Supporting your Portsmouth
school and college

Options for supporting children and young people

Why support children and young people in Portsmouth?

Working in a Portsmouth school or college is a rewarding, yet challenging experience, where you will draw upon different skills and abilities to help children and young people reach their full potential.

There are different ways to support pupils in Portsmouth. You could be a teaching assistant working with pupils in small groups or on a 1:1 basis. Alternatively, you could be assisting parents/carers in the school office as an administrator.

Step-by-step guide to working in a school

Follow our guide on how to get a job in a school which will help when making an application.

Step 1

Is your CV up to date?

Most schools will want you to complete an application online without the need for a CV. However, it is still helpful to have an up to date CV as it will help you list your experience and qualifications.

Step 2

Do you have the right qualifications?

If you are supporting pupils in the classroom, schools will want you to demonstrate your qualifications. Schools prefer applicants to have a GCSE C/4 in maths and English. There are plenty of opportunities to gain these qualifications with adult education providers, City of Portsmouth College, HSDC and The Learning Place.

Step 3

Do you have school experience?

Volunteering at a school is a good way to build experience which looks great on your application. It's also a useful way to see how a classroom works and interact with other support staff.

Giving your time to help a school can also help you decide whether working in education is for you. You might even discover you prefer working with a different age group. Schools will require you to complete a basic DBS for safeguarding purposes.

Step 4

How do you progress in the role?

While you might still be considering your options or even applying for a specific job, it is worth thinking about career progression. If you choose to become a teaching assistant, the role opens up a rewarding career path in education.

You can progress to become a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA), taking on more classroom responsibilities. You could even specialise in a specific area or move into teaching. The options are truly endless.

Step 5

How do I apply for a job in a school?

If you are ready to apply for a job in a school, visit the Portsmouth City Council jobs portal. Most schools promote their vacancies on the website but not all will be listed here. Visit their websites or extend your search to CV Library, Indeed and Reed.

Not quite ready to apply?

We appreciate you might be at the start of your search to find the perfect support job.

To help you decide, we've put together more information about becoming a teaching assistant. This is a popular route for people wanting to support pupils in primary, secondary and specialist schools.

Become a teaching assistant

Teaching assistants support children and young people in the classroom, often alongside a teacher. You might help those with special educational needs and disabilities or work with a small group.  As you progress in your career, the role can evolve, offering opportunities for specialisation, such as working as a one-on-one or advancing to become a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA).

Becoming a teaching assistant is a rewarding experience as you play your part in shaping future generations. Not only will you be making a difference, but you'll also enjoy the benefits of the role.

  • Flexible working patterns including school holidays - great for working parents/carers.
  • Training opportunities - specialise in your role as a 1:1 support or advance as a higher level teaching assistant.
  • A job like no other - see the impact you have on children and young people on a daily basis.

This list is far from exhaustive as many schools offer benefits that are unique to them.

Training courses to become a teaching assistant

If you want to gain a qualification to support children and young people, HSDC and the City of Portsmouth College offer level two and level three courses. While a formal qualification isn't always necessary to get a support job in a school or college, it will help you build the knowledge, expertise and skills to succeed in your role.

Training courses available

Level 2 Certificate in supporting teaching and learning in schools
View course
Level 3 Certificate in supporting teaching and learning in schools
View course

Type of study:

Part time (Evenings)

Course requirements:

Maths/English GCSE (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent? Yes (Qualification/s can be gained during the course)

School placement?

Yes

Training courses available

Level 2 Certificate in supporting teaching and learning in schools for adults
View course
Level 3 Diploma in supporting teaching and learning in schools for adults
View course

Type of study:

Part time (Daytime)

Course requirements:

Maths/English GCSE (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent? Yes for level 3. (Qualification/s can be gained during the course)

School placement?

Yes

Earn while you learn with an apprenticeship

If you want to earn while you learn, apprenticeships are a great option to consider. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. The website provides guidance on what schools offer apprenticeships near you.

Meet our support superstars

Meet Helen, Debbie and Julie who work in schools across the city as teaching assistants. They share their story with us in the hopes of inspiring others to join the profession.

Meet Helen

Teaching assistant apprentice

Helen Wortsmann attended a Teach Portsmouth event and signed up to a taster session at a local school. She has now started a teaching assistant apprenticeship with Thinking Schools Academy Trust.

Before starting the apprenticeship, she volunteered as a parent reader at Moorings Way Infant School. She attended an information event last year, where she began her journey into the profession. Helen said:

"I was looking for a new job that fit my family life, as my son had just started school. When I
attended the event, I spoke to The Learning Place and enrolled on their free courses that are
designed to boost your CV. When an apprenticeship became available, I applied straight
away."

Meet Debbie and Julie

Teaching assistants

Deborah Mundy and Julie Terry are both teaching assistants at Meon Infant School with a combined experience of over 40 years. Both started their journeys at the school over two decades ago and have since played integral roles in supporting children's education.

They are both teaching assistants but Debbie is also a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) and runs the school's cookery club, while Julie is also a lunchtime supervisor and an early years specialist. Their passion for nurturing children's development has been the driving force behind their long-standing commitment. They have recently been put forward for a long service award at Teach Portsmouth's upcoming celebration event. They said:

"This award means a lot to us and it will be displayed in the reception of Meon Infants school as an accolade to all learning assistant staff at the school."

Upcoming information events

If you want to become a teaching assistant in Portsmouth, attend one of our information events to learn more about joining the profession. Becoming a teaching assistant is a rewarding job that offers opportunities to progress in education or develop in a support role. At our information events, you can…

  • Meet schools and colleges who have teaching assistant vacancies
  • Speak to training providers about short courses and qualifications
  • Sign up to taster sessions at participating schools

Be the first to hear about upcoming events

Subscribe to the Teach Portsmouth e-newsletter for news and information.

Top questions

What are the benefits of being a teaching assistant?
Working as a teaching assistant can offer a range of benefits. It offers a fulfilling and rewarding career with opportunities for personal growth and development. You don't have to work school holidays which is great if you have school aged children. There is career progression with schools encouraging staff to apply/train for more advanced or specialist roles.
What qualities are important for a teaching assistant?
It is important to be a strong communicator as you will often be working alongside other support staff. You will also need to be patient, have empathy and good organisational skills.
How does an overseas candidate check their qualifications are comparable to UK standards?
Overseas applicants should have their qualifications compared to UK standards through a reputable credential evaluation service. These services specialise in assessing foreign qualifications and determining their equivalence or comparability to UK qualifications. Organisations like UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) are widely recognised for this purpose.

Recommended Reads...