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 (SEN) to shine their brightest? If so, we would like you to join our vibrant and caring school community.

At John Ruskin School, we believe every child has 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 make learning accessible. The role involves supporting pupils across Years 7–11 throughout the school.

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 teachers, Learning Support Manager, and SENCO

• Provide feedback on pupil progress

• Keep records and attend review meetings

Your experience

• Experience of supporting children with SEN (either in a school or similar setting)

• Calm, flexible and proactive

• Motivated, organised and committed, with high expectations for all students

• 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

Qualifications

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

Contract: Permanent, part-time, 30 hours per week during term time (38 weeks) plus one week of INSETs.

Salary: Grade 5, Scale Point 6 – £26,847 per annum (£16,281.17 pro rata). For experienced candidates: Grade 7, Scale Point 14 – £30,515 per annum (£18,505.60 pro rata) may be considered.

Salary is spread evenly across the year and includes annual leave and bank holidays, which are taken during school closure periods. Annual leave entitlement increases with continuous service.

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

More information can be downloaded from the 'Attached documents' section below.

To apply, please visit our website via the 'Apply' button.

Closing date: Tuesday, 1 December 2026.

Start date: Monday, 25 January 2027.

John Ruskin School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory completion of safeguarding checks. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds.