Job Description

Teaching Assistant (XS 10.3), 30 hours per week, term time only (38 weeks), Grade 5 SCP 5 25,583 pro-rata, per annum, Required - As soon as possible

At Dorchester Middle School we aim to provide a personalised curriculum and a quality education designed to meet each young person's needs in an environment that is warm, secure and nurturing. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a team in our inclusive community school. Please specify which post you are applying to.

We are looking for someone with previous experience of supporting pupils with SEND, in particular those with SEMH need, to work alongside teachers; promote a love of learning for our pupils and to enable them to make progress.

The successful applicant will:
Experience with working with children with SEMH and who are neurodivergent. Work as part of a strong team with other teaching assistants and teaching staff. Have the patience and the resourcefulness to support and inspire our pupils with their learning, helping to unlock their potential. Develop personal, social and emotional needs of pupils. Establish positive relationships with pupils, staff and parents. Have excellent communication skills.
Dorchester Middle School is a member of the Wessex Multi-Academy Trust of local First, Middle and Upper schools who share resources, planning and expertisein order to enhance continuity across all stages of the children's' education.

We are located in the beautiful county town of Dorchester. We can offer excellent working conditions, a supportive environment and opportunity for further development both within the school and across the Wessex MAT. Dorchester Middle School values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.



Applications can be made or downloaded via: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/jobs-and-careers. Individual CVs will not be accepted. You can find further details about the school, its facilities and these positions at the school website: https://www.dorchestermid.dorset.sch.uk/.
For more information, please contact Miss Kelly Shutts, Phone: 01305 265651 or email: kshutts@dmsschool.co.uk

Closing Date: 16th October 2025 - Interview Date: TBC


Dorchester Middle School values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share.

The salary quoted is the annual salary for the position at the time of advert and this will be paid in 12 equal monthly instalments. In the first year of service this salary may need to be adjusted to ensure you are paid accurately to reflect your holiday entitlement. A similar adjustment may be made at the point your employment ends to ensure that you are paid accurately for the number of days worked in any academic year.

The pro rata salary shown is based on the number of hours and weeks worked and paid annual leave entitlement for an employee under 5 years' service.

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.



This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ's guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.



Keeping Children Safe in Education



Dorchester Middle School will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.