SEN Teaching Assistant

The Propeller Academy Trust is committed to creating a diverse workforce. We’ll consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, age, disability, marriage, or civil partnership.

Job details

Location: Bishopswood School, Grove Road, Sonning Common, Oxon, RG7 4RH (working across Primary and Secondary Sites)

Salary: Grade 6, point 8-13. Hourly rate £13.47-£14.60. Actual salary £17,670.24-£19,146.16, plus an annual allowance of up to £1,500 based on 30 hours per week (pro rata)

Hours: Up to 30 hours a week, to be worked from Monday to Friday between 9am-3.30pm. 38 working weeks plus 5.6 weeks paid holidayper annum.

Contract type: Full time (Part time hours are available). Permanent

Reporting to: Headteacher

Responsible for: N/A

Start date: Jan 25

Main purpose

Would you like to join our happy and caring school where teaching and therapies combine to support the development of each child? We are looking for enthusiastic, inspirational, and creative teaching assistants to join our team.

Bishopswood is a special school in South Oxfordshire (Berkshire border) that provides specialist education for children aged 2—16 years with severe (SLD) or profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and complex needs, including those children with ASD. Holding an inclusive ethos, Bishopswood endeavours to provide specialist provision alongside its co-located mainstream partners across two sites.

• Primary Provision - Sonning Common Primary School, Sonning Common
• Secondary Provision – Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge School, Sonning Common

Bishopswood benefits from strong leadership at both school and governance level with a clear strategic plan for improvement in place. At the Propeller Academy Trust, our guiding principle is to be a Trust providing quality educational offerings alongside excellent facilities, whilst maximising each school's potential. The vision is for every school in the Trust to be a centre of excellence for education, building a collaborative ethos and maximising opportunities for staff and young people.

We would like to hear from you if

• You have good numeracy, literacy, and ICT skills (GCSE Level 4 or equivalent in English and Math’s is desirable)
• You have the ability to work with a range of children and young people with additional and complex needs
• You are a team player who can build good working relationships with colleagues
• You are flexible, enthusiastic, and resilient, with a good sense of humour
• You are committed to ongoing personal development
• You have high aspirations in teaching and learning for all children and young people

What can we offer you

• The opportunity to work with a progressive and forward-thinking multi-academy trust, where you are making a difference to the lives of young people.
• Opportunities for development and career progression
• Extensive induction programme and ongoing CPD and training
• A range of staff benefits including one wellbeing day per term (after a qualifying period, pro rata for part time employees), access to an Employee Assistance Programme and a workplace pension scheme (LGPS)
• Free eye test for DSE users
• Free flu vaccinations
• Wellbeing days (3 per year, pro rata for part time staff)
• Free tea and coffee
• Refer a friend bonus (up to £500)
• A positive and friendly working environment

How to Apply

For further details, and to download an application form, please visit https://www.bishopswoodschool.co.uk. Or to apply please visit https://thepropelleracademytrust.face-ed.co.uk/vacancies. Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

Visits to the school are welcome by arrangement.

Application Timeline

Applications will be considered on receipt and interviews arranged accordingly.

Please note, the school reserves the right to close adverts if a sufficient response is received. Early applications are therefore advised.

If you have not received communication from the school inviting you for an interview within ten working days of the closing date of the post, you can assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion. We thank you for your interest in the school and encourage you to apply for suitable vacancies in the future.

The Propeller Academy Trust and its member schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people according to child protection and safeguarding guidelines. We expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.

This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with children or vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All post holders are subject to the necessary pre-employment check, including a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check, including a Child/Adult’s Barred List check (where applicable to the role in question).