Teaching Assistant

eTeach UK Limited; Dorking; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS/TPS pension

Salary sacrifice schemes

Employee wellbeing

Staff discounts

Season ticket loan

Employee referral scheme

Job summary

Unified Academy in Dorking is seeking a teaching assistant to join our fast-improving school. You will support learners, assist the teacher, and help manage pupils in the classroom to ensure progress in all aspects of school life.

You will work under teaching staff guidance, with responsibilities including supervising students, using ICT tools, and fostering inclusive relationships. A GCSE in English and Maths or equivalent is required.

Qualifications

• Proven successful experience working with or caring for children in any setting.
• Basic understanding of child development and learning.
• Effective and professional communication skills with the ability to engage young people.
• GCSE grade C or Level 2 in English and Maths or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and provide individual support for students, ensuring safety and access to learning activities.
• Follow general instructions to support teaching and learning activities including ICT use.
• Establish constructive relationships with students and engage with them across school life.
• Promote inclusion of all students and encourage interaction led by the teacher.

Skills

Experience with children

Professional communication

Child development knowledge

Education

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Job description

Salary: Scale ¾, SP -14-21, £26,035.77 - £27,959.88 per annum (FTE £30,405 - £32,652)

Location: Unified Academy, Chart Lane South, Dorking, RH5 4DB

Working Pattern: 36 hours per week, Term Time Only

Unified Academy, located in Dorking, is a special school for boys aged 9 to 16, who have social, emotional, and mental health needs. Many of our students also face moderate learning and attachment difficulties. The school takes a highly personalised approach to education, with small class sizes and carefully tailored lessons that consider the individual needs, interests, and abilities of each student. This ensures that their learning is purposeful, engaging, and relevant. The team at Unified Academy are driven to secure the best possible outcomes for their students by nurturing them to become well-rounded, confident adults with high aspirations for their future. To find out more about us visit our school website.

We are seeking a teaching assistant to join our team and contribute to our fast-improving school. You will work under the guidance of teaching staff to support learners make exceptional progress in all aspects of school life and assist the teacher in the management of pupils and the classroom.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and provide individual support for students, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities.
• To follow general instructions and guidance to fully support all teaching and learning activities in the classroom including the competent and regular use of ICT, including a range of communication aids.
• Establish constructive relationships with students and engage with them purposefully in all aspects of school life.
• Promote the inclusion of all students.
• Encourage students to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher.

Key Requirements

• GCSE grade C or Level 2 equivalent functional skills in English and Maths
• Proven successful experience working with or caring for children in any setting
• Basic understanding of child development and learning
• Effective and professional communication skills with the ability to engage young people

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:

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, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics 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 Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust a truly rewarding place to work – visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to learn more about our values, opportunities and the difference our staff make every day.

Unified Academy 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 we 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 the 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.

Closing Date: Friday 27 November 2026

Interviews will take place on: w/c Monday 7 December 2026

To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.