* Ipswich Preparatory School
* Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3SG
* Salary: £17,217 per annum (0.8 FTE)
* Hours: Part time*
* Contract: Fixed term, initially to the end of the summer term 2026. Required as soon as possible
* Reference: 0447
* 8:15am - 3:45pm, Monday to Friday during Ipswich School term time, including a 30-minute unpaid break (35 weeks per year)
We are seeking to appoint a motivated, well organised, willing and flexible person to primarily provide Teaching Assistant support, working with our pupils across Key Stages 1 and 2.
With your strong communication skills and a caring nature, you will establish good working relationships with learners and enable them to build and develop their confidence. You should ideally have experience in this area and be willing to contribute to the full life of our busy school.
Ipswich Preparatory School, for pupils aged 4 –11, is the primary aged stage of Ipswich School and close links are enjoyed with the Senior School. Generally, there are two classes per year group, Reception to Year 6 and a day care nursery (The Lodge) which cares for some 100 children aged 3 months to the time the children join Reception.
The Prep School operates as one unit, from Reception to Year 6 with lessons on Mondays to Fridays. Whilst there are organisational differences between the ways in which school life is structured for ‘infants’ in Lower Prep and ‘junior’ pupils in Upper Prep, there is no formal separation of the school into two sections.
Pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum. Academic achievement is high and the school has particular strengths in art, music, drama and sport. All classes, with the exception of Years 4 to 6 are generally taught by their Form Teacher, although some subjects, such as Languages, Art, Computing, Games, Music and Science are taught by teachers specially appointed to teach that subject, throughout the school. The school has Learning Support staff, a school counsellor and a good number of teaching assistants.
The school enjoys a talented, committed and loyal teaching staff. The ratio of teachers to pupils is approximately 1:11. In addition to Form Teachers, there are specialist teachers for PE, Games, Music, Art, Languages, Science, Drama, Computing and Learning Support. Form teachers, in addition to subject specialists, take on subject leader roles.
All staff who teach at the school make contributions to school life outside their own specialisation as well as to our co-curricular programme. The school has a strong community feel, and new members of staff invariably speak of the supportiveness and friendliness of their colleagues and the pupils.
Hours of Work:
o this is a fixed term post, initially to the end of the summer term 2026 and is subject to completion of a 6-month probationary period
o full time hours: 8:15am - 3:45pm Monday to Friday during Ipswich School term time, including a 30-minute unpaid break (35 weeks per year). This is a 0.8 FTE post, and the exact working arrangements can be explored at interview
o all Teaching Assistants are required to work on Open Morning on one Saturday (usually) in September each year. Please note you are always expected to work your normal hours on the two days prior to the start of the Michaelmas (Autumn) term each year, and on the INSET day (currently in February each year). These days are staff INSET days for training and development activities, and they are included in the definition of Ipswich School term time.
Salary and benefits
o the salary is dependent on skills and experience (starting from an annual full time equivalent salary of £17,217) and can be discussed further at interview
o the annual salary quoted is for a whole academic year and includes statutory holiday pay. Your actual salary will depend on your start date in the academic year and will be 0.8 FTE
o annual leave may only be taken outside of Ipswich School term times
o after 3 months’ service and/or in line with workplace pension legislation, you will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme with 10% employer contributions, and you will receive 3x death in service cover
o you will have access to Smarthealth, the school’s wellbeing app for staff which offers 24/7 GP access and mental health support
o free lunch is provided in the Senior School Dining Hall during term time when the kitchen is in operation
o staff are able to use the school’s swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations)
o after 3+ years’ service, support staff are eligible for staff fee remission.
To find out more
Visits to the school are welcome and should be arranged with Head’s PA, Mrs C Clarke via email on prephead@ipswich.school
How to apply
We would encourage you to download a full job description and application form from our website or email hr@ipswich.school or call 01473 408300.
Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format, please contact us.
Completed application forms, with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two referees; should be sent by 12 pm on Monday 20 October 2025 to Mrs Lucy Southgate, Acting Prep Head, Ipswich Preparatory School, 3 Ivry Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3QW or emailed to hr@ipswich.school
Closing date: 12 pm, 20 October 2025.
Interview date: 3 November 2025.
Please note
Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.