We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Grade 5 Teaching Assistant to join our friendly and supportive team at Waterside Primary School. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about helping children achieve their full potential in a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.
As a Grade 5 Teaching Assistant, you will:
- Support teaching and learning across the school, both in class and in small groups.
- Work under the direction of class teachers and the SENCo to deliver targeted interventions.
- Assist in creating an engaging, safe, and positive classroom environment.
- Provide care and encouragement to children, supporting their social and emotional development.
- Contribute to planning and assessment to ensure every pupil makes progress.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in working with children in a school or childcare setting.
- Patient, flexible, and motivated with excellent communication skills.
- Able to build positive relationships with pupils, staff, and parents.
- Confident in supporting pupils with a range of abilities and additional needs.
- Qualified to at least NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant childcare/education subject.
Waterside Primary School is proud to be situated in the heart of Stoke on-Trent where cultural richness and diversity is celebrated within our school and our local community. There is sharp focus at Waterside on becoming respectful and tolerant citizens which enable positive interactions within and beyond our school. Although there is a high level of deprivation, and social challenges we are committed to ‘Empowering Learners’ and enriching lives.
Due to the challenges within our context, we place high priority on developing the whole child. We are highly ambitious and inclusive and strive to intrinsically embed the British Values and our Personal Development curriculum including our school values (Respect, Determination, Excellence, Friendship, Courage, Inspiration, Equality) to ensure that pupils acquire skills and knowledge for future learning and life in modern Britain. All staff at Waterside are highly aspirational and consistently deliver rich learning experiences within our ambitious broad and balance 4D curriculum, that secure academic achievement and progress, whilst going beyond the curriculum to reinforce the skills required for life-long learning.
At Waterside, we understand the importance of equity in ensuring all pupils are able to achieve from their individual starting points, and through the challenging and diversified opportunities that we provide, children become confident learners who are prepared for life beyond the classroom.
Our ambition and passion for success for all, drives the work that we do and the decisions that we make.
All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.
Join Shaw Education Trust – Support, Teach, Lead… Make the Remarkable Happen
At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role holds the power to transform a life. Whether you're supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you’ll be part of something extraordinary.
We are a dynamic and growing family of Primary, Secondary, and Special Schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Sponsored by the charity Shaw Trust, our mission is to unlock opportunity for every young person—whatever their background, ability, or starting point.
Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their growth. Through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent acceleration, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals and we champion wellbeing, value every voice, and create a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.
You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and professional community fuel success. Every academy in our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital part in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.
At the heart of our work is a deep respect for the children and young adults we serve—our “precious cargo.” We are proud to "exactly like nothing else” and bridge the gap between education and the wider world, preparing every
student for further education, employment, or training in inclusive environments where integrity, equality, and opportunity thrive.
If you have the heart, passion, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our incredible team.
Support. Teach. Lead. Belong. Thrive.
Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.
We believe that every child holds the power to be extraordinary!
That belief drives everything we do across our growing family of Primary schools. United by a passion for excellence, we work collaboratively—drawing on the latest research and bold innovation—to create vibrant, inspiring learning experiences that help every child shine.
Our Trust-wide, evolving 3D Primary Curriculum and forward-thinking Digital Strategy are crafted to spark curiosity, fuel imagination, and immerse children in energetic, meaningful learning. We are building more than just knowledge—we’re nurturing confidence, creativity, and a deep love of learning. Our schools are caring, stimulating places where children feel safe, empowered, and fully prepared for the journey ahead.
We know just how crucial these early years are! Research shows that the quality of primary education has the single greatest impact on a child’s academic growth—and their social and emotional development too, but we also know we are not in this alone. A child’s earliest experiences, shaped by strong partnerships between home, preschool, and school, form the foundation for lifelong success. That’s why we value our families as essential partners in every step of the journey.
Unlike other MATs, we embrace the diversity of our schools and communities, and we support each one to develop bespoke programmes of study that reflect their unique context—programmes that help children explore deeper, think bigger, and dream bolder. Our pledge is simple and powerful: to enable every child to thrive.
Please visit our Careers site for more information on Seabridge Primary on Waterside Primary School Career Site (schoolrecruiter.com)
Or click the QR Code to see all vacancies with Waterside Primary School.
Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:
- An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
- Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
- Electric Car Scheme: Environmentally friendly vehicles with our electric car scheme.
- Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
- Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
- Free Eye Tests
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.
Safer Recruitment & Equal Opportunities Statement.
Waterside Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment, click here to review Safeguarding and Pupil Protection Policy https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/key-information
This position is subject to robust vetting procedures, including an online search for all shortlisted candidates, in line with our Trust’s commitment to safer recruitment.
An enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), formerly known as the CRB, is required. You will be asked to disclose all relevant unspent and, where applicable, unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions, and convictions.
Shaw Education Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are fully committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at every stage.
In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.
Application deadline: Wednesday, 3rd September 2025 at 9am
Interview date: Thursday, 4th and Friday, 5th September 2025
We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, therefore, we encourage early applications.
Successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Work Location: In person
