Teaching Assistant - The Royal Grammar School

Buckinghamshire Council; England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A local education authority in England seeks a dedicated Support Assistant to assist students with Special Educational Needs. This role involves liaising with teachers, supervising private study sessions, and providing emotional support to students. Ideal candidates will possess excellent communication skills and experience with young people, especially those with SEND. The department fosters a cheerful and supportive atmosphere, essential for thriving in this educational role.

Benefits

Excellent pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Free membership of the School’s Fitness Suite

Free use of the swimming pool

Tax efficient purchases of gadgets through the tech scheme

Staff common room with free tea & coffee

On site hot and cold food

Car parking onsite

Qualifications

• A high level of spoken and written English is essential.
• Experience of working with young people, especially those with special educational needs is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support students with SEND in accessing school life.
• Liaise with teachers and support staff to provide appropriate assistance.
• Supervise private study periods and assist independent learning.
• Build rapport with students to provide emotional support.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of student progress.

Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to handle information with confidentiality

Proactive and flexible approach

Experience with young people with SEND

Ability in using Google and Edgen

Education

Enhanced DBS required

Job description

To support the SENCO and SEN manager to support students with SEND in accessing RGS school life by:

• attending lessons to support the teacher as required;
• liaising with the subject teachers in order to provide the most appropriate support and communicating regularly with Heads of Year, Subject leaders and other relevant members of staff, eg Matron;
• supervising private study periods and supporting with independent learning;
• building a rapport with the students and providing social and emotional support when needed;
• arranging 1:1 meetings in order to pick up and resolve any issues and to help with organisation/homework etc;
• supervising and invigilating tests/exams and keeping appropriate records;
• administering assessment testing, eg. DASH, typing tests, SNAP;
• getting involved in nurture groups or work with EBSNA students;
• assisting the SENCo and SEND Manager in maintaining regular dialogue with parents through emails, phone calls and meetings;
• writing and updating Pupil Passports for students to whom they are Key Worker;
• attending Annual Reviews and supporting the process where needed;
• communicating as necessary with specialist teachers and attending sessions as appropriate in order to reinforce suggested strategies, eg. SALT programme or social stories;
• keeping accurate and confidential records of students;
• accompanying trips/visits;
• supervising students during break and lunchtimes on rota system;
• participate in training in order to be aware of current practices;
• ensuring students with SEND are able to access all the support on offer at the school - support sessions, careers advice, clubs and societies;
• undertaking any other reasonable duties or tasks as requested by the SENCo or SEN manager; and
• undertaking any duties as reasonably requested by the Headmaster.

The Special Educational Needs department is a busy, energetic, well‑run and happy department with all who work therein, dedicated to providing the very best support possible to our students. We are looking for someone who is firstly positive, with a flexible, “can do” attitude and the ability to work, at times, under pressure. A strong counter‑balance to the hard work carried out within the SEN department is its cheerful, supportive and friendly atmosphere. The applicant should be a team player, with an optimistic, cheerful outlook., A high level of spoken and written English;
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
Ability to work as part of a team but also to have the initiative to work independently;
Experience of working with young people, especially those with SEND, would be desirable;
Ability in using Google, Edgen, etc;
Proactive and flexible approach;
Ability to handle information with confidentiality;
Enhanced DBS required;
Safeguarding: Strict safeguarding rules must be adhered to and training attended as required;
Patience and a good sense of humour.

RGS is an exceptional place. We have a vision to be seen as world class in offering those most naturally able the best that a state funded school can offer. We have a proud tradition, dating back to the 13th Century of educating young men, and we are excited about becoming co‑educational in the Sixth Form from September 2025.

You will very much enjoy working with the students here who are courteous, committed, caring and entertaining.

Support staff at RGS provide a vital role in ensuring that the School not only runs smoothly but continues to develop. Whether joining one of the administration teams, being a technician, a support assistant, gap student, and working on the finances or around the extensive school estate, RGS welcomes colleagues from all backgrounds to bring an added dimension to our staff body. A range of roles exists from part time, term time only to full time and support staff have excellent opportunities to contribute towards school life. Although we do not ask our support staff to undertake teaching roles, we warmly encourage participation in school trips and co‑cultural activities.

Support staff are paid on the RGS scales, which are closely related to the locally negotiated Buckinghamshire Council pay range. For the benefit of support staff, the School participates in the Local Government Pension Scheme. We are a mutually supportive team and endeavour to ensure that all staff have a healthy work / life balance.

Benefits

• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free membership of the School’s Fitness Suite
• Free use of the swimming pool
• Tax efficient purchases of gadgets through the tech scheme
• Staff common room with free tea & coffee
• On site hot and cold food
• Social functions/concerts/plays etc
• Car parking onsite
• Accommodation (limited)
• Long service awards

Wellbeing

• Staff padel
• Staff football
• Staff yoga
• Staff badminton
• Staff tennis
• Staff touch rugby
• Christmas party
• Secret Santa
• Secret buddy
• Wellbeing group meetings
• Common Room cake day
• Wellbeing week
• End of term get‑togethers
• Staff birthday cake breaks

Website: www.rgshw.com