About This Role

“Staff enjoy being part of the Peterhouse School team and are supportive of the children and each other.”  

(Wellbeing Award for Schools, 2025)

Do you have a passion for supporting autistic children and young people, and helping them to grow into successful adults? 

Teaching Assistant Apprentice

Peterhouse School, Southport

35 hours per week, term time only

£12.70/hr for 6 months, then £14.86/hr

The apprenticeship will take up to 18 months to complete

To commence the role from February 2027

We are looking for enthusiastic and caring individuals who are keen to learn and develop skills as a SEND Teaching Assistant.

In this role you will work with all classes across the school, supporting children and young people aged 5 to 19 in activities that meet their individual needs, in order to help them become successful adults with Autism.  You will be supported to learn about different approaches, strategies and ways to overcome barriers to learning.

You should be willing to reflect and respond to feedback. You will also share our school values of Kindness, Integrity and Team First.

The apprenticeship will be supported by BeReady and will lead to a Lvl 3 SEND Teaching Assistant Qualification.

Peterhouse values diversity and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must:

• Have a minimum of one year’s full-time equivalent experience as a Teaching Assistant (TA), Learning Support Assistant (LSA), or in a comparable role
• Have classroom responsibilities and practical classroom experience
• Have resided in England for the past three years and hold the right to work in the UK
• Be employed for a minimum of 16 hours per week and spend at least 50% of working hours in England throughout the apprenticeship
• Not be enrolled on any other government-funded programme
• Hold prior qualifications that will be reviewed and may affect programme eligibility

Further information

“Peterhouse School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check with barred list information, the cost of which will be met by Autism Initiatives.”

The closing date for completed applications is 15th November

Interviews will be held during w/c 7th December

How to Apply

If you are interested in the above position and would like further information we would be delighted to hear from you. To get in contact for further questions please email admin@aipeterhouse.org

*Please note, apprentices are not guaranteed a job offer after their apprenticeship ends.

We are committed to equal opportunities in employment and service delivery.

Registered Charity No. 702632

Benefits of working with us

​In addition to competitive pay rates, a contributory pension, and generous holiday entitlements, you’ll have access to a range of additional benefits designed to recognise and reward the exceptional support our staff provide.

Some benefits are available immediately, while others are awarded over time to recognise loyalty, dedication, and long service. Please note that benefits may vary by role, location, and length of service. Full details of your benefits package will be available once you join.

Below is an overview of some of the benefits you may be eligible for:

• Monthly staff cash prize draw
• Your birthday off work every year
• Medicash health scheme (including reimbursement for medical costs, gym discounts, and more)
• Employee Assistance Programme – free expert support on childcare, probate, money management, and work–life balance
• Additional paid holidays after 1, 2, and 3 years of service
• Extra paid holidays for milestone service years
• Financial wellbeing programme offering flexible access to pay
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Career break scheme

Wagestream financial planning and support app – access earnings before payday, set up savings, and manage your finances

Before you start

Before starting your application, it is recommended that you prepare the following information:

• Your qualification and education history, including any professional memberships
• Details of your current employment and full previous employment history
• Contact details for two referees (the first must be your current employer). Please note that referees will only be contacted after an offer of employment has been accepted and with your permission

You are strongly encouraged to read all supporting documents available in the Document Section, including the Job Description and Person Specification. These resources will help you identify the key skills and experience required for the role.

When completing your application, it is essential that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria. Use your own words to describe your skills, knowledge, and experience, as applications that do not evidence this may not be shortlisted.

While AI tools can be helpful for generating ideas, your application should reflect your own thinking, experience, and values. We are interested in understanding your personal contributions and achievements. Applications that appear to rely heavily on AI-generated content may not be progressed.