About Us
The school has a long history in the village, beginning 180 years ago. In the 1950s a new school was opened on our current site, with the infants being separated out in the 1970s.
In recent years the school has grown to meet the needs of the local community, growing from a 2-form to a 3-form junior school. We now have 12 classes across the school, with around 350 pupils in total. The school has a good reputation among
parents and the village community, and our Ofsted inspection in April 2025 confirmed that East Preston Juniors is a welcoming and inclusive school, where staff feel valued.
As a school, we have a strong team of Teaching Assistants who support learning across their year teams, complementing a core pastoral team who provide support and guidance to staff and work closely with children in small groups or individually.
New members of the team will be supported by a colleague to 'learn the ropes' and will find themselves part of a happy and collaborative team who are keen to support one another.
EPJS is part of Schoolsworks Academy Trust, a small MAT operating 10 schools along the Sussex coast. We use our partnership with these schools to share experience and
practice, and to provide opportunities for joint professional development. The trust also has a strong secondment programme, offering opportunities for career development.
As a headteacher, I want to work in a school where staff enjoy their work, and are free to
prepare great lessons and provide exciting opportunities for our pupils. Wherever possible, we work to minimise workload for staff, and ensure that colleagues want to be here. Current staff at the school describe a friendly and supportive team with a good work-life balance, and where we laugh every day.
Job Details
Ref: 400115
Required: November 2025 or as soon as practicable
Contract: Fixed Term until July 2026
Hours: 27.75 hours per week, (Monday to Friday)
Salary: NJC Grade 3, SCP 3 – 4, £24,796 - £25,185 p.a. pro rata Actual salary £15,523
Location: East Preston Junior School
This role will largely be focused on providing support to individuals or small groups of children, either in the classroom, or working to provide structured interventions to support children to 'catch up and keep up' with their peers. It also includes playground and lunch supervision duties.
Closing date: Friday 3rd October
Interview date: Thursday 9th October
What You Need to Succeed
We are looking for a positive, caring and well-motivated teaching assistant to work within this friendly and supportive school. The role will involve classroom support, working with small class groups or individuals, and break and lunchtime supervision.
The role would suit an individual who has experience of working with children in an
educational or similar environment and enjoys supporting children's learning. It may also suit someone who is looking to start a career in the education sector.
The successful applicant will join a team of teaching assistants who provide academic
and pastoral support in each year team of the school.
Further details and Application forms can be downloaded from this advert
Further Information
East Preston Junior School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
our children. All posts are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks, including
references, qualifications, health and enhanced DBS checks. East Preston Junior School is part of the Schoolsworks Academy Trust and the Trust is fully committed to supporting the career development of all staff.
Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and will take place after school. Please contact the office if you would like to arrange a visit either via email or phone and speak to the Office Manager.
West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.
How to Apply
Applicants should clearly state on the application form their current expertise and
previous experience. Training and support will be provided for the successful applicant to work in the role, but prior experience of working with children is essential in the first
instance. Please refer to the Person Specification when completing the Skills and
Competencies part of the application.
Completed application forms should be sent to
NOTE TO CANDIDATES - Please do not select the 'Apply online' button as the School processes your applications directly rather than through this site.
The reference number for this role is SCHO00998.
Job Reference: SCHO00998