Teaching Assistant

Coombe House School; Crawley; On-site; GBP 12,398 - 16,531; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD opportunities

Two week half term breaks

Supportive team

Job summary

The Gatwick School in Crawley is seeking a motivated Teaching Assistant on a fixed-term basis to support pupils across key stages. You will help promote wellbeing, learning and personal development as part of a supportive team.

Candidates should have GCSEs in English and Maths and related TA qualifications; experience with pupils and good communication are essential. The role offers opportunities for curriculum input and professional development within the Aurora Academies Trust.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths grade 4–9 (A–C) or equivalent essential
• NVQ Level 2 for Teaching Assistants, in Childcare or in Playwork, or equivalent desirable
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills essential
• Ability to motivate pupils and support learning tasks essential
• Commitment to safeguarding and teamwork essential

Responsibilities

• Assist in promoting wellbeing and learning for all pupils
• Help organise the learning environment and resources
• Support with behaviour management strategies
• Provide individual attention and monitoring of progress to meet pupils' needs

Skills

Motivate pupils

Organise learning

Oral and written communication

Active listening

Behaviour management

Individual support

Record keeping

Calm under pressure

Education

GCSE English/Maths

NVQ Level 2 TA

Job description

The Gatwick School is looking to recruit an enthusiastic and passionate Teaching Assistant on a fixed-term basis to continue inspiring young minds.

The role assists in promoting the best possible outcomes in terms of wellbeing, learning, and personal development of all pupils.

We would love to hear from you if:

• you have a genuine passion for supporting teaching
• you are enthusiastic and committed to working as part of a team
• you are committed to raising the achievement of all students of all abilities

In return for your passion and commitment, we offer:

• A supportive team who place our values of chances, choices , and culture at the centre of all that we do with a commitment to raising pupil achievement and aspirations
• Extensive professional development opportunities, including Aurora Trust-wide CPD
• Two week half term
• All-through primary and secondary with opportunity for input on curriculum development
• Exciting opportunities to work with primary colleagues on enrichment days to enhance secondary readiness for children
• A spacious well-equipped and well-resourced learning environment
• A skilled and committed SLT who are devoted to improving outcomes for all children and staff
• The opportunity to be part of a multi-academy trust that has collaboration at its heart and will support you every step of the way
• Enhanced paternity leave, in excess of the Green and Burgundy Books
• Aurora Academies Advantage scheme - this includes access to free and confidential advice on a range of topics via the Employee Assistance Programme, online GP service, cycle to work scheme, discounts to high-street shops and health and well-being support

Qualifications

GCSE Maths and English grade 4-9 (A-C) or equivalent essential

NVQ Level 2 for Teaching Assistants, in Childcare or in Playwork, or equivalent desirable

Skills

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge

Able to motivate pupils to learn essential

Able to assist with the organisation of the learning environment essential

Good oral and written communication skills essential

Ability to use language and other communication skills that pupils can understand and relate to essential

Ability to demonstrate active listening skills essential

Ability to consistently and effectively implement agreed behaviour management strategies essential

Ability to provide levels of individual attention, reassurance, and support with learning tasks, individual to the pupils' needs essential

Ability to create and maintain high-quality and accurate records essential

Ability to remain calm and patient under pressure, whilst working to deadlines essential

Ability to work effectively and supportively as a member of the school team essential

Ability to work in an organised and methodical manner essential

Ability to carry out and report on systematic observations of pupils' knowledge, understanding, and skills

Knowledge of SEN Code of Practice

Knowledge of strategies to recognise and reward efforts and achievements towards self-reliance that are appropriate to the age and development stage of the pupils

Ability to monitor pupils' responses to learning activities and, where appropriate, modify and/or adapt the activities as agreed with the teacher to achieve the intended learning outcome

Experience

Experience of establishing positive relationships with children and/or young people essential

Ability to offer constructive feedback to pupils, to reinforce self-esteem essential

Previous experience in a similar role

Experience of using IT to support pupils in the classroom

Experience of working in a team

Experience of working successfully as part of a team essential

Experience of working successfully as part of a team essential

Experience/Knowledge

Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, the legal and organisational requirements for maintaining health, safety, and security of yourself and others essential

Qualifications

GCSE level 4, or above, in English and Maths, or equivalent essential

The Gatwick School opened in 2014 as an all-through primary and secondary school, located just a few minutes south of London Gatwick Airport. We currently have over 1000 pupils in the school. In the secondary phase, we are four-form entry throughout Years 7-11, whilst our Primary phase is two-form entry from Reception to Year 6. Our pupils are drawn from Crawley, Horsham, East Sussex and Surrey.

Under new leadership since September 2023, the school has undergone rapid improvement, and has ambitious plans for creating the best possible experience for our students, equipping them with all the skills they need for success, both now and in the future. We want all students and staff to be proud members of our TGS family. At its core, The Gatwick School stands as two small schools, one BIG family. In our recent Ofsted inspection (May 2024) Ofsted wrote "Pupils feel part of 'one big family' in this ambitious and unique all-through school". We believe in providing students with chances and choices, and a truly unique culture of inclusivity and ambition, which enables all to thrive. In this culture, all members of the TGS will have more chances, so they can have more choices in their future.

This is an incredibly exciting time to join The Gatwick School, with:

• Staff turnover significantly below the national average

• 100% of staff feel the behaviour policy is aligned to their values; 100% of staff feel leaders in the school consistently enforce the behaviour policy; and 100% of staff feel leaders listen and respond to concerns about behaviour
• 100% of staff feel they can have an input into the decision made that relate to their role
• 97% of staff believe the school is well led and managed
• 100% of staff feel satisfied in the amount of responsibility they have
• 92% of staff feel leaders are considerate of their wellbeing
• 100% of staff feel leaders use CPD to encourage, challenge and support improvement
• 100% of staff feel staff of all different cultures and backgrounds are valued

• Outcomes from reception to year 11 all in line or above national average (Summer 2024-25)
• Attendance of pupil above national average
• Suspensions and exclusions significantly better than the national average
• International school partnership becoming established, with annual staff trips to America
• Good Ofsted rating (May 2024)
• Top 50 most improved school in the country (Summer 2024)

All of this while we look to grow as a school to have outcomes in the top 25% in the country for progress in the summer of 2027; an exceptional Ofsted rating; ranked as the school of choice in the borough; increase our outreach and school to school support, with more schools joining our successful Aurora Academies Trust; and most importantly maintain our happy family of staff and students who enjoy coming to school every day.

We believe in providing students with chances and choices, and a truly unique culture of inclusivity and ambition.

'I love working at TGS because it truly feels like one big family. It's not often you find a workplace where, the support we give each other is so exceptional. We come together during challenging times and take time to celebrate the good moments as well. It makes it easy to show up every day when you have such a strong, caring team around you.'

The Gatwick School

Emily Sturt

Aurora Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references. Online searches will also be carried out on shortlisted candidates.

Aurora Academies Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Key Role Information

Job type Part Time

Contract type Fixed Term

Closing 24/08/2026 00:00

Interview To be confirmed

Start 2 September 2026

Contract term TTO - Term time only

Pay grade Support Pay Scale - West Sussex | SCP5 - SCP6

Department EDSUP

Key stage Early Years, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4