Pupil Support Assistant (Junior School) (Fixed Term Contract)

Isbi; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Galleon Club membership

Job summary

George Watson's College in Edinburgh is seeking a dedicated Pupil Support Assistant to provide holistic support to pupils with diverse needs across the Junior School. You will help pupils access learning, participate in school life and develop independence with a nurturing, responsive approach.

The role requires building strong relationships with children, collaborating with teachers, and promoting dignity, inclusion and wellbeing in a busy school environment. Term-time hours apply.

Qualifications

• A calm, empathetic, patient and approachable manner.
• Commitment to children's rights, safeguarding, confidentiality and wellbeing.
• Experience supporting children or young people with additional needs.
• Knowledge of Curriculum for Excellence and safeguarding procedures.

Responsibilities

• Supporting learning and teaching, helping pupils access the curriculum and participate in class activities.
• Supporting personal care and health needs, following care plans and safeguarding procedures.
• Supporting wellbeing, behaviour and relationships with pupils through restorative approaches.
• Contributing to the smooth running of the Junior School and liaising with the wider team.
• Planning, communication and professional development, maintaining records and contributing to reviews.

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Edinburgh

Job Reference schooltalent/TP/105/2894

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Fixed Term, Full Time, Term Time

£21,981 - £24,530 per annum for 33.75 hours and 44 weeks.

Working Hours:

33.75

Location:

Edinburgh

Closing Date:

12/11/2026

Department:

Teaching Support

Region / Division:

George Watson's College

Job Role:

Operational/Professional Services

Package Description

Location: George Watson's College

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until June 2027 , Term Time only

Salary: £21,981 - £24,530 per annum for 33.75 hours and 44 weeks.

Benefits: Automatic enrolment in the contributory support staff pension scheme, Membership of the Galleon Club (the school's fitness club), access to a wide range of employee benefits.

The Role

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding Pupil Support Assistant to join our team within the Junior School. The successful candidate will provide personalised, holistic support to pupils with a range of physical, emotional, social, behavioural and learning needs, enabling them to access learning, participate fully in school life and develop increasing independence.

This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced, nurturing and highly responsive practitioner who can build positive relationships with children, work closely with teachers and colleagues, and adapt support to the individual needs of pupils. The role will involve supporting pupils across the Junior School, both in and beyond the classroom, while promoting dignity, inclusion, confidence and wellbeing.

Hours of work will be 33.75 hours per week, working Monday to Friday 8:15am - 3:30pm (including a 30 minute unpaid break each day). This position is term time only (36 weeks plus professional learning days). The annual leave entitlement is seven weeks per year making a total of 44 weeks. The salary for this position will be in the Grade 2 range which currently stands at £27,903 - £31,138 per annum (based on 36.25 hours per week, 52 weeks per year). This equates to £21,981 - £24,530 per annum for 33.75 hours and 44 weeks.

Main Responsibilities

Supporting learning and teaching

• To support high-quality learning and teaching by recognising and responding to the individual needs, strengths and developmental requirements of each pupil.
• To work closely with teaching staff to ensure that pupils with additional support needs can access the curriculum, participate in learning and develop their independence, confidence and resilience.
• As directed by teaching staff and in response to individual pupil needs, responsibilities may include:
  • supporting pupils to engage with learning activities, follow instructions and remain appropriately focused
  • helping pupils organise their work and participate successfully in classroom activities
  • preparing and adapting learning resources, technology and equipment
  • explaining or reinforcing instructions and key learning points
  • reading, taking notes or scribing for pupils in class or during assessments, where required
  • supporting communication and discussion, including the use of augmentative communication equipment where appropriate
  • reinforcing positive behaviour, school values and expectations through calm, consistent and respectful interactions
  • providing encouragement and constructive feedback to promote motivation and self-esteem
  • supporting pupils to develop the skills and confidence to make choices and take increasing responsibility for their learning.

Supporting personal care, health and welfare

• To support the individual personal care, health and medical needs of pupils, helping them to remain safe, healthy and comfortable and to participate fully in school life.
• To follow individual care plans, risk assessments and health and safety procedures, including supporting planned procedures and emergency arrangements where required.
• Depending on the needs of individual pupils, this may include:
  • supporting fine and gross motor activities and physical access to learning
  • assisting with toileting, dressing and feeding while promoting independence and dignity
  • supporting pupils with personal care or medical requirements
  • supporting pupils who use wheelchairs, walking aids, visual or hearing aids and other equipment
  • escorting pupils to and from classes and helping them to settle successfully into learning environments.

