SEND Teaching Assistant Monday to Friday 8.30am to 3.15pm

Horspath Primay School. OX33 1RY

Small School, Big Heart

At Horspath, we are a small village primary school with a deeply rooted family feel. Our mixed-age classes mean our children grow up together, and our staff truly know every single individual in their care.

What our team says:

"Michelle (School Business Manager) 'What I love about Horspath is that we aren't just a staff; we are a community. When a child with intense needs has a breakthrough moment—or when a colleague is having a busy day—we step in and celebrate or support each other immediately.'"

Why This Role Matters

You aren't just an extra pair of hands in the classroom; you are a vital scaffold for children who need tailored support to navigate their learning and emotions. In our mixed-age classes, you will be the calm, consistent presence that helps a child build confidence, discover their gifts, and shine as a light in our school community.

What You’ll Bring

• A Nurturing Mindset: Experience or a deep desire to build close, trust-filled relationships with children who have intense or complex SEND needs.

• Collaborative Spirit: A proactive attitude, ready to collaborate across different year groups and abilities to see children succeed.

• Resilience & Empathy: The ability to stay calm in challenging moments, putting aside fear and persevering to keep our classroom a safe environment.

• Values-Driven: A commitment to model our school values of Responsibility, Courage, Kindness, and Justice.

The "Why Us" Difference

• A True Community: We have great staff retention because people love working here—our close-knit team naturally looks out for one another and steps in whenever needed.

• A Vibrant Environment: For a small school, we are bursting with life—boasting a thriving art club, drama club, and vibrant music tuition.

• Professional Trust: We value your insights. You will work hand-in-hand with class teachers to evaluate and adapt activities in the moment, giving you true professional agency in your role.

The RLT Connection

• Education has the power to change lives, communities and society for the better. At RLT we believe that we can achieve more for our pupils, trainees, staff and communities by working together rather than alone. Schools in RLT are united by a common belief in the benefits of working together, and by our commitment to shared principles.

  
  

  OUR VISION is for our schools and SCITT to improve rapidly, continuously and sustainably: to be better faster together.

  OUR ‘WHY?’ is that children and young people ‘only get one go’ in school and therefore as part of RLT we aim to ensure the best possible ‘go’ for our pupils.

  OUR ‘HOW?’ is through the highest support and challenge for our schools and each other, underpinned by our principles.

  
  

  Our employees benefit from a wide variety of support including extensive  continuing professional learning and development opportunities, wellbeing and staff networks and access to Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (TPS and LGPS) for all staff. For more information on what it is like to work for the Trust, and the benefits you could access, please see our “Working in RLT” guide.

  This role includes regulated activity relevant to children. 

  
  

  The school reserves the right to consider and interview candidates ahead of the closing date if appropriate. An offer may be made to an exceptional candidate in this instance. 

  If you would like to have a confidential conversation with the headteacher, about the role, prior to application, then please email office@horspathschool.org or telephone 01865 872702.

  The River Learning Trust and Horspath School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism.   The Trust is required to conduct a variety of checks and online searches about you as part of their recruitment process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. It is an offence to apply for certain roles within schools if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

  
  

  For all RLT Safer Recruitment Documentation candidates should click on the following link RLT Safer Recruitment Documents for Candidates. Please see our website for up to date policies including our Child Protection and Behaviour Policies. 

  This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. For further guidance for applicants click on this link List of offences that are not filtered