Teaching Assistant

Due to the growth of River Academy, we are looking to appoint a Teaching Assistant who will be accountable for supporting students with individual learning, SEND and behavioural needs to engage in learning, develop independence and make progress in line with their individual needs and targets. The role delivers and supports targeted interventions across areas including Cognition and Learning, Communication and Interaction, and Social, Emotional and Mental Health.

The postholder works with students on a 1:1 basis and in small groups, supports assessment and intervention tracking, and contributes to a positive, inclusive and safe school environment.

You will join a strong and committed school team, contributing to the delivery of clear routines and the setting of expectations in line with the River Way.

River Academy has a strong focus on calm, purposeful learning environments. Classrooms are quiet, corridors are calm, and systems are designed to reduce workload so teachers can focus on their teaching craft. Tutor time is carefully structured and includes reading, assemblies and settling activities to support learning throughout the day. Students are expected to demonstrate good manners, strong oracy skills, and high standards of personal and academic presentation. Reflecting this focus on consistency and high expectations, River Academy is ranked in the highest decile across all DfE attendance measures, and Sparx homework completion rates consistently exceed 98%.

The role supports a safe, well-managed and responsive school environment through oversight of visitor and contractor processes, first aid provision, the Single Central Record, safer recruitment administration, data protection processes and local compliance activity.

As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure everyone can perform at their best when applying to work with us. If you need any support with your application or adjustments during the selection process, please contact our People Team by emailing [email removed] or calling [phone removed].

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people, report safeguarding concerns in line with Trust procedures, and comply with Trust policies including safeguarding, child protection, behaviour, GDPR, health and safety and acceptable use.
• Deliver targeted interventions to support students with SEND or additional learning needs, as directed by the SENCO or SEND Manager.
• Support individual students and small groups to understand instructions, engage in learning activities and develop confidence, resilience and independence.
• Lead or support small intervention groups, including preparing resources, organising materials and supporting intervention work involving external professionals.
• Support students during homework clubs, subject support sessions, examinations or assessments where directed.
• Use Provision Map and online programmes to log, track and review interventions, record meetings and check-ins, administer testing and support assessment processes.
• Work with the SEN Team to complete Student Voice questionnaires, oversee student assessment and monitor the impact of targeted interventions.
• Establish positive and productive relationships with students, model high expectations of behaviour, reinforce the school behaviour policy and encourage respectful, cooperative and courteous behaviour.
• Lead 1:1 check-ins with students where directed and support orderly transitions through duty rotas or supervision activities.
• Work constructively with the SENCO, SEND Manager, SEN Team, teachers, colleagues, parents, carers and external partners to support appropriate strategies and a positive, inclusive and respectful learning environment.
• Contribute to the wider life and safe, efficient running of the school day, including extra-curricular activities where appropriate and duties that reasonably fall within the scope of the role.

Further details of responsibilities and requirements can be found in the Job Description and Person Specification.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Holds an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification in English and mathematics.
• Can use questioning, including open-ended questioning, to support student understanding, engagement and participation in learning.
• Can observe, assess and recognise student progress and development, and support students to work towards agreed tasks and learning activities within set timescales.
• Understands the role of a teaching assistant in supporting students with SEND, additional learning needs and barriers to learning through targeted support and intervention.
• Communicates clearly and professionally, listens effectively and responds sensitively to students’ needs.
• Builds positive and professional relationships with students, colleagues, parents, carers and external partners.
• Organises own work effectively, follows guidance and direction from the SENCO or SEND Manager, and uses initiative appropriately within the scope of the role.
• Understands positive behaviour management approaches and can support a safe, inclusive and productive learning environment.
• Has a caring and positive attitude towards students, with sensitivity to individual needs and a commitment to supporting improved outcomes.
• Can use online systems or programmes to support assessment, intervention tracking or student support records.
• Works effectively as part of a team and independently when required, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Has a calm, adaptable, responsible and reliable approach, including when working under pressure.
• Is committed to safeguarding, equality, professional development, training, appraisal processes and the values, ethos and expectations of Maiden Erlegh Trust.

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 750 staff and 4,500 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust by clicking here to visit our website.

About the School

River Academy is a purpose-built secondary school serving the growing need for school places in the Reading area. Located on Richfield Avenue, the site includes specialist teaching facilities across the curriculum, including a hall, activity studio, learning resource centre, drama studio and sports studio. Classrooms are fully equipped with interactive screens and visualisers.

The school has high expectations for all students, with a clear focus on academic excellence and participation. When fully open, River Academy will serve students of all abilities and backgrounds, alongside an additional resource base for students with moderate learning difficulties.

The school also offers a wide range of extra-curricular opportuni