Part-Time Teaching Assistant

Information for Candidates applying for the role of
Part-Time Teaching Assistant

Required April 2026

THE SCHOOL

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 and as far afield as Chester and North Wales. There are currently some 82 children
in Early Years (43 in Nursery aged under 3 years old, 39 in our “Pre-Prep” aged 3 to 5 years old), 293 pupils in the
School’s Prep (ages 5-11) and 512 students in Years 7 to Upper Sixth Form. Birkenhead School has been fully co-
educational since September 2008, offering the choice of an independent education to all local children. Across the
School approximately 45% of students are girls.

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 area and an outdoor classroom. There are ongoing and substantial
investments in ICT facilities. In addition to the main campus, the School owns 17 acres of playing fields on two
sites nearby – the primary one being McAllester Field on Bidston Road.

SCHOOL ORGANISATION & VALUES

The School comprises Nursery and Pre-Prep (Early Years), Prep and Seniors and integrates their objectives and
activities  within  a  ‘One  School’  concept.  The  Headmaster  chairs  the  School’s  Senior  Leadership  Team  (SLT)
comprising the Head of Prep, Deputy and Assistant Heads, the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Bursar.

Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school. It is attractive to parents to have all their children in one
school,  and  it  is  a  great advantage  for  the  school  to  be  able  to  establish  strong,  long-lasting  relationships  with
families. The move to co-education reinforced this and at present, 217 families have more than one child in the
School and 27 have three or four children.

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 business and charities, and
offers an extensive bursary programme. 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.

A dedicated, talented and collegiate staff body is required to achieve these aims. The School’s informal motto is
Respect, Responsibility and Resilience, to which we have recently added inclusivity, compassion, integrity, humility
and  courage  as  defined  School  values.  Birkenhead  School  recruits  on  attitude  as  much  as  the  quality  of  an
individual’s qualifications on paper.

SENIORS
512 STUDENTS
AGED 11-18
295 BOYS / 217 GIRLS

PREP
299 PUPILS
AGED 5-11
159 BOYS / 140 GIRLS

NURSERY / PRE-PREP
82 CHILDREN
AGED 3 MONTHS – 5 YEARS
49 BOYS / 33 GIRLS

  Birkenhead School, Registered Office:  The Lodge, 58 Beresford Road, Oxton, CH43 2JD

Tel:  0151 652 4014  |  Fax:  0151 651 3091  |  Email:   headmaster@birkenheadschool.co.uk  |  www.birkenheadschool.co.uk

THE PREP

The Prep is run by Head of Prep, Mr Harry FitzHerbert, and there are two sections, Little School (Reception to
Year 2) and Junior Prep (Years 3 to 6). Mrs Stephanie Ford, Head of Little School, oversees the arrangements for
Little School, and Mr Richard Halpin, Deputy Head of Prep, oversees the arrangements for Junior Prep. There are
currently 115 children on roll in Little School and 198 children on roll in Junior Prep.

The  Prep  is  well  resourced,  with  three  School  buildings,  two  playgrounds,  an  outdoor  classroom  and  outdoor
learning areas. The School buildings are the Little School building, Old School House and the Junior Prep building.
The  Little  School  building  houses  Reception,  Year  1  and  Fun  Club  (used  for  Early  Arrivals  and  After  School
Provision). Old School House is home to our Year 2 classes, Old School House Hall (used for assemblies, music
lessons and other activities), a Reading Resource Room and Learning Support Rooms. The Junior Prep building
houses Prep Gym, Prep Hall, the Science Room, the ICT Room, the Art Room and all the Junior classrooms.

THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We are looking to appoint a skilled and proactive Level 2 Teaching Assistant to support the teaching staff with
academic and pastoral intervention for pupils in Prep. The ability to work across the full age range (Reception to
Year 6) is expected. The role reports to the School SENDCo with daily direction from the Prep Assistant SENDCo
and teaching staff. Usually in the classroom with the teacher, our Teaching Assistants support access to learning for
pupils, and provide general support to the teacher in the management of the pupils and the classroom. They also
take responsibility for agreed learning activities under an agreed system of supervision.

