Specialist Teaching Assistant 1:1

Greatoakscollege; Sunbury-on-Thames; On-site; GBP 26,195 - 27,784; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee assistance programme

Access to Private Doctors and Nurses 24/7

Teachers Pension scheme

Staff discounts

Continuous professional development training

Job summary

A specialist independent college in Sunbury-on-Thames is seeking a 1:1 Teaching Assistant to support students with learning difficulties. Candidates should have a Level 3 qualification and experience in a special educational setting, particularly with autism. This permanent, term-time position offers a supportive environment, professional development, and a competitive salary based on experience.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a special college or specialist school.
• Familiarity with using Makaton signing and symbols.
• Experience working with students with autism.

Responsibilities

• Support individual students in their learning environment.
• Assist students with communication using Makaton.
• Promote the well-being and development of students.

Skills

Experience with Makaton signing

Familiarity with autism and complex needs

Level 3 qualification in relevant subject

Education

Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject

Job description

Overview

Great Oaks College is a specialist independent college which is currently open to students across three sites.

The college provides further educational opportunities to students aged 19-25 with moderate, severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties, many of whom also have other needs such as physical disabilities, sensory impairments and autism. We run three Pathways: Vocational, Life and Living and Engagement for Life.

In January 2025 we are relocating 2 sites to our new main college building in Sunbury-on-Thames (Surrey).

The Life and Living Pathway is located at the Triangle in Hounslow, Engagement for Life is located in the Oaklands school (until December 2025) and Vocational Department is located at the Staines Rugby Club (until December 2025).

Role and Requirements

We are looking to employ a 1:1 Teaching Assistant to our team. We are interested to hear from you if you have an Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject and have worked in a special college or specialist school before. You will have previous experience and be familiar with using Makaton signing and symbols for communication and essentially have experience of working with students with autism and complex needs.

We believe that all of our students are capable of making outstanding progress and we want to appoint individuals who share our beliefs. Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details of the role and the skills/experience needed.

Safeguarding and Employment

Great Oaks College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and anyone applying to work at the College is expected to share this commitment. This position is subject to a satisfactory, enhanced DBS check with adult barring and references being received. All positions are subject to the satisfactory completion of a twenty-six working week probation period.

Benefits and how to apply

We value our employees and offer a supportive and engaging environment, comprehensive induction, inset and excellent continuous professionaldevelopment training sessions, Teachers Pension scheme access to staff discounts, and other wellbeing benefits:

An employee assistance programme

Access to Private Doctors and Nurses 24/7 free of charge

Please ensure that you explain clearly in your application how you meet the person specification.

Closing Date: Monday, 10.11.2025 at 9am

Start Date: December 2025 or January 2026 depending on the compliance checks.

Contract Type: Permanent, Term Time Only

Pay Scale: Inner London Pay Scale 6, point 16 to 20 £34,779 to 36,888 per annum pro rata

Actual Salary: £26,195 to £27,784 per annum, depending on the experience.

Hours of work: 31.25 hours per week (excluding 45 min breaks), 08:30 – 15:30. (Monday to Friday). Due to the college’s opening hours, we are unable to offer flexibility in the hours of work.