St Richards Catholic Primary School is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and adaptable teaching assistant to join our highly motivated team.
This is a temporary appointment to cover staff absence which is expected to be from 1st September 2026 to 18th December 2026, however it may be extended if further cover is required.
We are a medium-sized primary school situated in Chichester, West Sussex, with approximately 315 pupils on roll, and we are part of the Bosco Catholic Education Trust. St Richard’s is a diverse and multicultural school where every child is known, valued and respected as a unique member of God’s family. We have high expectations for all pupils and are committed to ensuring that every child is supported to achieve well academically, socially and spiritually. Our school was judged ‘Good’ with elements of ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted (February 2022) and ‘Good’ in our most recent Catholic School Inspection.
Our mission statement reflects the heart of our work:
“We take Jesus Christ at the centre of all that we do: To Know, To Love, To Serve.”
This mission underpins our curriculum, relationships and wider school life. We aim for pupils to leave St Richard’s knowing God and the world He created, growing in love for Jesus and for one another, and developing a strong sense of social responsibility by recognising and responding to the needs of others by serving both locally and globally. We believe that children thrive when they feel safe, happy and challenged. Safeguarding and pupil wellbeing are at the centre of our practice, and we promote positive behaviour, mutual respect and kindness so that pupils develop strong attitudes to learning and take pride in their achievements. Children are encouraged to become reflective, responsible and resilient learners who are well prepared for the next stage of their education. Our curriculum is broad, balanced and ambitious, carefully designed to build knowledge and skills progressively while nurturing curiosity and a love of learning. Teaching is underpinned by strong subject knowledge and informed practice, ensuring that learning is engaging, purposeful and inclusive. Our dedicated staff recognise each child’s God-given talents and individual needs, and classrooms are purposeful, creative environments where pupils are actively involved in their learning. We further enrich the curriculum through specialist teaching in Spanish, visiting speakers, hands-on workshops, educational visits and themed learning days. These experiences support pupils’ personal development, helping them to develop confidence, cultural awareness and aspirations for the future.
The main responsibilities are as follows:
- Provide support for pupils with SEND, including communication, sensory and physical needs
- Support pupils with medical needs, including implementing care plans where required
- Support the class teacher in delivering high-quality teaching and learning
- Work with individuals and small groups of pupils to support learning and progress
- Adapt learning activities to meet the needs of all pupils
- Support pupils’ social, emotional and behavioural development
- Assist with assessment, recording and reporting on pupil progress
- Contribute to planning and delivering interventions
- Prepare classroom resources and displays
- Supervise pupils during lunchtimes, ensuring their safety and wellbeing
- Support pupils with eating, hygiene and independence as needed
- Promote positive behaviour and inclusion at all times
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- High expectations of pupils’ achievement, behaviour and wellbeing
- Strong communication skills to work effectively with pupils, staff and parents
- A commitment to promoting inclusive practice and removing barriers to learning
- The ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- An understanding of how children learn and develop
- Professionalism, reliability and integrity
- A commitment to ongoing professional development
If you would like to find out more about St Richard’s Catholic Primary School, you are very welcome to visit us. Please contact the school office to arrange this.
Safeguarding Statement:
St Richards Catholic Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.