Candidate Information Pack

Teaching Assistant: Primary Section

Full time, permanent. Required from September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the role of Teaching Assistant at The Cathedral School, Llandaff

I am delighted that you are interested in joining The Cathedral School and I look forward to introducing you to our beautiful campus and wonderful school community.

You will be joining us at an exciting time, following the school being named third in the UK independent school rankings for A Levels in 2023 (The Telegraph) and the Sunday Times Welsh Independent School of the Year for two years’ running; 2024 and 2025.

Alongside this, in the school’s most recent Estyn inspection it was judged to be excellent in all five categories. Pupils were described as “confident, ambitious, aspirational and well-informed learners” and the report celebrated the “outstanding subject knowledge” and “passion and enthusiasm” of the teaching staff.

It highlighted teachers’ committed contribution to “exceptional levels of support within and beyond the classroom to help pupils to develop self-confidence”.

The school not only prides itself on its musical, academic, sporting and artistic achievements, but also on its ability to challenge and motivate all of its students. We want children to take risks in the classroom, not to be afraid of getting it wrong, but rather to be confident enough to ask questions and think for themselves. All children have talents and gifts, both in and out of the classroom, and we look to identify and celebrate these at every opportunity.

I look forward to hearing from you and considering your application.

Head Clare Sherwood

The School

“A dynamically run school that parents pick for its solid academics and family feel. Music and sport are particularly impressive for a small school. The students work hard, make friends for life, and clearly adore the place.” The Good Schools Guide, 2023.

The Cathedral School, Llandaff

The Cathedral School is the leading independent school in Cardiff, Wales. It educates approx. 800 students, boys and girls, aged from 3 – 18.

First class academic teaching, excellent facilities and an extensive co-curricular programme, underpinned by high quality pastoral care and the school’s Christian ethos, give Cathedral School pupils the opportunity to reach their full potential, both academically and personally, in a vibrant and supportive environment.

The History of CSL

The school is located on an attractive campus adjacent to the ancient Llandaff Cathedral. It was founded in 1880 as a choir school to provide choristers to the Cathedral, and this tradition continues today.

The school moved to its present campus in 1958, then numbering 190 boys and being a preparatory school. It became co-educational in 1978, and expanded very successfully to GCSE in 2007, achieving amongst the best GCSE results in Wales every year since.

The Sixth Form began in September 2013 and has grown and developed each year; with outstanding results and students progressing to a wide range of university courses.

There are no boarders; all students come from the locality, most from within a 20-mile radius. Standards, academic and behavioural, are very high. All students are expected to give and to be the best they can.

The Role

We are seeking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our thriving Primary section on a permanent basis from September 2026. It is likely that this appointment will be in the Junior section initially with a strong focus on leading support groups and learning interventions Hours of work will be 8.00 am until 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday during term time, with a willingness to support in After School Care for at least one evening a week from 4.00pm until 6.00 pm, paid as additional hours.

The pupils at the school are great fun and standards of behaviour are high. We are a friendly, good-humoured and supportive team, and look forward to welcoming a creative, knowledgeable and inspirational Teaching Assistant to our school community. If you would like any additional information about the role, please contact Mrs Sally Walsh, Head of Primary via WalshSL@cathedral-school.co.uk.

Key Responsibilities

The person employed will be responsible to the Head of Primary for the professional execution of their duties. These include, in particular:

To be consistently reliable in the supervision and assistance of young children whilst engaged in specific activities.

To be helpful, supportive, kind and caring to the children.

To work closely and supportively with the classroom teachers, following direction and showing initiative.

To have a good understanding of the Early Years, Key Stage 1 and/or Key Stage 2 Curriculum (England) and help provide exciting and creative stimulus that will engage the pupils.

To engage in lesson planning along with the class teacher and other colleagues.

To assist with pupil assessment.

To lead and deliver purposeful and challenging activities to groups of pupils, in a way that is engaging, challenging and fun.

To support with classroom displays, continuous provision and the organisation of resources.

To support the class teacher with the behaviour management and personal needs of the pupils.

On occasions, to lead larger group or whole class activities.

To support pupils at lunchtimes and carry out lunch and play duties as required.

To be willing to support in After School Care for a least one evening a week from 4.00pm until 6.00 pm, paid as additional hours.

To be able to liaise professionally with parents when required and to refer any problems or difficulties to the class teacher or Assistant Head, as appropriate.

To attend all relevant Section meetings when requested (there is a weekly meeting 3.45–5.00pm on Thursdays).

To support school functions, often beyond working hours, particularly supporting After School Care, Mini Mitres Holiday Club and events such as Open Morning, school productions, etc.

To be supportive of the school’s Christian ethos.

To be willing to take on a responsibility that will impact on the section beyond your classroom.

Whole School Responsibilities

All school staff are expected to:

Have a full disclosure DBS check, and support and contribute to the school’s responsibility for safeguarding students.

Work towards and support the school vision, ethos and the current objectives outlined in the School Development Plan.

Comply with policies and procedures of the school, including those referred to in the Staff Handbook.

Work within the school’s Health and Safety Policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, pupils and visitors.

Work within the school’s Equal Opportunities Policy to promote equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective.

Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with pupils, parents and colleagues.

Be self-reflective and committed to your own continued professional development, participating in training and keeping up to date with current procedures and practices.

Engage actively in the appraisal process.

Contribute to and support the wider life of the school, eg. attending school open days where appropriate (incl one Saturday in early October) and attending other functions and events.

Undertake such other reasonable duties related to the job purpose as required from time to time.

