Teaching Assistant & MDSA

Role overview

This part-time, fixed-term opportunity combines two linked positions at Alderbury and West Grimstead Church of England Primary School: a Teaching Assistant role and a Midday Supervisory Assistant (MDSA) role. The post is based at the school in Firs Road, Alderbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 3BD, with the fixed term running until 31 August 2027.

The school is looking for an enthusiastic, committed person who can bring creativity, initiative, and a strong enthusiasm for supporting early learning. The successful candidate will help create a caring, high-quality learning environment where every child is encouraged to achieve their potential.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will support the youngest pupils to build confidence, curiosity, and a lasting enjoyment of learning. In the MDSA element of the job, you will help keep children safe, happy, and positively engaged during lunch and playtimes.

Employment details

Contract type: fixed term
Work pattern: part-time
Teaching Assistant hours: Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 3:15pm
MDSA hours: Monday to Friday, 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 5 July 2026
Interview date: Wednesday 8 July 2026
Start date: September 2026
Vacancy count: 1

Teaching Assistant pay: Grade D, points 4-6, £25,185 to £25,989 per annum FTE; actual salary £14,546 to £15,011 per annum pro rata (DOE).
MDSA pay: Grade B3, £24,796 per annum FTE; actual salary £2,808 per annum pro rata (DOE).

The two roles are tied together as one overall employment package. If the employee resigns from one part of the role, the other part must also be resigned from at the same time.

School context

Alderbury and West Grimstead Church of England Primary School is described as a happy, thriving and successful community. The school values teamwork between staff, governors, and the wider community, and works closely with local churches. Children are supported through a varied and inspiring curriculum designed to build curiosity and a love of learning.

Application notes

Applications must be submitted through the organisation's recruitment system; CVs will not be accepted. The school welcomes visits from prospective applicants. The vacancy may be closed early if enough suitable applications are received.

Candidates are asked to include a personal statement and answer the trust values question in the application: which Pickwick Academy Trust value resonates most with you and why? The values listed are Aspiration, Collaboration, Inclusion, Enjoyment, and Nurturing Relationships.

Trust values and development

Pickwick Academy Trust presents itself as a community of 21 schools with shared expertise, strong professional development, mentoring, and progression opportunities. It highlights an inclusive working culture, employee wellbeing, and support for staff development. The trust emphasises aspiration, collaboration, inclusion, enjoyment, and nurturing relationships as the behaviours it looks for in colleagues.

Benefits

Staff benefits mentioned include an excellent pension scheme, flexible working and family-friendly policies, wellbeing support and counselling, strong central team support, staff input into key HR policies, free eye tests and glasses where needed for the role, an annual flu jab, retail discounts and savings including Wiltshire Rewards and Blue Light Card, an emergency salary advance scheme, cycle to work support, and ongoing career and professional development.

Safeguarding and recruitment checks

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, so all criminal convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands must be declared, including spent matters. An enhanced DBS check will be completed before employment begins.

References may be taken at shortlist stage and used during interview. If an applicant has worked with children before, one referee must come from that role, even if it is not the current or most recent job. Internal applicants and those already employed by the trust are expected to provide the correct line management references based on their current circumstances. Employment gaps must be explained in the application form.

For shortlisted candidates, an online search will be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 and the trust's safer recruitment process. Candidates may be asked to clarify information found online.

Additional information

The trust invites applicants from all backgrounds and says it will consider reasonable adjustments for disabled, neurodivergent, or otherwise supported applicants. It also encourages applications from underrepresented groups. Applicants who need support with the process can contact the HR team.

Related documents listed for the role include the Teaching Assistant job description, the MDSA job description, the Teaching Assistant person specification, the MDSA person specification, and a reference requirements document.