Engage  Inspire  Challenge

 Teaching Assistant
Year 1

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www.davenies.co.ukContents

The School

Aims of the School

The Appointment

Job Description

Person Specification

Salary & Benfits

The Department

Facilities & Staff

Child Protection

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At Davenies, our outstanding facilities support us
in providing a positive learning experience with our
own language of learning that nurtures each boy’s
understanding of how he learns.  Davenies’ boys
are polite and friendly with their own individual
characters, personalities, passions and interests.

The School

Davenies is a thriving IAPS day school for
boys aged 4-13.  Our ethos and philosophy
enable the boys to make the most of their
preparatory years, supported by high quality
pastoral care, a broad and stimulating
curriculum and numerous extra-curricular
opportunities.

Davenies has its own distinct character and from their
earliest years children are encouraged to relish the
learning experience.

We are committed to an education both in and out
of the classroom, thereby enabling the academic,
artistic, musical, creative and physical potential of
each child to flourish.  This school is a warm, caring
and happy one, where self-esteem is nurtured and
grown; we believe that by fostering a wide range
of interests and passions we provide the boys with
every opportunity to develop in confidence.  Our
high quality teachers have an excellent track record
of preparing children for life at the country’s leading
senior schools and beyond.

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www.davenies.co.ukAims of the School

The Appointment

Davenies’ vision is to engage, inspire and challenge.

Teaching Assistant

Davenies’ mission is to ensure that every boy experiences a breadth of educational opportunities, encouraging and cultivating a lifelong
eagerness for learning, whether academic, creative, artistic or sporting. We encourage the boys to discover their own passions and
talent, to develop determination and resilience, to reach their potential, and to become mindful and thoughtful individuals, with a
strong sense of service, responsibility and community.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and engaging full time Teaching Assistant to
come in and provide class support to our lovely Year 1 Class Teachers.  This is an
ideal role for individuals who have previous experience of working in a similar role
who enjoy interacting with staff and pupils in a delightful environment.

Davenies’ aims are:
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To offer academic excellence alongside an extensive educational experience
To delivery contemporary and highly skilled teaching approaches whilst embracing traditional values
To provide a vibrant, caring and inclusive environment to which all boys contribute and within which they thrive

Fundamental to this is our understanding of boys and how we approach their learning, whilst never losing sight of each boy as an individual.

Davenies’ ethos underpins our vision to engage, inspire and challenge:
• By engaging, we develop curious, reflective and enthusiastic thinkers
• With inspiration, we nurture motivated and ambitious learners
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Through challenge, we cultivate courageous and determined characters

Davenies’ spirit provides the stepping stones that develop courteous, confident, thoughtful and independent young men, and supports our school’s motto,
singulus pro fraternitate laborans – each striving for the good of all.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit a Davenies Support Staff Application Form
with a cover letter for the attention of the Headmaster. Applications should be sent
via email to Mrs Joanne Cook, HR Manager (hrmanager@davenies.co.uk), or by
post.

Application Deadline: 3 October 2025
Interviews: W/C 6 October 2025

The selection process will include a tour of the School and an interview with a
panel of at least two members of staff. Other selection techniques will include
interaction with pupils and prospective colleagues, including group support during
a lesson.

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www.davenies.co.uk

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www.davenies.co.ukTeaching Assistant - Year 1
Job Description

Teaching Assistant - Year 1
Person Specification

Duties

Qualifications, Training and Experience

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To work under the overall direction of the Headmaster and to be accountable in the first instance to the Head of Pre-Prep
To work with a designated class under the day to day direction of the class teacher
To assist in the daily routine of the classroom including where appropriate helping with ideas and planning
To liaise and co-operate with parents, staff and others involved in the smooth, effective, safe and secure operation of the school
To inform the class teacher or the Head of Pre-Prep of any significant observations or developments regarding any pupil
To attend meetings of the staff of the school and to contribute to them
To assist with the after school club (flop club) alongside the Flop Club Supervisor and Flop Club Assistant
To attend school/parent consultations and to contribute to them where appropriate
To undertake playground supervision as and when required during the school day
To act as a member of the school staff as a whole, participating fully in collective enterprises such as activities in music, drama, sports and school outings
To assist the class teacher in the organisation of class outings
To take responsibility for acquiring and improving their skills by attending future training as required
To undertake any other duties that the Head of Pre-Prep or the class teacher may reasonably require, in order to facilitate the efficient administration of
the school, including supervision of pupils

All staff are expected to demonstrate individual responsibility to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of children and young people.

