Teach Portsmouth Support and
Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair 2024

Cosham Community Centre
Wednesday 20 November
10am - 11:45am | 12pm - 2pm

+ Jobs + Training + Apprenticeships + Information and advice + Taster sessions 

  • Want to support pupils in a primary or secondary school? 
  • Need to gain a qualification or build experience? 

Join us for one of two identical sessions at the Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair at Cosham Community Centre on Wednesday 20 November from 10am - 11:45am and 12pm - 2pm. Discover your future supporting children, young people and families in education.

Schools, colleges and other organisations need professionals who can support the learning of pupils. You could be in the classroom as a teaching assistant or working with a group of children on a 1:1 basis. 

The opportunities are endless at the Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair. The event is split across two identical sessions. When booking, please choose one of the sessions you would like to attend.

Features

Speak to schools and other organisations promoting vacancies

Watch short presentation about working in a school

Sign up to taster sessions to build confidence before applying

View vacancies and opportunities on the jobs board

Meet the exhibitors

City of Portsmouth College
Talk to us about: + Training

At the City of Portsmouth College, they are shaping the city's future by unlocking the potential of their learners.

They believe every student should be able to achieve their aspiration, whatever their background or abilities. The college offer a broad range of courses across four campuses, from the highest quality academic teaching to the latest vocational and technical training.

HSDC
Talk to us about: + Training + Jobs + Volunteering

HSDC has three campuses at Alton, Havant and South Downs (Waterlooville). Their aim is to be the first-choice further education college for students, staff and employers in Hampshire.

They have a host of committed staff in a variety of roles, who are helping to make this happen. HSDC offers an open and supportive culture, nurturing and harnessing the talents and ideas of both their staff and students.

Portsdown Primary School
Talk to us about: + Jobs + Information and advice + Taster sessions + Volunteering

Portsdown Primary School, in Portsmouth, is a friendly and welcoming place where every child is encouraged to do their best. They focus on respect, kindness, and creativity, helping everyone to learn and grow. Their key stage 2 team works hard to make learning fun and exciting. By joining them as a teaching assistant or volunteer, you will be part of a caring team that makes a big difference to children’s lives. Join them and be part of their school community!

Solent Academies Trust
Talk to us about: + Jobs + Volunteering + Information and advice

Solent Academies Trust is a multi-academy trust working collectively for the benefit of their community and those they support to reduce disadvantage for vulnerable learners.

They are currently comprised of five special schools, three of which are in Portsmouth.  Founded by Mary Rose Academy, which now celebrates its fourth outstanding Ofsted rating, their trust has over 17 years' experience in transforming lives of children and families through high quality specialist education for pupils aged 2 - 19.

St Paul's Catholic Primary School and Nursery
Talk to us about: + Jobs + Information and advice + Taster sessions + Volunteering

St Paul’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery was graded by Ofsted as a good school in November 2023. Located in the centre of Paulsgrove, within a close-knit community, the school’s vision is to provide an outstanding education.  This is underpinned by the school’s mission statement ‘Do Everything with Love’ which reflects the values and ethos of both the school and school community.

University of Chichester Academy Trust
Talk to us about: + Jobs

The University of Chichester Academy Trust was formed in 2012 and currently have nine schools in Portsmouth. Their mission is to create a vibrant inclusive and aspirational family of academies, transforming life chances for pupils through excellent teaching and learning.

They will be promoting a range of non-teaching vacancies and professional service roles.

The Learning Place
Talk to us about: + Training + Information and advice

The Learning Place is Portsmouth City Council's community learning service that provides quality training programmes that meet local needs. They offer a range of functional skills courses (maths and English).

The Salvation Army's Employment Plus

The Salvation Army's Employment Plus program provides comprehensive, individualised support to people who may need extra assistance in entering or re-entering the workforce. This free service includes practical guidance in areas like CV writing, job searching, employability skills, cover letter creation, and digital skills enhancement. The program also offers training opportunities and ongoing in-work support, all designed to meet each client's unique needs. By tailoring assistance, Employment Plus aims to empower individuals with the tools and confidence needed to navigate the job market successfully.

