Teaching Assistant

Are you passionate about making a real difference in children’s lives? Do you have the patience, creativity, and resilience to support young learners with and without special educational needs to shine their brightest? Then our Governing Body wants YOU to join our vibrant, caring school community!

At John Ruskin School, we believe every child as a voice, every child has potential, and every child matters. We’re on the lookout for a dynamic, compassionate, and energetic Teaching Assistant who’s ready to roll up their sleeves and make learning accessible and fun.

Your Role

Under supervision, you will undertake a range of varied tasks:

• Work within the classroom supporting whole-class teaching
• Work one-to-one or in small groups, often supporting children with additional needs (ASD, ADHD, speech and language, SEMH, or physical needs)
• Provide personalised interventions
• Collaborate closely with our passionate teachers, SENCO, Learning Support Manager, and external specialists
• Provide feedback on pupil progress
• Keep records and attend review meetings
• Celebrate every small win and be part of every big step forward

What We’re Looking For

• Experience supporting children with SEN (either in a school or similar setting)
• A calm, flexible and proactive approach
• Someone who is motivated, organised and committed, with high expectations for all pupils
• A true team player with a big heart and a sense of humour
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues
• Provision of high-quality care in a safe environment
• A sound understanding of the importance of safeguarding

What We Offer

• A welcoming, inclusive, and forward-thinking school community
• Ongoing professional development and opportunities to grow in your career
• Supportive leadership that values your ideas and wellbeing
• The chance to change lives, one day at a time
• Warm colleagues, curious students, and a place where every day is different and every effort counts

Qualifications

An NVQ Level 3 qualification for Teaching Assistants or equivalent or higher, such as satisfactory completion of a National Teaching Assistant apprenticeship, is required, as is recent experience of working in a school setting.

Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract starting September 2025.

Hours: 30 hours a week, 38 weeks a year, plus three days of INSET.

Please note, for the right candidate, we could consider an appointment at a Senior Teaching Assistant level (Scale Point 14) with commensurate responsibilities that would be discussed at interview. If this opportunity is of interest to you, please make this clear on your application form.

To discuss the role, please do not hesitate to contact Peter Blackburn, Head Teacher, via admin@jrs.org.uk or 015394 41306.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website or apply through the Tes apply button.

Closing date: Friday 4 July 2025.

John Ruskin School is committed to safeguarding and the promotion of wellbeing for all children. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and all relevant pre-recruitment checks.