong roll of over 340 pupils, and a forward thinking and ambitious approach to education, recognised by ISI as having a “significant strength” in our most recent inspection.
The school’s strength is built upon a brilliant staff team who work hard to create a superb environment for children to flourish and fulfil their potential, focusing on academic success, as well as character education.
Two core values – Be Kind and Aim High – lie at the cornerstone of Dumpton’s ethos and culture, and also sit at the heart of Dumpton’s vision ‘a nurturing and aspirational environment where every child fulfils their academic and personal potential’.
PURPOSE:
The Dumpton Pre-Prep and Nursery are undergoing and exciting period of growth and success. The Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant will provide a high standard of care to pupils and parents in the Pre-Prep and assist the Class Teacher.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- To support children with their learning in and out of the classroom.
- To support the Class Teacher with preparation and planning of lessons and learning activities.
- To work with individual or small groups of pupils on specific areas of focus as directed by the class teacher.
- To communicate and build positive relationships with parents.
- To support in the supervision of pupils throughout the day including outside play time and lunchtime.
- To assist in any specialist lessons throughout the week like Swimming, PE, Dance or Music.
- To assist pupils with intimate care if required
- To be friendly, informative and well-organised.
- To work in a clean, tidy and organised environment both inside and outside the building.
- To be professional at all times and deal with any matter professionally.
- To assist with the routine operation of the class on a daily basis.
- To attend staff meetings, INSET training and training courses as required.
- To ensure that appropriate Health and Safety, risk assessment and hygiene procedures are implemented.
- To work in accordance with Dumpton School policies.
- To understand Safeguarding Children and report any concerns or observations to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the employee will be required to perform duties outside of this at the discretion of the Headmaster
PERSON SPECIFICATION
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Job Title: Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant Date: February 2026 Department: Pre-Prep |
Essential/ Desirable |
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SELECTION CRITERIA |
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Qualifications |
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· TA or other relevant qualifications |
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Experience/Knowledge |
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· Experience working with children · Experience supporting children in a classroom environment |
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Key Skills |
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· Good standards of literacy and numeracy · Proven team working ability · Strong communication skills · An ability to create positive, proactive and supportive relationships with parents |
E E E E |
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Personal Qualities required |
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· Positive, can do attitude – someone who aims high in all that they do · Friendly and empathetic manner – someone who is kind in all that they do · A willingness to uphold the school values of ‘being kind’ and ‘aiming high’ at all times · A desire to be a team player at all times · A propensity to ‘go the extra mile’ |
E E E E E E |
Dumpton School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Dumpton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.
