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Make a difference – become a Parent Governor

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As from September this year we will have a vacancy for a Parent Governor! 

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Why become a Parent Governor?
Governors have an important part to play in helping schools to run effectively.  As a Parent Governor, you will be well placed to understand parents’ views and have first-hand knowledge of how the school is run. You will have the opportunity to work toward improving the school experience, not only for your own child, but for children in years to come.
This voluntary role can be challenging yet extremely rewarding and is a great way to build on your personal and professional skills. You will be supported in the role through a programme of training and mentoring allowing you to use your knowledge and experience to the full extent.

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To complement our current committee, we are seeking someone who may have skills in aspects of financial and budgetary management, experience of procurement/purchasing and ideally, knowledge of premises maintenance and facilities management.

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If you wish to know more about this exciting opportunity, and can offer what we are looking for please feel free to contact the Chair of Governors, Tim Ward on 07979 235212, and submit any expression of interest to  chair@st-marks.cumbria.sch.uk 

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In the event that several people wish to apply, the standard process is that candidates will be asked to submit a short pen picture of why they wish to be considered and these will be shared with parents at the school who will vote.

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Can you spare some time to listen to children read? Have you any skills you could offer to the school? We would love to hear from you. Please complete the volunteer application form and send it to office@st-marks.cumbria.sch.uk

Senior Teaching Assistant

St Mark's Church of England Primary School

Salary: Grade 7 Fte £28,598-£29,540
Hours: 0.5Fte annual pro rata: £14,299 – £14,770 (38 weeks per year)
Contract: Fixed term until July 2027 initially while a permanent post is evaluated.
Start Date: ASAP

Help Every Child Flourish

St Mark's CE Primary School is looking to appoint an enthusiastic, caring and committed Senior Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner who is passionate about inclusion and ensuring every child can thrive. Working alongside teachers and the SENDCo, you will support high-quality teaching and learning, help deliver targeted interventions, and enable pupils to achieve their full potential academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting pupils with a wide range of needs, promoting independence, confidence and wellbeing, and helping to create an environment where all children feel valued, included and able to flourish.

We Are Looking for Someone Who:

• Holds a Level 3 qualification in Supporting Teaching and Learning (or equivalent).

• Has experience of working with children in a primary school setting.

• Has a strong understanding of inclusive practice and SEND.

• Can deliver interventions and adapt support to meet individual needs.

• Promotes children's independence, confidence and positive attitudes to learning.

• Builds positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.

• Has excellent communication and organisational skills.

• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

• Will actively support the Christian vision and values of our school.

We Would Particularly Welcome Applications From Candidates With:

• Experience of supporting pupils with SEND.

• Experience of delivering targeted interventions.

• Knowledge, training or experience in British Sign Language (BSL), Makaton or other communication approaches.

• Experience of supporting children with communication and interaction needs.

We Can Offer:

• Wonderful children who are eager to learn.

• A warm, welcoming and supportive team.

• A strong commitment to inclusion and pupil wellbeing.

• High-quality professional development opportunities.

• The opportunity to make a real difference to children's lives every day.

• A school community rooted in Christian values where every child is encouraged to flourish.

How to Apply

For further information and an application pack, please see the school website or contact the school office:

Email: office@st-marks.cumbria.sch.uk
Telephone: 015395 60719

Closing Date: 20th September 2026
Interview Date: 30th September

Safeguarding

St Mark's CE Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be required to obtain satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a criminal record and other sanctions self-disclosure form prior to interview. As part of our due diligence checks, the school reserves the right to undertake an online search of shortlisted candidates. This will only include information that is publicly available online.

It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

 Job description and person specification

Recruitment of ex offenders policy and procedures

Workforce Privacy notice

Westmorland and Furness application form

Early Years Lead Practitioner (HLTA) to work in Nursery

Grade 8  - SCP 19 £32,061 FTE pro-rata Term Time Only -  38 weeks 

·         Permanent

·         Five days per week

·         8:00am-3:45pm

·         36.25 per week

£16.61 per hour
Contract: Permanent
Start Date: 4th January 2027

Do you have a passion to work with young children in creating an environment that will allow them to flourish and develop? 

We need an experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant, a ‘friendly, team player with high expectations’ to join our St Mark’s School family.

St Mark’s C of E Primary School is a small, family orientated village school in Kendal. We work in partnership with parents to develop a school where no one fails but rather, where every child leaves us having identified a talent, a skill, an intelligence through which they can become whatever they want to be. We have a strong tradition of celebrating achievement and encouraging children’s self-esteem and we have excellent teachers, teaching assistants and office staff who all work closely together. Our Governing Body plays an active role in the development and success of the school and we have a thriving Parent Teacher Association (PTA) whose members work extremely hard to raise money and to provide a whole range of social events for parents and children.

We Are Looking for Someone Who:

• Is passionate about providing exceptional early years education and care for our youngest learners.

• Has a warm, nurturing and child-centred approach, creating an environment where every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive.

• Has a strong understanding of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), particularly for children aged 2-3 years.

• Can lead and inspire a small team, providing clear direction, support and encouragement to ensure consistently high-quality provision.

• Is highly organised and able to plan, deliver and evaluate engaging learning experiences that promote curiosity, independence and a love of learning.

• Has excellent communication skills and can build strong partnerships with children, families, colleagues and external professionals.

• Is committed to inclusive practice and ensuring that all children, regardless of need or background, achieve their full potential.

• Demonstrates high expectations for children's learning, development and wellbeing.

• Has a thorough understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and is committed to promoting the welfare of children at all times.

• Is reflective, enthusiastic and committed to their own professional development and contributing positively to the wider life of the school.

We Particularly Welcome Applications From Candidates With:

• HLTA status and a Level 3 Early Years qualification or higher.

• Significant experience working with children aged 2-5 years within an early years setting.

• Proven experience of leading, supervising, mentoring or developing staff within a nursery or school environment.

• Experience of planning and delivering high-quality provision specifically for children aged 2-3 years.

• A strong track record of supporting children's language, communication, personal, social and emotional development.

• Experience of monitoring children's progress and maintaining accurate assessment and learning records.

• Knowledge and experience of supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

• Experience of working collaboratively with families, external agencies and multi-disciplinary teams to secure the best outcomes for children.

• Experience of contributing to SEND identification, intervention planning and review processes.

• The Level 3 Early Years SENCO Award, or a willingness to undertake further training in this area.

• A commitment to helping shape and develop an outstanding nursery provision that reflects the values and ambitions of St Mark's School.

St Mark’s CofE Primary School is committed to the principles of safer recruitment, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check and excellent professional references.

We welcome visits to school. Please contact the school office to book your visit on 015395 60719 or office@st-marks.cumbria.sch.uk and look at our school website for further information.

Closing date for applications: Friday 9th October at 12.00 noon

Interviews: To be held Wednesday 14th October

Job description and person specification