Specialist Teaching Assistant

eTeach UK Limited; Slough; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS or TPS Pension

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Employee Wellbeing & Support

Discounts & Benefits

Season Ticket Loan

Job summary

Arbour Vale School, part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust, is seeking a caring Teaching Assistant to support pupils aged 2–19 with diverse educational needs. You will help learners access the curriculum, provide personal care and therapy programmes, and promote wellbeing in a safe, inclusive setting.

The role is 33.5 hours per week, term time only, with competitive salary and pension options. Training and development opportunities are offered within a large, supportive Trust.

Qualifications

• GCSEs in English and Maths (grade 4/C or above).
• Proven experience caring for children in an educational setting.
• Commitment to safeguarding and equal opportunities policy.

Responsibilities

• Support learning and development by helping pupils access the curriculum.
• Provide personal and therapeutic care and follow training and care plans.
• Safeguard and promote pupil wellbeing and safety in line with procedures.
• Assist with classroom setup, displays, resources, and occasional clerical tasks.

Skills

GCSE English & Maths (4/C or above)

Teamwork

Safeguarding

Caring for children in education

Education

GCSEs in English and Maths (grade 4/C or above)

Job description

Salary: FTE £28,686.00+ SSA allowance £1,315.07 per annum

Salary: Level 4, Point 19 – £22,857.97+ SSA allowance £1,047.89 per annum (FTE £28,686.00+ SSA allowance £1,315.07 per annum)

Location: Arbour Vale School and Satellite Centre Working Pattern: 33.5 hours per week, term time only (Monday 8.30am – 4.30pm; Tuesday - Friday 8.30am – 3.30pm)

Arbour Vale School is a large and inclusive special school in Slough, supporting pupils aged 2 to 19 with a wide range of educational needs. It is one of the largest special schools in the country, meeting the needs of children and young people with moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning needs, and autism. The school is purpose built with specialist facilities including a dedicated nursery and post-16 base, soft-play area, hydrotherapy pool, multi-sensory room, a newly refurbished library, well-equipped IT suite, dedicated music room and large sports hall. Arbour Vale School is a vibrant and welcoming community and offers many opportunities for professionals who want a rewarding career enabling young people to achieve their full potential irrespective of their personal learning needs.

We are looking for a caring and committed Teaching Assistant to support our students' educational journey. Your day-to-day assistance will be crucial in providing the help and encouragement students need to thrive in a supportive classroom environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support Learning and Development - Assist classroom teachers to ensure all pupils can access the curriculum, promoting progress, independence, communication, and positive behaviour.
• Provide Personal and Therapeutic Care - Deliver personal care, medical interventions, and individual therapy programmes (e.g., Physio, OT, SaLT, specialist feeding), following care plans and undertaking relevant training.
• Safeguarding and Wellbeing - Promote the safety, health, and wellbeing of pupils at all times, reporting any concerns in line with school safeguarding and Health & Safety procedures.
• Classroom and Resource Support - Prepare classrooms and learning environments, support displays, manage resources, and provide clerical or administrative assistance as required.

Key Requirements:

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, grade 4/C or above
• Proven successful experience of working or caring with children in an educational setting
• Understanding of and commitment to work within the scope of the school’s equal opportunities policy
• Ability to work constructively as part of a team understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and your own position within those responsibilities.
• Commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children

Rewards & Benefits:

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Home Electronics Scheme and Employee Car Lease Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Find out what makes OHCAT a truly rewarding place to work - visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to hear from our Chief Executive Officer, John Prior, and watch inspiring messages from students and parents about the difference our staff make every day.

Our Trust Arbour Vale School is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners. Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.

As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.

It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.

If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the School directly. Visits to the School in advance of applications are encouraged.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.