About the School
KS2 Teaching Assistant (Pastoral Support & Interventions)
Founded in 1945 by Edna Andrews as a “happy and nurturing place”, Berkhampstead has evolved significantly over the past eighty years. Yet its founding principles remain at the heart of school life. Happiness and nurture are central to the School’s ethos and success, and children truly enjoy their time here. Berkhampstead offers a close-knit community, small enough for staff to know every child’s strengths, needs and individuality, yet large enough to provide a wealth of opportunity.
A Berkhampstead education is broad, balanced and child-centred. Independent thinking and individuality are actively encouraged, with pupils engaged, involved and listened to. Children are given the confidence to flourish both in and beyond the classroom, developing into confident, curious and compassionate individuals. Berkhampstead is a caring and safe environment, providing children with the very best start to their education. More than that, the ‘Berky family’ is a lively and supportive hub of friendship, creativity and excitement, where children are eager to return day after day.
The School’s rich and varied curriculum combines academic rigour with strong provision in music, the arts and sport. Small class sizes and happy, motivated pupils contribute to consistently impressive results. Prep pupils (aged 7–11) benefit from excellent specialist facilities, including a purpose-built science laboratory, music room, art room and cookery space. Specialist teachers deliver all subjects, bringing passion and expertise that inspire and enthuse learners. From the Prep years, pupils move between classrooms during the day, helping them to develop essential organisational skills and ensuring a smooth transition to secondary education.
The School motto, Perseverantia Vincit – perseverance conquers – underpins daily life at Berkhampstead. Pupils are encouraged to take risks, learn from mistakes and persist in the face of challenge. The house system fosters teamwork, loyalty and healthy competition, while the Berkhampstead School Platinum Award (modelled on the Duke of Edinburgh Award) develops resilience, collaboration and emotional intelligence in Upper Prep pupils. The School’s strong ‘can-do’ attitude remains a defining feature.
Sport plays a vital role in School life. From Year 3, all pupils take part in competitive fixtures. Cricket is played at the picturesque and historic Victoria Cricket Ground, home of Cheltenham Cricket Club, while the on-site all-weather Multi-Use Games Area provides outstanding facilities for PE and games, including tennis, netball, hockey, lacrosse and basketball.
Berkhampstead also offers exceptional early years provision.
The first Berkhampstead Day Nursery opened in Pittville Circus, Cheltenham, in 2011 and now cares for over 120 children each week, with more than 70 children having successfully progressed to the School over the past nine years. In 2025, a second Day Nursery opened in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, and has already proved hugely successful.
Benefits
- Joining an Independent Day School with a forward thinking and fully supportive team of staff in a friendly and caring environment
- Small class sizes
- Good resources
- One paid “well-being day” per academic year, which can be booked off during term-time.
- After school activities such as Yoga.
- Lunches
- Staff fee remission
Supporting documents
How to apply - the process
Please complete the School Application Form in full (CVs cannot be accepted). The application form should be submitted with a covering letter to either of the following:
By Email:
hr@berkhampsteadschool.co.uk
By Post (Royal Mail):
Mrs Michelle Bareham
Head of School
Berkhampstead School
Pittville Circus Road
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 2QA
Recruitment and Safeguarding Information
References will be required for all shortlisted candidates. Any relevant matters arising from references may be explored further at interview or at an appropriate stage during the recruitment process.
While the interview will form the primary part of the selection process, shortlisted candidates will be advised in advance if any additional selection methods are to be used. These may include skills-based assessments. All selection activities will be designed to assess candidates against the job description and person specification.
Candidates with a disability or any other special requirement are encouraged to inform the School of any reasonable adjustments they may require to fully participate in the recruitment process.
Berkhamsted School is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
In line with safer recruitment practices, the School may conduct online searches of publicly available information for shortlisted candidates. These searches are intended to identify any issues that may need to be discussed at interview and may include checks of social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