This Job Description is not exhaustive and is subject to regular review. All staff are expected to make a meaningful and significant contribution to the co-curricular life of the school, and to be in full sympathy with the Christian ethos of this Woodard School, an ethos which pervades all strands of school life.

Person Specification

Essential skills and qualifications:

Qualified teaching assistant to Level 3 or equivalent

1 year minimum experience of working with Primary aged children, with a record of excellence

Up-to-date knowledge of curriculum and assessment for 3 to 11 year olds

Excellent communication and organisational skills

Strong commitment to the development of the ‘whole child’

Competent ICT skills

High quality of written English

Good standard of academic Mathematics

Desirable skills and qualifications:

Experience of working in KS1 and KS2

Experience of leading intervention programmes

Appropriate evidence of commitment to professional development

Understanding of the relationship with parents in a fee-paying school context

Forest School experience

Trained First Aider

Safeguarding and Child Protection

The Cathedral School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all employees to share this commitment. Applicants for this post must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with any previous employer, as considered appropriate, and a criminal record check via the Disclosure & Barring Service. They will be expected to uphold the school’s Safeguarding Policy (copy on school website) at all times.

Personal characteristics

Enjoy working with, and have a good rapport with children, with the ability to nurture positive relationships

Show a clear understanding of, and sympathy with, the Christian faith

Have a strong commitment to achieving high standards

Be able to build excellent working relationships with colleagues, and be committed to a good team ethic

Be a supportive and motivating team member

Be able to see tasks through to completion, and within set timeframes

A strong commitment to working with parents/carers and the ability to build positive relationships with families

Flexible with a ‘can-do’ attitude

Diplomatic and trustworthy

A sense of humour and perspective.

Salary and Staff Benefits

The current salary range for this role is £24,917 to £25,972 per annum (pay award pending) and will reflect the experience of the person appointed. The normal hours of work will be 8.00am until 4.00pm, Monday to Friday during term time (c.35 weeks per year), including a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.

Other benefits include:

All staff are provided with lunch daily, free of charge.

Staff are enrolled into an ‘auto-enrolment’ pension scheme if eligible, and may still be entitled to join if not automatically enrolled. Further details can be provided on request.

The Staff Wellbeing Committee helps to support staff welfare, and all staff have access to a gym, and weekly yoga and pilates sessions.

The professional development of staff is a high priority, and there is a supportive appraisal process.

School holidays are significantly more generous than the state sector and, whilst the school day is slightly longer, the enthusiasm for learning throughout the school is palpable.

The Cathedral School community seeks to be a welcoming and inclusive one, and the school is an exciting, challenging and rewarding place to work.

Application Procedure

Please download and complete the application form and email it, together with a covering letter of no more than two sides of A4, to Mrs Clare Sherwood, Head via workforus@cathedral-school.co.uk.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 24 June at 9.00am. Interviews will take place as soon as th possible thereafter.

We are committed to a policy of equality. It is recognised and welcomed that teaching and support staff will come to the school with a variety of faiths, beliefs and backgrounds. We aim to ensure that no job applicant, member of staff, student or other member of the school community is treated less favourably on grounds of race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or religious belief, sex or sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital or civil partner status, disability or age.

Further information about the school, including details of our Equal Opportunities Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy, are available at www.cathedral-school.co.uk.

Our Aims & Ethos

The Cathedral School is a member of the Woodard family of schools and is the only Anglican choir school in Wales. The Christian faith is central to the life of the school and all members of staff are expected to actively promote the aims of a Christian school, to support the Woodard ethos, to contribute willingly and generously of their time and commitment to school life, and to sincerely seek to do and to be their best. In addition to membership of the Woodard Corporation, the Cathedral School is a member of the HMC, the Society of Heads, IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools) and also of the Choir Schools’ Association.

The School offers a broad curriculum which it aspires to deliver through the highest standards of teaching. It is expected that students will progress within the School until A-level.

At The Cathedral School, young people from all faiths and traditions, or none at all, flourish in our rich, diverse culture enabling them to lead full and creative adult lives. Ultimately, our aim is to equip our young people with the skills, abilities, interests, experiences, qualifications and, most importantly, vision and values to be the best that they can be; to respect and care for others; and to spend their lives promoting the common good. We hope that each of them will, in some way either great or small, make the world a better place.

The Cathedral School has a very special ethos which underpins all that we do. Our school aims to nurture the talent and personality of each pupil, enabling all to thrive within a mutually respectful and supportive environment. We do this through:

Achievement: We strive, day in and day out, to provide the scaffolding for achievement in any and all fields. We recognise that all young people have a unique set of skills and enable all pupils to fulfil their potential.

Care: We foster a climate of care for one other, focusing on kindness, thoughtfulness and respect. We learn to listen to and understand the beliefs and values of one another. We help every child to understand that they hold their own destiny in their hands, to understand the value of hard work and to learn to love their neighbour. All of us are equally important members of the school community, valuable, distinct and unique.

Opportunity: Nurtured by our Christian values, we make sure that each child is able to find what they can excel at. We encourage them to search out opportunity, not waiting for it to come knocking. Our wide range of opportunities develop confidence, allowing each child to find what they excel at. From there the sky is the limit.

Ambition: At the Cathedral School, we look to ignite the spark that fires ambition, and teach how to handle that ambition with humility. Ambition is doing your best, not shouldering others to the side but working together. It is relishing the challenge and celebrating each milestone reached, not just for ourselves but for the whole community.

Leadership: Together, we are creating an inspiring vision of the future and building compassionate and active citizens. Leadership is about listening, learning and working together and every voice counts. The confidence gained at the Cathedral School will allow each child to get the best out of their life.