Apprentice Teaching Assistant

Polden Bower School

Bridgwater (TA6 4GU)

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 1 November 2026)

Posted on 14 October 2026

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Contents

Summary

We are looking for talented apprentice teaching assistants to join our growing team of staff. If you feel you have what it takes to work with us and feel passionate about meeting the needs of our student’s, we would very much like to hear from you.

Wage

£13,520 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary is term time only.

Actual salary is £11609 (£967 monthly)

Training course
Teaching assistant (level 3)
Hours
32.5 hours per week. Monday, 08.45 - 16.45. Tuesday - Friday, 08.45 - 15.30. Term time only, plus INSET (39 weeks per year).

32 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Friday 20 November 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  •  To help to provide a stable, caring and supportive learning environment
  • To be sensitive to times when you will need to step back in order for pupils to achieve their full learning potential
  • To facilitate social and moral development
  • To support pupils who may present serious challenges in their learning and or behaviour
  • To support learners in becoming more readily engaged in activities
  • To support on a one to one basis or in groups
  • To feel comfortable and confident with very diverse learners
  • To assist the class teacher and/or Senior TA with record keeping
  • Support the teaching and learning processes.

Typically the job will include all, or most of the following elements:

Develop and apply knowledge and understanding of pupils’ general and specific learning needs to ensure that support is given to them at an appropriate level working within a duty of care framework

Learning support is delivered individually and in groups through a range of strategies, these may involve:

  • Supporting and directing literacy and numeracy tasks, simplifying direction and communicating it appropriately
  • Work with and support pupils to ensure they are able to use ICT and other specialist equipment to enhance their learning, using and maintaining a range of specialist resources
  • Be creative in making activities accessible for all learners
  • Motivate and encourage pupils to concentrate on and fulfil the tasks set – but not doing it for them!
  • Undertake learning activities with pupils to ensure a differentiated approach is used to access the curriculum and achieve success
  • Seek to ensure the promotion and reinforcement of pupils’ self esteem, appropriate levels of effort and behaviour and to guide pupils to become independent learners acting as an effective role model to support appropriate behaviour in others
  • Contribute to the assessment of pupils’ learning, in all national curriculum subjects and life skills teaching
  • To join in with class discussions about the assessment of learners and promote independence
  • To establish effective constructive relationships
  • Assist teaching staff in the development of learning strategies, with the provision of teaching and learning resources and in the preparation and maintenance of a safe, secure and suitable learning environment

Where you'll work

Polden Bower School
Bower Avenue
Bridgwater
TA6 4GU

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SOMERSET SKILLS & LEARNING CIC

Training course

Teaching assistant (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners.
  • Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context.
  • Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy.
  • Adapt resources to support all learners.
  • Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the TA’s role.
  • Apply teaching strategies to deliver learning activities or interventions.
  • Build relationships with learners, teachers, other professionals and stakeholders.
  • Comply with legislation, guidance, and procedures for Prevent, safeguarding and health & safety.
  • Support the well-being and mental health of learners.
  • Observe, record, and report on learners in line with organisational procedures.
  • Apply methods of formative assessment.
  • Use up to date technology safely, to support learning.
  • Encourage safe use of technology by learners.
  • Adapt teaching strategies to support all learners (for example, scaffolding, open questioning).
  • Identify and respond to pastoral and academic behaviours in learners.
  • Provide feedback to learners.
  • Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners.
  • Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context.
  • Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy.
  • Adapt resources to support all learners.
  • Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the TA’s role.
  • Apply teaching strategies to deliver learning activities or interventions.
  • Build relationships with learners, teachers, other professionals and stakeholders.
  • Comply with legislation, guidance, and procedures for Prevent, safeguarding and health & safety.
  • Support the well-being and mental health of learners.
  • Observe, record, and report on learners in line with organisational procedures.
  • Apply methods of formative assessment.
  • Use up to date technology safely, to support learning.
  • Encourage safe use of technology by learners.
  • Adapt teaching strategies to support all learners (for example, scaffolding, open questioning).
  • Identify and respond to pastoral and academic behaviours in learners.
  • Provide feedback to learners.

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4 (or Level 2 equivalent))

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths (grade 4 (or Level 2 equivalent))

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

About this employer

Polden Bower, is a 160-place special school and has the specialist resources needed to meet the needs of our students. state-of-the-art facilities for all the children and young people, this includes a warm water pool for physiotherapy; a sports hall; a sensory room; and fully accessible classrooms with the latest teaching technology. This is a very exciting time to be joining a growing Federation. We are working in partnership with Willow Vale School which is the PRU within Bridgwater.

https://www.poldenbower.org.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Potential of a permanent role for the right person.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOMERSET SKILLS & LEARNING CIC

ssl

enquiries@sslcic.co.uk

0330 332 7997

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058870.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 1 November 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.