Apprentice Teaching Assistant

Woodlands Primary School has an exciting opportunity for an ambitious, talented and caring candidate to join our team as an apprentice teaching assistant. This role will be based in Reception. This role is to work as part of a team of teaching assistants and alongside class teachers to assist with the teaching and support of children in order to provide high quality provision.

Some of the children with whom you would be working could have specific needs. These may include autism, ADHD, learning and speech difficulties and/or social, emotional and behavioural needs. You will be required to understand and support children facing these barriers, alongside working more broadly with a wide range of children.

Working week Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm with a 30 minute unpaid break each day. Term time only. Total hours per week: 37. The training you will be getting:
You will be working towards your Level 3 Teaching Assistant Qualification. (All learning is delivered online/remote).

• Flexible
• Honest and reliable
• Calm under pressure
• Patient
• Empathetic with young people
• Team player
• High personal and professional standards

Actual pro rata salary £12,528 (Fixed term contract Woodlands Primary School Salary FTE £14,566)

Contract term: 37 hours per week, 39 weeks per year, 18 months

Start date:

As soon as possible

Closing date:
Midnight Sunday 15 March 2026

• Mercia Learning Trust is a successful partnership of four primary and three secondary schools located in the south‑west of Sheffield. Established in 2012, with one secondary school, our trust has grown to serve over 5000 pupils, with 650 staff.
• Why do we exist? To empower everyone in our communities, especially the most disadvantaged, to succeed.
• How do we behave? We are kind – showing care and supporting each other. We have integrity – doing the right thing and always putting children first. We work with diligence – overcoming obstacles and having no excuses.
• What do we do? We run schools that focus on academic excellence, cultural capital and the development of character.
• How will we succeed? A culture of excellence – high standards shaped by clarity, not control. Academic focus – empowering all children through an exceptional curriculum. Purposeful collaboration – relationships built on trust, reducing sub‑optimisation and driving collective success.

Woodlands Primary School is a 2-form entry primary and nursery for children aged 2-11 in a vibrant South Sheffield community. This popular and over‑subscribed school has around 500 pupils. In February 2022, Ofsted graded our school as Strongly Good.