Pupil Support Assistant - Senior School

The Independent Schools Council; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Edinburgh is seeking a dedicated Pupil Support Assistant to provide essential support to students with a range of additional needs. The role involves classroom assistance, promoting independence, and ensuring a positive learning environment. The ideal candidate will have experience in similar roles, strong communication skills, and a compassionate approach to education. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits, including reduced school fees for staff children. Applications should include a letter detailing the candidate's interest and qualifications.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Reduced school fees for children of staff

Membership of the Galleon Club

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting pupils with learning and physical needs.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Competent in use of technology.

Responsibilities

• Provide classroom support and one-to-one assistance to pupils.
• Attend to personal care and health needs of students.
• Support positive behaviour management strategies.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Planning and Organisational Skills

Empathy

Patience

Flexibility

Education

HNC Childhood Practice

SVQ Social Services

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google

Job description

Location: George Watson’s College, Edinburgh

Contract Type: Permanent, Full or Part Time, Term Time (44 weeks per year)

Salary: £26,301 - £29,351 (based on 36.25 hours and 52 weeks). The salary will be pro-rated for part time and term time working.

Benefits: Competitive salary, reduced school fees at George Watson’s College for children of staff, Membership of the Galleon Club (the school’s fitness club)

George Watson’s College wishes to appoint a Pupil Support Assistant in our Additional Support for Learning Department within our Senior School. To provide dedicated classroom support, as well as personalised, holistic one-to-one and/or small group assistance, to pupils with a wide range of additional needs—whether physical, emotional, social, behavioural, or related to learning. The goal is to ensure every pupil has access to a rich and fulfilling educational experience within the School.

The role also involves offering direct support to assigned pupils across all school activities, while promoting their independence and safeguarding their dignity at all times.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please click the apply for this job button. Please include a letter of application of not more than 800 words giving us more information about you and why you would like the role, addressed to Mrs Louise Clarke, Head of Senior School. Please indicate in your letter if your preference is for full or part time working.

Any specific questions relating to the advertised post can be emailed [e-mail]

If you require more information about the School, please visit our school website.

Closing date: 11:59pm on Wednesday 28 May 2025

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 10 June 2025

Supporting Learning and Teaching Activities:

To support excellent standards of learning and teaching and encourage independence and improvement by recognising and responding to the unique needs and developmental requirements of each child.

To assist teaching staff in supporting pupils with specific learning needs to access the curriculum and promote inclusion and accessibility to the school experience.

As directed by the teacher, and depending on the particular needs of each student, this may include a range of tasks such as:

• helping them with their organisation of classroom work and participation in learning activities, including managing behaviour and keeping them on task
• preparing for classroom activities and setting up learning support materials, technology and equipment
• helping students understand verbal or written instructions or explaining/reinforcing key learning points
• reading, taking notes or scribing for students in class or during exams
• supporting them with communication and discussion work, including the use of augmentative communication equipment, if appropriate
• providing feedback to the pupil to maintain motivation and enhance self-esteem

Supporting personal care, mobility and health and welfare needs:

To attend to the individual personal care, health and medical needs of pupils, assisting them in maintaining a safe, health and hygienic environment whilst at School, enabling them to function at their full potential.

To support individual care plans and health and safety requirements for students by helping with a range of planned procedures such as emergency/fire evacuations, anticipated medical emergencies (e.g. asthma),

Depending on the particular needs of each student and their learning/care plan, this may include a range of tasks such as:

• supporting and promoting independence to students making use of wheelchairs or walking aids, visual and hearing aids etc
• escorting them to/from class and settling them in the learning environment

Supporting behavioural and emotional needs:

To support and reinforce positive behaviour management strategies for each allocated student, guiding their behaviour and helping them to demonstrate good standards of conduct in line with School policies and routines (e.g. timekeeping, homework, dress code, dignity and respect).

To support a range of behavioural and emotional needs, for example, by offering praise and encouragement to pupils, assisting them in building and maintaining trust, supporting their ability to make choices, promoting positive interaction and cooperative working with other pupils, acknowledging feelings and supporting appropriate expression of emotions, etc.

To help teachers in maintaining any associated records of behavioural patterns, observations of changes in behaviour, welfare concerns etc.

To provide a range of support to students participating in learning and teaching activities outwith the classroom, e.g. recreational/social activities, drama or music rehearsals or shows, school trips, and swimming and sport/PE lessons etc.

Supporting administration, planning and review activities:

To contribute to supporting teachers with the collection and maintenance of information, as required.

As directed by teaching staff, contribute to planning and reporting review meetings for students with additional support for learning needs.

To positively interact with parents and carers and respond to their comments, suggestions or concerns, ensuring onward communication of information to relevant teaching or other support staff in line with appropriate confidentiality requirements.

To carry out other reasonable ad hoc duties as directed by members of the Additional Support for Learning (ASL) or School management team.

To participate positively in team meetings and in appropriate continuous professional development events for ASL staff by attending training courses, giving and receiving feedback, maintaining knowledge etc.

Essential:

• Previous demonstrable experience in a similar role supporting individual pupils with learning and physical needs
• Appropriate academic qualifications that would enable successful support as a scribe
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal and listening skills
• Good planning and organisational skills
• Competent in use of technology, Microsoft Office, Google etc
• Highly empathy and patient
• Proactive and intuitive
• Adaptable and resilient to cope withthe demands of role
• Flexibility to provide cover as required for trips, outings, evening rehearsals/shows

Desirable:

• Experience in an educational or learning setting
• A related qualification such as an HNC Childhood Practice, SVQ Social Services, or equivalent in a Care related subject