Teaching Assistant

RUTLAND AND DISTRICT SCHOOLS' FEDERATION; Oakham; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational federation is seeking a motivated Teaching Assistant to support secondary school students. This role involves providing learning support, working with small groups, and contributing to a nurturing educational environment. The position offers opportunities for professional development and a supportive team atmosphere.

Benefits

Commitment to continued professional development

Priority admission for children of staff

Extracurricular trip opportunities

Government Pension Scheme

Subsidised restaurant

Complimentary lunch on training days

Cycleshare scheme

Free parking

Qualifications

• Basic level of education with at least 5 good GCSEs.
• Understanding of individual learning requirements.
• Experience in supporting students with special educational needs.

Responsibilities

• Support learning and manage student needs.
• Provide feedback on student progress.
• Liaise with professionals and parents.

Skills

Motivation

Communication

Teamwork

Education

5 good GCSEs including English and mathematics

Job description

TEACHING ASSISTANT

32.92 hours per week, plus 1 training day a year of 6.5 hours.
Term-time only (37 weeks per annum).
Scale 1, points 2 – 6 £23,884 – £25,467 pa full time equivalent
Pro-rata actual salary 74.49% of FTE = £17,791 – £18,970pa.
Our preferred hours are Monday – Friday 8.30am to 3.40pm, however these are negotiable.
Start date September 2025.

Are you interested in working with children of secondary school age and are you looking to either start or continue your career in education? Our teaching assistants work 37 weeks a year (term-time only) in school supporting our students and, other than one day’s training per year, benefit from all Federation school holidays.

We are looking for someone who is motivated to inspire students’ learning. The successful candidate will provide learning support or specific intervention to students and will work within small groups as directed by teaching staff to complement the work of a teacher or by the SENCOs for identified intervention. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a strong and supportive team of teaching assistants within a high-performing Federation, with exciting opportunities for further professional development and promotion for successful applicants.

The College has a Designated Special Provision (DSP) for students with Moderate Learning Difficulty (MLD). Students would normally be offered a place in this provision if they are working at or below National Curriculum Level 2. The DSP provides a bespoke and nurturing curriculum which promotes outstanding progress.

Catmose College is part of the Rutland and District Schools’ Federation which currently consists of Catmose College, Catmose Primary and Harington School. This provides wider opportunities for staff, giving them broader experience across different organisations.

We have superb facilities throughout, with purpose-built laboratories offering excellent teaching resources and access to numerous iPads, laptops and computers; the College is able to offer a truly exceptional technology-led learning environment.

Staff are able to enjoy many additional benefits that come as part of working within the Federation. These include, amongst others:

• A commitment to continued professional development.
• Priority admission for children of staff to the College and Primary.
• A broad range of opportunities to engage in extracurricular trips and activities.
• Highly rated average final salary Government Pension Scheme.
• A subsidised restaurant, refectory and orangery.
• Complimentary lunch on staff training days.
• Cycleshare scheme salary sacrifice for bike purchases.
• Free parking.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applications from candidates looking for a variety of flexible working arrangements.

If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Claire Pugh (Vice Principal) via email [e-mail]

JOB PURPOSE

The Teaching Assistant’s role is to support the learning of students to ensure their achievements are outstanding.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

• To work in partnership with the teacher in supporting learning and managing the needs of students to ensure barriers to learning are addressed and they make at least the same progress as their peers and close any attainment gaps.
• To support students’ inclusion within the Federation.
• To support students in taking responsibility for their own learning.
• To provide the teacher with accurate and objective feedback and reports on students’ progress and achievement.
• To liaise with professionals and parents / carers, as agreed with the line manager, in order to support the educational development and well-being of students.
• Continue to develop own practice through training and collaboration, using new technologies when appropriate to improve learning.

FEDERATION

• To familiarise yourself and comply with the Federation rules, policies and procedures in force including those contained in the Staff Handbook.
• Support the vision and ethos of the Federation.
• Uphold routines for learning and uniform.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluating the success of the Federation.
• To proactively respond to issues identified in the Transformation Plan to bring about sustained improvement.
• Contribute to the range of extra-curricular opportunities on offer to students.
• Any other reasonable duties as requested by the Executive Principal.

SAFEGUARDING, HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students in our care and expects all staff to share this commitment. We provide safeguarding training to all staff on an annual basis. All staff are responsible for ensuring safeguarding, health and safety policies are implemented in line with Federation policy and current legislation. Please familiarise yourself with our Safeguarding Policy, available online at www.rutlandfederation.com/policies

This position advertised is a ‘regulated position’ which means it will involve regular contact with children and young people; under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 it is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. This position is also ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer.

OTHERDUTIES

This job description sets out the main duties associated with the stated purpose of the post. It is assumed that other duties of a similar nature undertaken within the role are not excluded because they are not itemised.

TEACHING ASSISTANT PERSON SPECIFICATION

Required Desirable Evidence

QUALIFICATIONS A basic level of education with at least 5 good GCSEs including English and mathematics. A specialist qualification with evidence of an interest in continued training. Letter of application and interview including evidence of examination results.

EXPERIENCE

A good understanding of the importance of meeting individual learning requirements and some understanding of current educational issues.

An understanding of the role of monitoring.

Successful experience in a school or collegeof supporting students who have special educational needs.

Clear practical strategies for supporting students.

Experience of monitoring and evaluating learning leading to students making outstanding progress.

Interviews

References

Portfolio of work

Letter of application

FEDERATION REVIEW Has evidence of monitoring and intervening with students to improve their performance. Letter of application and interview.

LIAISON

An ability to work with students.

Good listening skills, the ability to communicate effectively and to work as part of a team.

Evidence of establishing excellent relationships with a range of stakeholders within an organisation.

References

Interviews

Letter of application

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

An understanding of the importance of training.

A proven desire to improve, with recent evidence of certified professional development.

Has evidence of continued professional development relevant to their subject area.

References

Interviews

Letter of application

• You should write a letter of application on no more than 2 sides of A4.
• You should complete all sections of the application form.
• On the form clearly state the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of two professional referees; it is our usual practice to ask for references before shortlisting and always to ask for references before interviews.
• It is a condition of employment that you can provide proof of identity and qualifications gained.
• Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Please note that due to the high number of applications we receive for positions, your application is unlikely to be considered if you do not follow these requirements. CVs are not accepted. The closing date is 9am on Monday 2 June 2025. You should send your application to Stuart Williams, Executive Principal, Catmose College, Huntsmans Drive, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6RP. Applications can also be emailed to [e-mail]