As a Teaching Assistant at Shelley College, you will play a key role in supporting the learning, progress and wellbeing of students—particularly those with Special Educational Needs. Working as part of the Student Support Team, you will provide in‑class assistance, help deliver targeted interventions, and contribute to creating an inclusive, supportive learning environment where every student can achieve their Personal Best.

You will work closely with teachers and the SENCO to monitor student progress, adapt support to individual needs, and help ensure students can access the curriculum effectively. The role also involves supporting educational visits, contributing to support plans, promoting positive behaviour, and helping students develop independence and confidence. At times, you may provide personal care and assist with intimate care needs in line with school guidance.

 This is a varied and rewarding role that requires teamwork, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to helping young people thrive both academically and personally.

The Ideal Candidate will:

• Have strong literacy and numeracy skills (GCSE A–C or equivalent)
• Bring experience working with children or young people
• Communicate clearly and build positive relationships
• Demonstrate confident behaviour‑management skills
• Work collaboratively and proactively across teams
• Show commitment to safeguarding and student wellbeing

Overall Purpose of the role:

To work as part of the Student Support Team to support the learning, progress and welfare of SEN and other identified students to help them achieve their Personal Best.  The role is to work under the direction of teaching staff and SENCO to provide support for students in lessons and occasionally for group intervention.  

Safeguarding Requirement:

This post requires the post holder to work in settings with children and young adults. Any employment offer is therefore subject to the results of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). People who may have contact with younger children (i.e. primary school age) are also required to complete a declaration about family or other members of their household.

Applicants MUST complete the online application form through MyNewTerm to be considered, will be required to provide evidence of identity and qualifications and offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references. For applicants who work or have recently worked in a school, one of the references must be from the Head. 

Key outputs:

1. Provide skilled delivery and support which increases student independence under the direction of the teacher across the whole curriculum.
2. To work under the guidance of the teacher and SENCO to monitor students’ learning.  Ensuring the progress is clearly recorded in the relevant systems and relates to the learning objectives/goals for students.
3. To participate in and assist in supervision of educational visits, in conjunction with the teacher/line manager
4. To attend and contribute to Student Support Team meetings as required.
5. Lead activities outside of lesson times (or supervise groups of students at lunchtimes, break times or after school, to ensure such students are safe and are participating in valuable activities to build the skills.
6. Undertake varied roles and responsibilities (e.g. supporting the class whilst the teacher works with a specific group etc.) within the classroom under the direction of the teacher; always being integral to accelerating and measuring student progress.
7. To build strong working relationships with the Student Support Team and teachers.
8. Actively encourage the inclusion of all students to participate in the life and activities of the school and access the national curriculum to the best of their ability.
9. Liaise with teachers, pastoral and Student Support Team staff to help the teacher ensure the needs of SEN students are met fully.
10. Support the reviewing of IEPs/Support Plans/EHC Plans frequently with parents, students and teachers, agreeing and communicating new targets as necessary.
11. As required, to deal with the personal care and comfort and necessary minor medical treatments of students, i.e. toileting and intimate care issues (as per school guidance and direction).
12. Maintain regular, positive contact with staff, students and parents involved in Student Support
13. Under the guidance of teachers and in consultation with SENCO provide one to one support to students or working with groups of students on pre-planned activities, to reinforce the teachers approach and to support the learning to maximise student progress and achievements.
14. Proactive liaison teachers, SENCO and teachers, to help the students make rapid progress.
15. Complete reports in relation to student progress and assist in the preparation of Support Plan, IEP’s, and EHC Plans as required.
16. Seek feedback about own performance and the quality of support offered.
17. To provide cover for before, break, lunch and after school as directed by line manager, ensuring the post holder actively upholds and promotes the philosophies of the school.
18. As part of your wider duties and responsibilities you are required to promote and actively support the College’s responsibilities towards Safeguarding.  Safeguarding is about keeping people safe and protecting people from harm, neglect, abuse and injury.  It is about creating safe places, being vigilant and doing something about any concerns you might have.

Expertise in role required:

Essential

• Be able to demonstrate levels of numeracy and literacy to GSCE [A-C]
• Is willing to work flexibly within scope of overall hours, e.g. evening meetings.
• Experience of working with children/young people
• Ability to engage and influence others
• Experience of working across departments and with external organisations
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent behaviour management skills
• Commitment to the safeguarding of young people
• Ability to monitor and evaluate impact of interventions and strategies
• Ability to deal with the personal care and comfort, and necessary treatments with students, i.e. toileting and intimate care issues
• Ability to assist the teacher in planning class activities

Other (physical, mobility, local conditions)

• Is willing to work flexibly within scope of overall hours, e.g. evening meeting

Desirable

• NVQ 3  for Teaching Assistants or equivalent qualifications or experience
• Experience of working with children/young people in a school
• Experience of working with children who have SEN / EAL
• Ability to use ICT to support learning

Expertise in Role - After initial development - Level 2

• Ability to deal with students who require physical restraint and interventions, using such methods as Team Teach, under the direction of the Principal
• Ability to assess individual students core skills and maintain appropriate records
• Working knowledge or understanding of relevant policies and codes of practice.

In order to be considered for interview, you must fully complete the online application form  through MyNewTerm website (https://mynewterm.com/) and demonstrate your ability to meet the requirements of the job by giving clear, concise examples of how you meet each criterion. Any applications that do not demonstrate how your abilities, skills and experience meet the requirements of the role or any applications that have incomplete sections, unanswered questions or ‘please see CV’ will not be taken through to the shortlisting stage.

Please contact the team at Shelley College at shelley.recruitment@sharemat.co.uk if you have any questions with regard to this vacancy or if you need any support in making an application.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure, and a 'prohibition from teaching' check will be completed for all applicants.

We are committed to Equal Opportunities and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and characteristics.