Job Introduction

We are looking for a bright, caring and positive individual who enjoys working with children and who will relish the opportunity to help with the pastoral and academic development of our able pupils. The successful candidate will be part of a friendly team responsible for one Year 3 and two Year 4 classes, and will enjoy being involved in all aspects of busy school life. The Teaching Assistant will help teachers with lesson preparation and provide extra support for our pupils, both individually and within small groups. Outside of lessons, the Teaching Assistant will supervise pupils at break and lunch times and on educational visits. They will also fulfil a range of administrative tasks, such as creating displays and preparing inspiring, fun resources.  Westminster Under School is a supportive and inspiring working environment, with exceptionally motivated pupils and teachers.  

This is an exciting time to join the Under School, as we look forward to expansion to become a co-educational school for children aged four to 13 from September 2026. A key part of this role over the next year will therefore be to support the transition to welcoming girls, and help Junior Teachers positively contribute to the co-educational environment. The role may also subsequently involve supporting younger children and working across the 4-8 age range.  

Role Responsibility

Supporting the learning of pupils: 

• Support the learning of pupils through assisting Junior teachers in the classroom.
• Assist with the preparation of materials for learning, including setting up classroom equipment.  
• Help to keep the classroom in good order.  
• Help pupils who need extra support to complete tasks individually and in groups.  
• Basic marking of pupils’ work. 

Supporting the Class Teachers: 

• Assist with classroom administration tasks e.g. labelling books, trays, ordering new supplies etc.  
• Liaise regularly with class teachers.  
• Assist with the preparation and display of pupils’ work.  
• Help staff and pupils on school trips and outings, drama productions and at school events, some of which may occasionally be in the evenings. 
• Support Junior pupils more generally, including with organisation, independence and any appropriate pastoral matters. 
• Any other tasks as may be reasonably required by the Head of Juniors.  

Playground Supervision: 

• Supervise pupils according to school policies and procedures, including playground and lunchtime supervision and during school break times.  
• Liaise with the Day Matron and First Aiders to support any first aid and minor medical needs as necessary.  

Holidays 

This is a term-time only post (including INSET days) and holidays are, therefore, taken in the School’s main holidays. 

The Ideal Candidate

Please refer to the below (attached) person specification.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Westminster Under School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Package Description

Required for: September 2025

Location: Vincent Square - Westminster Under School 

Contract: full-time (term-time only), permanent 

Hours of work: 8.00am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (term-time only)

Salary: £24,275 per annum pro rata equating to £32,414.26 per annum FTE. This is term-time only role. 

Benefits of working at Westminster Under School include: 

•  free school lunches when onsite
•  private medical insurance (opt-in) 
•  free access to the School’s leisure facilities, including a fitness gym (restricted hours) 
•  access the School’s Cycle to Work Scheme and season ticket loans following completion of our standard probation period. 

The deadline for applications is 09:00 on Friday 25th April 2025. Interviews will follow shortly after the closing date.

About the School

Working at Westminster Under School

Westminster Under School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of 292 pupils, 43 teaching staff and 50 support staff.

Westminster Under School is a friendly and welcoming place to work. There is a real sense of community here and staff members quickly become part of the rhythm of life, both inside and outside the classroom. Social events are regular and varied, with plenty of opportunity to socialise outside working hours. Support staff as much as teaching staff are encouraged to embrace the School’s day-to-day activities, whether that be attending a concert or a sports fixture.

At Westminster we will always select the best candidate for every position. We do know, however, that we can only truly choose the best person on every occasion if a broad and diverse pool of candidates see the job advertised and are encouraged to apply.

As such, we continue to work on how our job roles are encountered, and particularly welcome applications from groups who have traditionally been underrepresented here.

Westminster Under School is for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We hope you are encouraged to apply.

The School

Westminster Under School is a happy, ambitious, nurturing and inspiring world-class preparatory education for seven to 13 year olds. Pupils who love to learn are offered a supportive, dynamic and inspirational environment to fuel their curiosity. 

Located in the heart of London, the School overlooks the beautiful school playing fields in Vincent Square and is just a few moments’ walk from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It is closely connected to Westminster School; in 1943, Westminster expanded its educational scope by forming the Under School, and the two schools share the same Governing Body and the same ethos of a liberal education. 

Westminster Under School's curriculum is broad and diverse, aiming to foster a sense of wonder and inquisitiveness in children and encourage independent thought. The teaching programme goes above and beyond the National Curriculum and teachers are not tightly bound by syllabus. Pupils are taught a wide range of subjects by expert teachers who embrace opportunities for growth and promote diverse thinking, and who encourage them to ask questions about the world around them. 

While the School's standard of our education is of the highest quality, the School’s focus is not only on academic achievement. Westminster pupils receive a full and rounded education that includes sport, the arts and many opportunities to engage in community outreach; pupils frequently take part in concerts, plays and in both internal and external competitions, and the School hosts festivals and events throughout the year. Like its older counterpart, Westminster Under School is fully committed to each pupil’s spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and wellbeing – with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies – and to prepare young people for fulfilled private and public lives.

From September 2026, Westminster Under School will have opened its brand new pre-prep for girls and boys at 4+ and girls will have joined boys in Years 3 and 7, at the 7+ and 11+ entry points. By 2030, with the introduction of girls into Year 9 at Westminster School in 2028, all year groups across the two schools, from ages four to 18, will be fully co-educational, reflecting the School’s dedication to inclusivity and excellence. 

Westminster School