We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and empathetic Level 3 (or similar skills/experience) Teaching Assistant. The main responsibility of the role is 1-1 support in class for our EHCP students in Key Stage 3 and 4 with a range of additional needs including Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia and Sensory Processing needs. In addition, the role would involve supporting students across the school with pastoral matters.
Birkenhead School, awarded the Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year in the North West for 2025, was founded in 1860. It is an HMC independent day school providing education for boys and girls drawn from the whole of the Wirral, Liverpool and as far afield as Chester and North Wales.
Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. The main campus has a village green atmosphere, with classrooms and laboratories looking out over the cricket square. Recent capital developments have included a new landscaped playground and outdoor classroom area.
Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school. Becoming fully co-educational in 2008 reinforced this, and at present, 217 families have more than one child in the School and 27 of those have three or four children here.
A key feature of the School is its strength of community, which runs through the student, staff and parental bodies. The School is embedded within the wider Wirral community, has strong links with local businesses and charities.
The School aims to inspire students both inside and outside the classroom, knowing each individual and providing them with outstanding opportunities to find their niche.
Birkenhead School recruits on attitude as much as the quality of an individuals qualifications on paper, an approach that has played a considerable role in the winning of the Sunday Times award
in short, staff go above and beyond.
Role and Responsibilities
The specific responsibilities would include some 1-1 support for students across the curriculum, leading 1-1 and small group interventions for mental health, social skills and sensory needs and providing additional adult support at lunch and break time. There would be the expectation of providing some cover for absence where necessary. We would particularly like to hear from Teaching Assistants with the expertise to support our extensive co-curricular programme.
Working under the direct instruction of teaching/senior staff, usually in the classroom with the teacher, our Teaching Assistants support access to learning for students, and provide general support to the teacher in the management of the students and the classroom. They also take responsibility for agreed learning activities under an agreed system of supervision. The pastoral element to the role would
provide both academic and wider welfare support to students within Seniors.
Skills and Knowledge
Learning Support/Teaching Assistant experience or skills.
Level 1, 2 and/or 3 qualification or experience to match.
Excellent numeracy/literacy/ICT skills.
Experience of planning, delivering and reviewing 1-1 and small group interventions.
An understanding of effective behaviour management strategies desirable, with a confidence in promoting positive behaviour in children with Autism and co-occurring mental health difficulties.
Knowledge of SEND, Code of Practice and Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures.
If your knowledge or skills look a little different, you are encouraged to apply if you have the qualities and attributes needed; matching your own knowledge and skills to the role description.
The full list of responsibilities and attributes can be found on the Information for Candidates, available on the School Website under Employment Opportunities.
Hours
We have 3 full-time (anticipated to be 36.25 hours per week) and 1 part time (0.4 - 0.6) fixed-term positions, working 36 weeks of the year, determined by EHCP funding. The post holders will be required to work as necessary to carry out the duties of the role. All staff are expected to attend INSET and staff training.
There is flexibility, therefore both full time and job-share applications will be considered for the full-time positions.
Holiday
You will be entitled to School Holidays and Bank Holidays.
Pension
The School operates an auto-enrolment pension scheme.
Other Benefits
We will value and support your contribution to School life and in return provide you with excellent rewards;
Working with fantastic young students
Working as part of a committed team
Term time is 34 weeks
Free use of the fully equipped on-site gym
Access to the Employee Assistance Programme
Support for your continuous professional development
Lunch provided during term time
Electric Car charging points on site
Application
A letter of application, no longer than 2 pages, indicating skills and experience, together with a completed application form, including the names and email addresses of at least two referees, should be sent for the attention of the Deputy Head.
Candidates are welcome to contact Zillah Edwards, School SENDCo at Birkenhead School with any questions relating to the role.
To meet our safeguarding obligations, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is undertaken as part of the recruitment process for all new staff. As Birkenhead School is an educational provider, it is permitted to ask whether an applicant has any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings which would not be filtered in line with current guidance, as defined by The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). It is a criminal offence for an individual who is barred from working with children to apply for a role which is classed as regulated activity.
The closing date for applications is:
9.00am Wednesday 15 th
October 2025.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy and complete the recruitment process when we are in receipt of sufficient applications. Should you wish to apply for this post you are advised to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.
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