Supporting the Pupils

  To have regard for the safety and wellbeing of pupils at all times.
  To promote pupils’ development in a safe, secure and challenging environment.
  To  establish  productive  working  relationships  with  pupils,  acting  as  a  role  model  and  setting  high
expectations, working alongside individual pupils and groups of pupils in activities specified by the class
teacher, establishing an atmosphere conducive to learning while acting as a role model.

  To listen to pupils reading, promoting enjoyment of reading, and encouraging development of reading skills.
  To develop an understanding of pupils’ specific needs in order to help them learn as effectively as possible,
promoting independence and employing strategies to recognise and reward achievements of self-reliance

  To participate in children’s play, extending and stimulating language through conversation.
  To  meet  the  physical,  pastoral  and  medical  needs  of  pupils  and,  where  necessary  and  appropriate,  to
administer medicines by mouth or carry out other medical procedures (where appropriate training has been
given).

  To encourage inclusion and interaction within the classroom, engaging in activities led by the teacher.
  To assist in the lunchtime supervision of pupils and on outings or visits.
  To encourage good hygiene and assist with self-help skills (feeding, toileting, dressing etc.).
  To display pupils’ work effectively in order to reflect their achievement.
  To develop good relationships with parents and carers, ensuring children’s development is supported.

Supporting the Teacher

  To promote an atmosphere of care and enthusiasm, whilst providing for the day to day care of the children

  Birkenhead School, Registered Office:  The Lodge, 58 Beresford Road, Oxton, CH43 2JD

Tel:  0151 652 4014  |  Fax:  0151 651 3091  |  Email:   headmaster@birkenheadschool.co.uk  |  www.birkenheadschool.co.uk

  To set out, prepare, use, tidy and clean equipment after use in line with the daily/weekly programme of
activities and events, assisting in the general preparation and tidying of the classroom under supervision.
  To be aware of pupils’ needs/progress/achievements and report to the teacher as agreed, while gathering

and passing on information from parents/carers.

  To  provide  administrative  and  clerical  support  e.g.  record  keeping,  photocopying,  filing,  receiving  and

passing money to the Prep Office.

  To assist with tasks within the school’s assessment procedures.
  To work within and support the pupil behaviour policy, anticipating and managing behaviour constructively,

promoting self-control and independence.
  To support pupil record keeping as requested.


If required to provide 1:1 support for a pupil with SEND, be able to liaise effectively with the Prep SENDCo
and class teachers to:

o  provide the best possible support for the pupil
o  develop and plan for the pupil’s individual learning needs
o  support with transitions and PSE development
o  encourage ongoing support through the use of Individual Educational Plans (IEPs)
o  work with outside agencies for support, while also ensuring parental consent and involvement in

each process

Supporting the School

  To comply with and assist with the development of policies and procedures relating to child protection,
health and safety, security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting concerns to the appropriate person.
  To understand and celebrate diversity, ensuring all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and

develop.

  To work alongside other professionals in assessing children’s progress/ needs.
  To attend staff meetings as required and work as a member of the staff team in all relevant activities to

develop the School.

  To recognise own strengths and areas of specialist expertise and use these to advise and support others.
  To promote an atmosphere of care and enthusiasm, where all School families are welcomed and all children

reach their full potential.

  To  develop  positive  working  relationships  with  colleagues  in  their  department  and  the  wider  school

community.

Skills and Knowledge:

  Level 2 for Teaching Assistants or equivalent
  Excellent numeracy/literacy/ICT skills
  Minimum of 2 years’ experience in an educational setting
  Ability to implement policies and the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum

and Key Stage 1.