Castle View Academy

Castle View Academy is a rapidly expanding academy located in the north of Portsmouth. They are proud of the education and training they offer students and staff.

They have a track record of continuous improvement in GCSE results.  They believe in traditional values, respect, hard work, determination and resilience, instilling these values in their students who learn by example from the staff they interact with.

Their staff are happy, dedicated and hardworking individuals. They offer bespoke continuing professional development programmes for PGCEs, ECTs, Teach First, School Direct and qualified staff offered through the academy: United Learning.

Presentation schedule

Presentations begin at the start of the event. After the presentations end, attendees will be able to meet employers and training providers.

First session

10:00 AM Welcome and introduction
10:05 AM The Learning Place - Courses and confidence boosting
10:10 AM Meet the professionals - Support staff share their experiences
10:15 AM Short courses and qualifications - City of Portsmouth College and HSDC
10:20 AM Question and answer session
10:25 AM - 11:45 AM Speak to exhibitors about support and teaching assistant jobs and opportunities

Second session

12:00 PM Welcome and introduction
12:05 PM The Learning Place - Courses and confidence boosting
12:10 PM Meet the professionals - Support staff share their experiences
12:15 PM Short courses and qualifications - City of Portsmouth College and HSDC
12:20 PM Question and answer session
12:25 PM - 2:00 PM Speak to exhibitors about support and teaching assistant jobs and opportunities

New service for 2024

Thank you for your interest in Biscoes' free 10-minute consultation service

Teach Portsmouth and Biscoes are partnering on a trial to offer a free 10-minute consultation with their visa specialist. These consultations give those who sign up a chance to ask one question and receive general visa advice based on their personal circumstances.

Due to an overwhelming response, we have now closed sign-ups for these consultations. You can still attend the jobs fair using the form below but there is no longer any availability or space on the waiting list. We appreciate the strong interest in this service.

Our team remains committed to supporting the local community with immigration and visa advice. We hope to run future sessions at other recruitment events and would still encourage those looking to work in education to attend the jobs fair.

Terms and conditions apply

Teach Portsmouth is working with Biscoes to offer a free 10-minute consultation service. This gives one individual a chance to ask one question.

Once the question is answered, you will have the option to seek further legal advice from Biscoes at an additional cost to you.

Portsmouth City Council and Teach Portsmouth accept no financial liability for further legal advice sought.

Get your ticket today!

Registration for the Teach Portsmouth Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair is now open. Please select one time slot when completing the form. Both sessions are identical.

Shortly after completing the form, a confirmation email will be sent to your email address. Please use this as your ticket for the event. If you do not receive your email confirmation, please check your spam mailbox in the first instance.

If you are wanting to sign up to a free 10-minute consultation with Biscoes, you will first need to register for the event using this form. The Teach Portsmouth team will contact those who select the tick box on the form for the consultation service in the coming weeks through email.

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Top questions

What is the Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair?

The Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair features opportunities that include other support roles in education, beyond just teaching assistant vacancies. Schools and other organisations need patient and professional people to fill these types of jobs and look forward to meeting you at the event.

What is the format of the event?

Each session begins with a series of short presentations, before breaking out into a traditional recruitment fair where you can meet and talk to each exhibitor.

We would recommend arriving at the start of each session to get the most out of your experience, however, once the presentations end, you can drop in. If you are unable to make the start of the session, you can still attend the event.

What are taster sessions?

Schools and other organisations who attend the event can choose to participate in this scheme. Taster sessions are often no longer than 1.5 hours, which gives those who sign up a chance to meet staff, have a tour and learn more about their vacancies and opportunities. Those who enrol on taster sessions have gone on to become teaching assistants and volunteers in schools.

When will information on exhibitors be announced?

A list of exhibitors will be published in due course. Please check back regularly or subscribe to the Teach Portsmouth newsletter to be the first to hear about them.

Why is Teach Portsmouth partnering with Biscoes to offer visa advice?

Teach Portsmouth helps schools, academies and colleges recruit education practitioners through different events. We provide information and advice on how to get a job in education or what training you may need.

However, we are unable to provide specific advice related to visas as this will often be specific to the individual. To better support event attendees, we have partnered with Biscoes on a trial to offer free 10-minute consultations.