Supporting wellbeing, behaviour and relationships

• To build positive, trusting relationships with pupils and interact with them in a calm, caring, courteous and respectful manner, using restorative and rights-respecting approaches.
• To support positive behaviour strategies and help pupils develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, cooperation, communication and the ability to make appropriate choices.
• To respond sensitively to pupils' individual developmental, physical and emotional needs and to promote individuality, independence, confidence and self-esteem.
• To observe and communicate relevant information about behaviour, wellbeing or welfare concerns to appropriate members of staff, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• To support pupils in learning and social activities beyond the classroom, including break and lunch periods, recreational activities, performances, school trips, swimming, sport and PE, as appropriate.
• To facilitate or support small-group nurture activities that develop pupils' emotional wellbeing, social skills and confidence.

Supporting the wider Junior School

• To contribute positively to the smooth and effective running of the Junior School and work collaboratively as part of the wider Junior School and Additional Support for Learning teams.
• To prepare, organise and maintain learning resources and contribute to the presentation, safety and hygiene of classroom and communal areas.
• To supervise pupils safely in indoor and outdoor environments, including on organised outings and within the school grounds, following appropriate risk assessment and safeguarding procedures.
• To demonstrate initiative, manage day-to-day tasks effectively and respond flexibly when planned activities or pupil needs change, seeking advice from teaching or leadership staff when required.
• To maintain positive and respectful relationships with colleagues and parents and carers, responding sensitively to comments, questions or concerns and ensuring information is shared appropriately.

Planning, communication and professional development

• To contribute, as appropriate, to individual pupil plans, records of progress, observations and risk assessments, supporting teaching staff with the collection and maintenance of relevant information.
• To contribute to review meetings and planning for pupils with additional support needs as directed by teaching staff.
• To participate positively in team meetings, professional learning, review and PRD processes, giving and receiving feedback and continuing to develop professional knowledge and practice.
• To carry out other reasonable duties as directed by the ASL or Junior School leadership team.

The Ideal Candidate

• A calm, empathetic, patient and approachable manner, with the ability to build trusting relationships with children.
• A commitment to children's rights, inclusion, safeguarding, confidentiality and the wellbeing of every pupil.
• Previous demonstrable experience of supporting children or young people with additional social, emotional, behavioural, learning or physical needs.
• Initiative, resilience, flexibility and adaptability, with the ability to work effectively with different pupils and age ranges.
• Appropriate literacy and communication skills to support pupils effectively, including the ability to scribe where required.
• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal and listening skills.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage time effectively and respond positively to changing priorities.
• A commitment to professional learning, reflection and continuous improvement.
• Experience of working within an educational setting, particularly within a Junior School.
• A relevant qualification, such as SVQ Level 3 in Childcare Learning and Development or an equivalent vocational qualification, or demonstrable equivalent competency gained through relevant experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of Curriculum for Excellence, particularly Literacy, Numeracy and Health and Wellbeing.
• Sound knowledge of child protection and safeguarding procedures.
• Experience of supporting pupils with personal care, medical needs, physical access or augmentative communication.
• A specialist knowledge, skill or interest that could enrich pupils' learning and wider experiences, such as sport, languages, creative arts or design.
• Ability to use technology confidently, including Microsoft Office and relevant learning or communication technology.

About the school/organisation

George Watson'sCollege sits in the heart of Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh, providing a world-class education for children and young people from Preschool to Senior 6.

We encourage our pupils to develop a love of learning through an inspiring curriculum and an extensive and inclusive enrichment programme, which are underpinned by the four values we live by: aim high, be kind, join in and respect all.

Our school is a place where pupils have the freedom to thrive, succeed, explore, perform, and grow, giving them the opportunity to discover their own limitless potential.

Preschool, junior and senior pupils all learn and play on the same 52-acre campus, where our sports facilities, music school, art department, technology building and drama studios are within walking distance.

We offer our pupils one of the widest extra-curricular programmes you will find anywhere, plus the opportunity to travel internationally during their time with us, and a broad range of learning experiences outside the classroom.

Digital technology supports and enhances learning, with every pupil encouraged to use their device where it adds real value to developing skills and critical thinking.

Our school has an enviable reputation for the breadth of opportunities pupils have to get active, with around 25 different sports available to both girls and boys. Participation, excellence, professionalism and equality are the four cornerstones of our physical education and sport department here at Watson's.

When it comes to music and drama, our pupils are given the opportunity to co-produce stunning shows, delivering memorable performances that live long beyond school days.

Most importantly, the wellbeing of our pupils matters to us more than anything else. There are various ways we support pupils to proactively manage their mental health, while a range of peer-led programmes has created a culture in which we can all play our part.

All this means that when the sun shines we celebrate the happy moments, and when it doesn't we're there to protect and support, just as our motto says: ex corde caritas - love from the heart. www.gwc.org.uk