Teaching Assistant
Job description
Original text imported from Reed
Teaching Assistant - Primary Schools
Are you a psychology graduate eager to put theory into practice and gain hands-on experience working with children?
This is your chance to make a real difference while developing valuable skills for your future career!
About the Role:
As a Teaching Assistant, you'll work alongside experienced teachers to support children's learning and wellbeing in the classroom. You'll help create a positive, nurturing environment where every child can thrive - academically, socially, and emotionally.
What You'll Do:
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Support pupils individually and in small groups
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Assist with classroom activities and behaviour management
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Help children develop confidence, communication, and emotional regulation
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Work closely with teachers and specialists to support diverse learning needs
Why It's Perfect for Psychology Graduates:
Gain real-world experience with child development and behaviour
Build skills in communication, empathy, and observation
Enhance your CV for educational, clinical, or research roles
Be part of a supportive school community where your contribution matters
What We're Looking For:
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A passion for helping children reach their potential
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Interest in education, psychology, or child development
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Reliable, positive, and proactive attitude
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Availability during school hours (term-time)
Location: Various primary schools across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Contract: Part-time / Term-time only
Start Date: ASAP
Please call Lynne at Tradewind if interested on or email
Key skills
AI-extracted from the job advert
Application advice
5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.
⭐ Open your Personal Statement with your psychology degree and a direct link to child development, as the advert explicitly targets psychology graduates seeking hands-on classroom experience.
📊 Quantify any prior experience with children: e.g. 'Volunteered 120 hours supporting KS1 pupils at a Nottingham primary school, assisting 3 teachers across mixed-ability groups'.
🎯 Highlight any modules or dissertation topics from your psychology degree that relate to child development, behaviour, or emotional wellbeing — these directly map to the role's core duties.
🌐 Include any safeguarding training or DBS certificate prominently, as schools require this and it signals immediate readiness to start.
🤝 Mention experience of working in team environments alongside professionals (e.g. teachers, specialists, or clinicians) to reflect the collaborative nature of the TA role described.
Suggested CV bullets
3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.
Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:
- •Supported a class of 28 KS1 pupils during a 10-week university placement, delivering one-to-one literacy interventions that contributed to a measurable improvement in reading confidence for 6 targeted children.
- •Applied behaviour management techniques drawn from a psychology degree to assist a teacher in de-escalating 3 recurring classroom incidents per week, reducing disruption time by approximately 40%.
- •Facilitated small-group emotional regulation sessions for 5 pupils with identified SEN needs, using structured activities aligned with the school's wellbeing framework across an 8-week term.
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Letter preview — tailored to Tradewind Recruitment
Dear Hiring Manager,
Tradewind Recruitment's Teaching Assistant vacancy across Nottingham's primary schools is precisely where I want to apply my psychology degree. Having studied child development and behaviour, I am ready to translate that academic grounding into direct classroom support — assisting teachers with behaviour management, small group interventions, and emotional regulation strategies that help every pupil thrive.
My background in psychology has equipped me with strong observation skills and an evidence-based understanding of how children learn at different developmental stages. I have experience working in team environments and adapting my communication style to suit diverse needs, which I understand is central to the TA role you have described.
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Interview questions
10 questions generated from this advert.
Technical
- ›How would you support a pupil who is struggling to regulate their emotions during a classroom activity?
- ›What strategies from your psychology studies would you apply to help a child with low confidence engage in group work?
- ›How would you adapt your communication style when supporting a child with SEN compared to a neurotypical child?
- ›Describe how you would assist a teacher in managing disruptive behaviour without escalating the situation.
- ›What do you understand by the term 'inclusive education', and how would you put it into practice as a Teaching Assistant?
Behavioural
- ›Tell me about a time you supported someone who was struggling — what did you do and what was the outcome?
- ›Describe a situation where you had to remain calm and patient under pressure. How did you handle it?
- ›Give an example of when you worked as part of a team to achieve a shared goal. What was your contribution?
- ›Tell me about a time you had to adapt your approach quickly because something wasn't working. What did you change?
- ›Describe a situation where you noticed someone needed help before they asked for it. What did you do?
STAR answer examples
Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.
Tell me about a time you supported someone who was struggling — what did you do and what was the outcome?
Describe a situation where you had to remain calm and patient under pressure. How did you handle it?