Teaching Assistant

• G4_Teaching_Assistant_-_JD

Teaching Assistant

Salary:                                   Grade 4, SCP 13-16 - £25,186 - £25,989 FTE (Pay Award Pending)

Actual Salary:                       £19,283 - £19,898

Working hours:    32.5 per week – 38 weeks plus 5 Inset Days (working 39 weeks)

Contract type:                      Permanent

Start date:                            ASAP

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and young people with additional needs?

We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Teaching Assistant to join our supportive school community. Our school caters for children and young people aged 2 to 19, providing a nurturing, inclusive environment where every pupil is supported to achieve their individual potential.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and the wider school team to provide high-quality support to pupils with a range of primary needs, helping them to access learning, develop their independence and enjoy positive experiences at school.

You will:

• Provide one-to-one and small-group support to pupils, both in and outside of the classroom.
• Support pupils to access learning and participate fully in school life.
• Help develop pupils' confidence, independence, communication and social skills.
• Follow individual education and support plans, adapting activities to meet pupils' needs.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Work closely with teachers, therapists and other professionals to provide consistent support.
• Support pupils with their personal, social and emotional development where required.
• Promote positive behaviour and help create a calm, safe and welcoming learning environment.
• Contribute to the wider life of the school and work positively as part of a dedicated team.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Caring, patient and compassionate.
• Enthusiastic about supporting children and young people with additional needs.
• Able to build positive relationships with pupils of different ages and abilities.
• Resilient, adaptable and able to remain calm in challenging situations.
• A good communicator who can work effectively as part of a team.
• Committed to inclusion and ensuring every pupil has the opportunity to succeed.
• Willing to learn and develop their knowledge and skills.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Our pupils would like someone who is:

Funny, happy, caring, keeps us safe and helps us to learn!"

We value……. Community – Resilience – Wellbeing – Respect - Empowerment

At the Russett School we seek to prepare our learners for life through prioritising skills required to meet their full potential. Through our specialist curriculum, our children and young people are empowered through a strong emphasis on the development of individual communication strategies and life skills. Our Russett team provide enriching and safe environments, where our pupils are encouraged to develop independence, whilst promoting well-being for a happy and fulfilled future.

The Russett School is a specialist setting registered for pupils aged 2 to 19 years whose primary need is associated with having a Severe Learning Difficulty (also known as SLD) and/or Complex Learning Needs. We are also part of Shaw Education Trust. 

Our curriculum is bespoke. This means that it has been carefully designed specifically for learners who have SLD. It has been written to meet the varying needs of pupils who first and foremost have a severe impairment in relation to their cognitive function and or learning ability. 

The Russett School also supports pupils who may have further needs in addition to their severe learning difficulty. For example; some of our pupils have severe communication and interaction needs. 

Pupils at Russett undertake learning activities within classes in mixed ability groups of around 11 pupils with peers similar in age.

Class sizes are generally supported by 4 adults (one class teacher and three Teaching Assistants).

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Our values—opportunity, integrity, community, and equity—guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.

We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.

Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.

We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Make a life-changing difference in one of our special schools

Our special schools are inspiring, welcoming and truly life-changing places to work. Every day, our dedicated teams help children and young people with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities to discover their strengths, achieve their ambitions and live happy, fulfilling lives.

Our pupils include children and young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, complex medical needs, sensory impairments, moderate and severe learning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Every pupil is unique, and every achievement and milestone is recognised and celebrated.

By joining one of our special schools, you will become part of a warm, compassionate and highly skilled team, united by a shared belief in what every child and young person can achieve. You will work in a supportive environment where relationships matter, ideas are welcomed and every role makes an important contribution.

Whether you join us as a teacher, teaching assistant, healthcare professional or as part of our administration, facilities or operational teams, you will have the opportunity to develop y