THE ROLE

We are seeking to appoint a Teaching Assistant to work with students with special educational needs who has an awareness and understanding of the needs of young people. Previous experience is desirable, but not essential - an ability to assist young people at a critical time in their lives and to assist with progress is more important.

ST BIRINUS SCHOOL

We are hugely proud of our school community and St Birinus is very much a “good” school on the way to becoming “great”.  In February 2025, the school was judged as continuing as ‘Good’ with an ‘Outstanding’ judgement for Leadership and Management. Ofsted recognised that the school “has successfully established a strong culture of ‘care, courtesy and commitment’ among high expectations.  These are lived out by staff and pupils alike” in addition to the school having a “friendly and welcoming atmosphere” where “pupils respectful and courteous to others and well behaved in lessons”.  We are proud that they see that our boys are “very well prepared for the future and life in modern Britain”. 

Outcomes for our students (P8 +0.4 in October 2024) are in the top 5% of schools nationally for boys’ only progress and the compelling ethos of this school is literally written all over the walls.  We pride ourselves in creating a vibrant and visceral environment in which boys thrive and accrue the knowledge, skills, experience and character that will realise their potential and allow them to seize any opportunity, now or in the future.

The infinite goal - We aspire to be a national centre of excellence for all boys’ state education.

Employing great staff is key to the success of our school: the Headteacher is actively involved in every interview process.

We understand that valuing and developing our staff is the best way to release and realise their potential. In return, we seek staff who are passionate about working with young people, resilient, and with a truly growth mindset. If this is you, we look forward to hearing from you!

St Birinus School is a Family Friendly School, committed to supporting our staff so that they can carve out a professional and personal life that is fulfilling and balanced.  

Quotes and soundbites from SBS staff in the recent Stakeholder Surveys ... 

• "I love this place!"
• "Despite only having joined the school recently, I have found it to be a positive and supportive school, with a clear vision and values that students and staff understand"
• "St Birinus is the best managed school that I have ever worked in or been associated with"
• "I love working at St Birinus and intend to root myself here for the foreseeable future"

What SBS staff say that they value about their school ... 

• "Relationships with colleagues and the community feel"
• "A strong sense of community and pride" 
• "The positive influence we have on students and inclusion of all students no matter their need"
• "The strong leadership and vision from the Senior Leadership Team"
• "The focus on staff wellbeing" 

We are committed to continuous professional development and have wide-ranging training and development opportunities. For Early Careers Teachers this takes the form of a carefully designed mentoring programme. For experienced teachers, and those returning to teaching, there is a comprehensive CPD provision in place with a focus on department based development and collaboration.  For support staff we will train you in house and offer any suitable external training courses.

We are also mindful of the competing demands people face in their lives so are happy to consider part-time applications. 

Benefits of working with us:

• Loan of laptop and mouse for all teaching staff
• Employee centred and family friendly policies and practises
• Opportunity for flexible working arrangements to support with work life balance (wherever possible)
• Comfortable staffrooms with tea, coffee and workspaces 
• Cycle to work scheme and sheltered secure bicycle sheds

RIDGEWAY EDUCATION TRUST (RET)

As a member of Ridgeway Education Trust, St Birinus School works in very close partnership with Didcot Girls’ School (Ofsted Outstanding, November 2022) and share a 400 strong mixed Sixth Form which is based predominantly at St Birinus.

Ridgeway Education Trust (RET) is based in south Oxfordshire and currently comprises of two secondary, six primary schools and a SCITT, serving 4,400 pupils and their communities.  Guided by the core values of integrity, ambition and leading for legacy, we are committed to delivering excellence through high quality education with powerful collaboration at its heart.

Application process

To ensure we conduct a fair shortlisting process we use blind shortlisting whereby personal information (such as name, email address, gender & ethnicity) are not made available to the short-listing panel.

Please note that the school reserves the right to interview on receipt of applications, and to appoint prior to the deadline, so early application is recommended.

We encourage visits to our school in advance of applications; please do not hesitate to get in touch if you would like a conversation and/or tour of the school with the Headteacher, Mr William Manning by contacting Mrs Helen Cliff, PA to the Headteacher, via email hcliff@St-birinus.oxon.sch.uk or by calling 01235 814444. 

Ridgeway Education Trust is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff working in all its schools to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to satisfactory enhanced DBS, references and pre-employment safeguarding checks.  All Leadership roles will require a Section 128 check.  The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining a post. All cases are considered confidentially and according to the nature of the role and information disclosed.  

To view our Safeguarding policy, please visit our website: http://www.st-birinus-school.org.uk/1852/sbs-policies.  Please be aware that you will be required to bring your original degree certificate, proof of residence and photographic ID, as applicable, to interview and online searches may be made for shortlisted candidates, as part of due diligence checks.

St Birinus School is a Family Friendly School, committed to supporting our staff so that they can carve out a professional and personal life that is fulfilling and balanced. 

Our RET Staff Charter summarises the commitment we make to all staff who join and work at Ridgeway Education Trust.

We are committed to expressing our values of high quality learning, respectful relationships and an inclusive environment in the day to day experience of staff and students throughout the school.

St Birinus School is an equal opportunities employer.