  Experience of leading small groups
  A sound knowledge of child development
  Experience of working with a variety of different child ages

  Birkenhead School, Registered Office:  The Lodge, 58 Beresford Road, Oxton, CH43 2JD

Tel:  0151 652 4014  |  Fax:  0151 651 3091  |  Email:   headmaster@birkenheadschool.co.uk  |  www.birkenheadschool.co.uk

  An understanding of effective behaviour management strategies desirable, with a confidence in promoting

positive behaviour in children

  Experience of working with children who have SEND
  Knowledge of SEND, Code of Practice and Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures

Personal Attributes:

  To have a genuine concern for young children’s development
  The ability to make the provision educational and fun for children
  Enthusiastic and innovative
  The ability to communicate effectively with children, parents and staff
  To have a gentle, consistent and nurturing approach
  Be enthusiastic, confident and diligent
  Be creative and practical

All staff have the responsibility to:

  Ensure all documentation produced is to a high standard and is in line with the “brand” style
  Be aware and comply with policies and procedures relating to Safeguarding, child protection, health, safety

and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to the appropriate person

  Participate in training and other learning activities as required
  Participate in the School’s Professional Development process
  Provide appropriate guidance, supervision and assistance
  To promote the area of responsibility within the school and beyond
  To represent the school at events as appropriate
  To support and promote the school ethos
  To undertake any other duties and responsibilities as required covered by the general scope of the post.
  To undertake any other reasonable duties

Education is a very privileged profession, and such is the emotional energy invested by the best Teaching Assistants
into the development of their children, one that comes with its considerable highs and lows. Supportive colleagues,
who are positive and see the good in people and situations, are key to creating an enjoyable working environment,
and these are the staff we seek. Birkenhead School is a dynamic environment where teamwork is crucial and staff
are encouraged to ‘roll up their sleeves’, help one another and be pro-active in looking for new initiatives to create
a truly inspiring learning environment for its students. If this is you, we look forward to receiving your application.

REMUNERATION & BENEFITS

Salary
The salary will be £27,917 FTE. This is a term-time position, therefore salary will be paid pro rata based on working
36 weeks per year (0.8FTE)

Hours
This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week based upon EHCP funding. The hours will be spread across 5 days
to provide the necessary support to the pupils. 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.

  Birkenhead School, Registered Office:  The Lodge, 58 Beresford Road, Oxton, CH43 2JD

Tel:  0151 652 4014  |  Fax:  0151 651 3091  |  Email:   headmaster@birkenheadschool.co.uk  |  www.birkenheadschool.co.uk

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 children
  Working as part of a committed team
  Term time is approx. 34 weeks
  Membership of the Employee Assistance Programme
  Free use of the fully equipped on-site gym
  Support for your continuous professional development
  Electric Car charging points

APPLICATION

A letter of application 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  Head  of  Prep  via:
chw@birkenheadschool.co.uk

Applications may also be sent by post to: Cheryl Wallace (Personnel and Compliance Manager), Birkenhead
School, 58 Beresford Road, Oxton, Wirral, CH43 2JD. Application forms can be downloaded from the School’s
website:  www.birkenheadschool.co.uk

Candidates  are welcome  to  contact  the  School  SENDCo,  Miss  Zillah  Edwards,  at  Birkenhead  School  with  any
questions relating to the role via: zee@birkenheadschool.co.uk

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  (i.e.  involves  working  with  children).  As  such,  candidates  are  asked  to  also
complete  the  separate  Criminal  Record  Declaration  Form  on  the  School’s  website.  The  information
disclosed on this form will not be kept with your application form during the application process.

Candidates selected for interview will be offered the opportunity to have a tour of the School and meet with relevant
members of the department.

The closing date for applications 9.00am on Monday 9th March 2026.
Successful candidates are likely to be invited to interview the following week.

  Birkenhead School, Registered Office:  The Lodge, 58 Beresford Road, Oxton, CH43 2JD

Tel:  0151 652 4014  |  Fax:  0151 651 3091  |  Email:   headmaster@birkenheadschool.co.uk  |  www.birkenheadschool.co.uk

  Birkenhead School, Registered Office:  The Lodge, 58 Beresford Road, Oxton, CH43 2JD

Tel:  0151 652 4014  |  Fax:  0151 651 3091  |  Email:   headmaster@birkenheadschool.co.uk  |  www.birkenheadschool.co.uk