Teaching Assistant

Greatoakscollege; Sunbury-on-Thames; On-site; GBP 27,435 - 29,102; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee assistance programme

Access to Private Doctors and Nurses 24/7 free of charge

Daily staff breakfasts including fruits, cereal, and toast

Job summary

A specialist independent college is seeking a Teaching Assistant to support students with moderate to profound learning difficulties. The ideal candidate will have an NVQ3 qualification and experience in special education. This permanent, term-time position offers a pay range of £27,435 to £29,102 per annum. The role includes a supportive work environment with access to various employee benefits, including private healthcare. The position is based in Sunbury-on-Thames.

Qualifications

• Must possess an NVQ3 qualification in a relevant subject.
• Experience in a special college or specialist school is essential.
• Familiarity with Makaton signing and symbols is required.
• Experience working with students with autism and complex needs is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Support students in their personal and academic development.
• Implement strategies for effective communication.
• Collaborate with educational staff to enhance learning experiences.

Skills

NVQ3 in a relevant subject

Experience in a special college or specialist school

Familiarity with Makaton signing

Experience with students with autism and complex needs

Job description

Overview

Great Oaks College is a specialist independent college which is currently open to students across three sites.

The college provides further educational opportunities to students aged 19-25 with moderate, severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties, many of whom also have other needs such as physical disabilities, sensory impairments and autism. We run three Pathways: Vocational, Life and Living and Engagement for Life. In January 2025 we are relocating 2 sites to our new main college building in Sunbury-on-Thames (Surrey).

Locations: The Life and Living Pathway is located at the Triangle in Hounslow, Engagement for Life is located in the Oaklands school (until December 2025) and the Vocational Department is located at the Staines Rugby Club (until December 2025).

Role

We are looking to employ a Teaching Assistant to our team. We are interested to hear from you if you have an NVQ3 in a relevant subject and have worked in a special college or specialist school before. You will have previous experience and be familiar with using Makaton signing and symbols for communication and essentially have experience of working with students with autism and complex needs. We believe that all of our students are capable of making outstanding progress and we want to appoint individuals who share our beliefs.

Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details of the role and the skills/experience needed.

Safeguarding and Conditions

Great Oaks College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and anyone applying to work at the College is expected to share this commitment. This position is subject to a satisfactory, enhanced DBS check with adult barring and references being received. All positions are subject to the satisfactory completion of a twenty-six working week probation period.

Benefits and Support

We value our employees and offer a supportive and engaging environment, comprehensive induction, inset and excellent continuous professional development training sessions, Teachers Pension scheme access to staff discounts, and other wellbeing benefits:

• An employee assistance programme
• Access to Private Doctors and Nurses 24/7 free of charge
• Daily staff breakfasts including fruits cereal and toast

Application Guidance

Please ensure that you explain clearly in your application how you meet the person specification.

Key Dates

Closing Date/ Shortlisting Date: Monday, 24th of November 2025 at 8am

Interview Date: Thursday, 4th December 2025

Start Date: January 2025 (depending on the compliance checks)

Contract Type: Permanent, Term Time Only

Pay Scale: Inner London Pay Scale 6, point 16 to 20 £36,423 to Point 20 £38,637 per annum pro rata for the full time

Actual Salary: £27,435 to £29,102 per annum

Hours of work: 31.25 hours per week (excluding 45 min breaks), 08:30 – 15:30. (Monday to Friday). Working 39 weeks in a year. Due to the college’s opening hours, we are unable to offer flexibility in the hours of work.

CV’s will not be accepted. No agencies, please.