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The candidate should have previous experience of working with young children
Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education or equivalent qualification
The successful candidate will be required to complete child protection training online (arranged by the school) before they commence the role, where they
have not already received training in the past two years

Competences and Qualities

▪ We are looking for an assistant who is an enthusiast
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The assistant should have a sense of humour and be approachable
The candidate must assist the teacher in making learning enjoyable
It is expected that the assistant will be helpful and assist with ideas and planning
The assistant should be keen to attend courses to further their professional development
The assistant will be expected to encourage an atmosphere of mutual respect when dealing with boys, staff and parents
It is expected that the assistant will help the teacher to provide a bright and stimulating classroom
The candidate has to be an excellent communicator – with children and adults alike
The candidate must be able to work as part of the school’s team
The candidate has to enjoy working with children, to be able to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children
The ability to use ICT

Candidates will be able to demonstrate qualities expected of someone working with children and young people.

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www.davenies.co.ukTeaching Assistant - Year 1
Salary & Benefits

This role is assigned to the Support Staff: Support Pay Group and the salary will be in the range of £23,000 to £27,000 per annum
dependent upon qualifications and experience. In addition the position offers:

A generous employer contribution towards a support staff pension scheme
Personal Accident and Emergency Dental cover, including access to a healthcare helpline and individual counselling services

Benefits
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▪ Death in service (2x annual salary)
Sick pay provision immediately upon joining
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Cycle to work/Tech scheme
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Fee remissions are available for employee children
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▪ We are able to provide childcare voucher provisions
▪ Our talented catering team ensures that staff enjoy complimentary healthy and balanced meals every day
▪ Onsite car parking facilities are available
▪ We place great emphasis on staff wellbeing and morale and we firmly believe in work/life balance for everyone at Davenies. Social events for staff take
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▪ We provide iPads and laptops to all of our staff
▪ We pride ourselves on encouraging and supporting our staff with access to regular Continuing Professional Development courses and training
▪ Davenies branded fleece

place throughout the year

A Probationary Period of three months shall apply to this role.

The Department

There can be no doubt that the first
years of formal schooling are paramount.
During this time boys develop rapidly,
acquiring the knowledge and skills they
need for future schooling and, more
importantly, for life. We instil in our
boys a love of the learning process,
developing their academic capabilities.
At the same time we nurture in them
a sense of respect for others and
themselves and encourage good
manners.

In our ever-changing world the ready use of
technology means that boys must learn how
to filter knowledge and apply it appropriately.
They need to recognise that resilience and
challenge are the key to unlocking learning: this
is what you will see in our Pre-Prep.

The Pre-Prep years establish the foundation
of the Davenies Curriculum, encompassing
English, Maths, Science, History, Geography,
Religious Studies, PSHE and Drama.

Additionally, French, Spanish, Music, PE and
Swimming are taught by specialist teachers. We
use a synthetic phonic approach (Read Write
Inc) to teaching reading and a Singapore Maths
methodology for developing numeracy skills.

The boys and staff benefit from outstanding
learning spaces, facilities and resources,
specifically designed to enrich the learning
experience for boys. With two classes in the
year groups, each supported by their own
Teaching Assistant, the boys encounter work
that is planned carefully to stretch them whilst
building upon previous skills and knowledge.
The boys’ topics, presented in a fun and
practical way, have been chosen specifically to
appeal and hook them into their own learning.

With a challenging curriculum, after-school
clubs and staff who seek the potential in every
child within their care, Davenies Pre-Prep is a
warm, friendly and purposeful environment
where your son’s confidence is fostered and his
efforts recognised.

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www.davenies.co.ukFacilities & Staff

Child Protection

Facilities

Staff

Centred around a Grade II Listed Farmhouse, the school comprises a mix of
traditional and modern buildings, with the latest, the RIBA award-winning
Jubilee Building housing the Pre-Prep and Junior School, having been
completed in September 2015.  Two classes of twenty boys in each of Years 1
& 2 enjoy their own floor of the Jubilee Building, with a large break-out area,
and outside learning areas.  The boys also benefit from the use of the School’s
other buildings and outside areas which house the Dining Room, Sports
facilities including swimming pool, gymnasium and astro turf, and the Library.

Davenies has over 80 employees consisting of full and part time qualified
teachers and teaching support staff (including technicians), and supported by
a team of office staff, a site team led by the Facilities Manager, and a dedicated
School Nurse.  Catering, cleaning and IT support are outsourced, with external
contract staff working alongside the School to provide term-time services.
In addition, the School hosts a range of visiting music, LAMDA and extra-
curricular activity tutors.

Child Protection

Child Protection is always a top priority at Davenies.  Davenies is committed
to providing the best possible care and education to its pupils and to
safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people whilst
offering a supportive working environment to all its members of staff.  The
School recognises that, in order to achieve these aims, it is of fundamental
importance to attract, recruit and retain staff of the highest calibre who share
this commitment.  Child protection screening applies to all staff appointments
within the school, including Enhanced DBS Certificate, Barred Lists check, and
checks against the Teacher and Management Prohibition Lists.  For further
information, please read the School’s Child Protection Policy and Recruitment
Policy and Procedure which are available on the School’s website.

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www.davenies.co.ukStation Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 1AA
E: office@davenies.co.uk  |   T: 01494 685400  |  www.davenies.co.uk