Federation of Cherry Oak School and Victoria School
Based at:  Cherry Oak School, 60 Frederick Road, B29 6PB

Level 3 Teaching Assistant -
32.5 Hours per week – Term Time Only – Permanent
(Working Pattern - Monday - Friday)

Other working patterns may be considered

Salary Range: £23542 - £28106 Actual Salary Inc SEN Allowance of £1507 FTE

Start date: 1^st September 2026

Are you ready to be the highlight of someone’s day?  To be the person who unlocks a child’s potential when the rest of the world sees a closed door?

Cherry Oak School for pupils with cognition and communication difficulties and Autism is a vibrant, high energy community where “standard” doesn’t exist and “extraordinary” is our baseline.  We aren’t just looking for support staff, we are looking for promoters of confidence, champions of communication and specialists in the art of the possible.

Why Cherry Oak?

 Working here isn’t just a job – it’s an adventure in empathy and innovation.  Our pupils are diverse, spirited and face complex challenges, but they also possess incredible strengths.

As part of our team, you won’t just be sitting in a classroom: you’ll be:

·         Translating the Unspoken: Using a sensory and trauma informed approach, personalised communication strategies, and creative tech to give every child a voice.

·         Celebrating the “Firsts”: Experiencing the unmatched rush of a child making eye contact, sharing a resource, or mastering a new skill for the very first time.

·         Joining a Community: Working alongside a fierce, supportive team of experts who have your back, share your laughs, and celebrate every victory-no matter how small.

Are You the Missing Piece?

We are seeking to appoint a grade B (previously known as a level 3) Teaching Assistant

We don’t just hire for qualifications; we hire for heart, humour and resilience.  If you are patient, proactive and believe that every child deserves a bespoke education that fits them perfectly, we want to meet you.

“At Cherry Oak, we don’t just teach.  We empower.  We don’t just care.  We advocate.  Come and see how much of a difference a single day can make.”

Ready to start your most rewarding chapter yet?  Your Journey at Cherry Oak begins here.

Successful candidates will need to demonstrate:

·         A desire to work with pupils on the autistic spectrum.

·         A willingness to learn more about Autism and other diagnosed Special Educational Needs.

·         The ability to contribute, follow and implement key pieces of information relating to pupils, such as Relational Support Plans, Sensory Differences Profiles, Individual Pupil Risk Assessments, Pupil Passports.

·         With training, be willing to support pupils with a trauma informed approach.

·         How they can work flexibly to meet the needs of the school

·         Their ability to work using own initiative, and work effectively as part of a team.

·         How they communicate clearly and effectively with pupils and colleagues.

·         The desire to take ownership of tasks.

·         Be willing to undergo training to become a paediatric first aid

·         You must be confident in supporting the learning of small groups of students working

·         With training, can deliver Read, Write, Inc. phonics and writing to a small group

·         A recognised Level 3 Teaching Assistant Qualification AND GCSE Maths and English at Level 4 or above or recognised equivalent qualifications.

·         A commitment to supporting children and young people with Special Needs.

·         Be committed to safeguarding our pupils

We can offer you:

·         Opportunities to progress in your professional and career development. This includes supporting development to other roles within school.

·         Specialist coaching and training you will need to fulfill the role.

·         Access to support services such as mental health and wellbeing.

·         Being part of a supportive team of individuals.

Closing Date for Applications: Tuesday 2^nd June 2026 at 9.00 am

Interview Date: Thursday 18^th June 2026

Visits to the school are encouraged for applications – Please Contact Kirsty McWilliam 0121 464 2037

Safeguarding

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to all necessary pre-employment checks including enhanced DBS; Childcare Disqualification (where applicable); qualifications (where applicable); medical fitness; identity and right to work.

References

All applicants will be required to provide 2 suitable references

Short-Listed Candidates

An online search will also be carried out as part of due diligence on all shortlisted candidates.

Terms and Conditions

Birmingham City Council is a Living Wage Employer

Rehabilitation of Offenders

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975,2013 and 2002. 

Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent conviction and cautions are ‘protected’; so they do not need to be disclosed to employers; and if they are disclose , employers cannot take them into account.

Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

The post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016). Therefore, the ability to speak fluent English is an essential requirement for this role.