Classroom Assistant

Freemantles School; Woking; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking school as a Classroom Assistant, where you will make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with autism and complex needs. This rewarding role offers the chance to learn on the job, with comprehensive training and professional development opportunities. You will work in a supportive environment that values teamwork and resilience, helping to deliver an engaging curriculum that fosters independence and social skills. With flexible hours and a commitment to staff well-being, this position is perfect for those looking to grow in the education sector.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Paid sickness leave

Built-in holiday pay entitlement

Employee Assistance Programme

Free parking

Wellbeing and social activities

Qualifications

• Experience working with children is beneficial but not essential.
• Paid training package and ongoing professional development provided.

Responsibilities

• Support children in learning activities inside and outside the classroom.
• Promote emotional well-being and life satisfaction of students.

Skills

Enthusiasm

Commitment to supporting children

Teamwork

Flexibility

Resilience

Education

Good level of English

Good level of Maths

Job description

Classroom Assistant positions available at Freemantles Specialist School! Apply today for your opportunity to join an amazing community that makes a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families every day. Permanent full time (term time working) and part time opportunities available.

Freemantles School is a Specialist school based in Mayford Green, Woking, providing education provision for autistic children and young people or children with complex social communication needs aged 4 to 19 years. On our Mayford site we have a Primary School building and a Secondary & FE School building that opened in the last year. We are also running a temporary satellite site for autistic infant children at the former Ripley CoE Infants School building. We are seeking further Classroom Assistants to support our amazing children and young people. Our classes have 9 children on average.

There are positions available in both Primary (at our Mayford and Ripley sites) and Secondary & FE.To start as soon as possible, or September 2025. When applying, please state whether you are applying for a Primary or Secondary/FE role, and if applying for Primary whether you want to work at Mayford or Ripley, so that your application can be considered by the relevant team.

Whilst previous experience of working with children would be good, it is not essential, as we provide all staff with a paid training package and ongoing professional development.

What can we offer you?

• An opportunity to learn on the job.
• The school leaders at Freemantles are experienced in supporting staff to develop their individual careers in a range of fields including education and psychology for example. The unique hands-on experience you will gain with Freemantles may be an ideal stepping stone in your career.
• A rewarding role, with plenty of variety. The curriculum at Freemantles is not only what we formally teach, it is the means by which we focus on the learning needs of each student for their emotional well-being and life satisfaction both now and in the future. We aim to deliver an exciting and stimulating curriculum, which includes outdoor and community learning. All classes have weekly outings into the community to extend their learning beyond the classroom and develop their communication, independence and social skills.
• As a Surrey County Council employee, you will be able to access a generous pension scheme, Surrey retail and leisure discount and offer programme, paid sickness leave, built in holiday pay entitlement.
• A workplace which promotes professional wellbeing and resilience. All staff at Freemantles have access to an Employee Assistance Programme, a dedicated staff room and free parking. We also run wellbeing and social activities throughout the year.

What are we looking for in a Classroom Assistant?

• Enthusiasm and commitment to supporting the children and young people at Freemantles in all learning activities both inside and outside of the classroom.
• Hardworking, resilient individuals that can be flexible and have an ability to stay calm when things get tricky.
• Good team players to work within the class team and be respectful of others

The positions are for up to 30 hours per week, and we would consider part-time working. Our Primary school hours are from 9.15am to 3.15pm. Our Secondary/FE school hours are from 8.50am to 2.50pm. The positions are term time only and graded at PS3 with a salary of £16,901, based on working 30 hours per week, term time only. This is paid on a spread-over basis so you receive the same amount each month, regardless of school holidays.

*Please note that the April 2025 Surrey Pay Award negotiations are currently underway. There is likely to be a percentage increase to the salary figure quoted, which will be applied later in the year*.

A good level of English and Maths is required.

Application forms only - CV’s are not accepted.

Freemantles is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to demonstrably share this commitment.

An Enhanced DBS check will be essential. Please note that we will be undertaking online searches on shortlisted candidates, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Application forms only - CV’s are not accepted. We will be shortlisting applications using the person specification. Please ensure that you read the job description and person specification before submitting your application.The job description, person specification and application form can be seen below. Please submit your application form online via ETEACH.

Closing date: This round of recruitment will run until Wednesday 4th June 2025 at 9am

Interviews: We are shortlisting applications in two stages during this recruitment round and will be holding interviews on two dates - Wednesday 21st May 2025 and Thursday 12th June. Please submit your application as soon as possible; the earlier you submit your application, the earlier you may be invited to interview (if successfully shortlisted).

We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people. We make every effort to provide an environment in which children, young people and adults feel safe, secure, valued and respected, and feel confident to talk if they are worried, believing they will be effectively listened to.