Communications Assistant (Specialist Resource Provision)

Avanti Schools Trust; Bishop's Stortford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension

O2 discounts

Specsavers vouchers

NUS Card eligibility

Well-being programs

Cycle-to-work

Job summary

Avanti Grange Secondary School in Bishop's Stortford is seeking a Communications Assistant (Specialist Resource Provision) to support students with additional needs to access learning and participate confidently in the mainstream classroom.

You will work with the Specialist Teacher and wider team to create an inclusive learning environment, observe progress, and share feedback with teachers while promoting safeguarding and wellbeing across the school community.

Responsibilities

• Support SRP students to access learning and participate in the mainstream classroom.
• Work with the Specialist Teacher to create a supportive, inclusive learning environment.
• Encourage positive relationships and confident transitions into the wider school community.
• Observe progress and provide teachers with meaningful feedback on student development.
• Promote safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion across the school.

Job description

Grade: Grade 3, £26,388 - £27,188 per annum, pro rata. Approximately £18,289 - £18,844 per annum (0.69309 FTE)

About us and the role

We are seeking a Communications Assistant (Specialist Resource Provision) to join the team at Avanti Grange Secondary School, supporting students to access learning, build confidence and develop their independence within the mainstream school environment.

Working closely with the Specialist Teacher and wider teaching team, you will provide tailored support in the classroom, helping students engage positively with their learning, develop relationships with others and participate in the wider school community.

You will have the opportunity to understand each student's individual needs, strengths and goals, adapting your support to help them make progress and become increasingly confident in their learning and interactions with others. You will also play an important role in supporting students as they develop greater confidence in transitioning into mainstream lessons and taking part in the wider life of the school.

This role will enable you to build meaningful relationships with students and contribute positively to their inclusion, progress and wellbeing. You will be part of a supportive and collaborative team, with opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues, take part in relevant training and develop your own skills and experience in supporting students with additional needs. Your contribution will help create a positive, welcoming environment where students feel valued, supported and able to achieve their potential.

School visits are welcomed and encouraged. Please contact the school to arrange a suitable time.

Avanti Grange is Bishop's Stortford's newest secondary school, already recognised as Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted (2025). Our state-of-the-art campus serves families across Bishop's Stortford and neighbouring villages, and is home to a vibrant, ambitious and supportive community. The school is heavily oversubscribed, reflecting its strong reputation locally and the demand to be part of our journey.

We are a co-educational community school, part of the Avanti Schools Trust, with a clear vision to inspire spiritually compassionate changemakers. Our staff are motivated by a shared purpose: to deliver exceptional teaching, foster character formation, and nurture wellbeing. As one colleague put it: "Working at Avanti Grange feels like being part of a family with a shared, values-driven mission.".

We are equally committed to the growth of our staff as to the success of our students. In 2024, we were awarded the Teacher Development Trust Gold Award for the quality and culture of our professional development - recognition held by only a small number of schools nationally. Through education-leading CPD and coaching, colleagues at Avanti Grange thrive in an environment where "better never stops.".

Students benefit from a rigorous, knowledge-rich curriculum, underpinned by yoga, mindfulness, and an exceptional co-curricular programme. Our pastoral system is a defining strength: impeccable behaviour supports high-quality learning, while wellbeing is woven into daily life through practices that allow both staff and students to flourish.

With more than 660 students on roll and growing each year towards a full secondary and sixth form, Avanti Grange offers a rare opportunity to help shape one of the most exciting schools in the region.

What will you do?

• Support students from the Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) to access learning and participate confidently in the mainstream classroom.
• Work closely with the Specialist Teacher and wider teaching team to create a purposeful, supportive and inclusive learning environment.
• Encourage students to develop positive relationships, engage with others and build their confidence in transitioning into the wider school community.
• Observe and share meaningful feedback with teachers on students' progress, achievement and development, including progress towards individual targets.
• Promote safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion while contributing to professional development, training and the wider life of the school

Why should you apply

Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place.

You will be working in a fantastic environment, with:

• Great opportunities for professional development
• LGPS pension scheme (subject to eligibility)
• O2 discounts, Specsavers corporate eye test vouchers
• Eligible for NUS Card and CSSC membership
• Well-being programs (retreats, yoga, wellness apps)
• Cycle-to-work Scheme

What are we looking for?

• Good level of literacy and numeracy skills
• Good keyboard skills and knowledge of relevant ICT packages, computer, audio and video equipment
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing
• The ability to work well within a team
• Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all students

Please view the full Job Description for more information on the responsibilities and essential criteria required for this role.

Further information

Pre-employment checks

Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks.

Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.

Diversity and Inclusion

We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here. This means we will work hard to understand that each employee is unique and ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favourably on the basis of specific characteristics.

Such characteristics include (but are not limited to) age, disability, gender including transgender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and how the school supports pregnant women and new parents.

Safeguarding Statement

Avanti Grange Secondary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.