Dedicated Teaching Assistant

The Downs School, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 6AD

17 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  23 November 2026 at 8am

• Date listed

  6 November 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full time equivalent salary: £25,614.00 Annually (FTE) West Berkshire Council Salary Band C £25,614 FTE (to be pro-rated accordingly for term-time and hours worked). Monday-Friday 9:00 -15:15. Fixed Term, term-time only. Part-time may be considered. 1 December 2026 – 31 August 2027

Dedicated Teaching Assistant job summary

We are looking to recruit a talented, motivational, and inspiring individual to provide teachers and the SEN team with practical support for a fixed term contract. You will work either individually or with small groups of children to promote positive learning and behaviour.

A passion and interest in supporting all children in a school setting is essential. This is an immensely rewarding role in its own right but also provides good experience for anyone considering training as a teacher.

About the Role: As a successful candidate, you will:

• be organised, flexible and reliable, with the ability to work with students in a professional and appropriate way
• be well-motivated and keen to show their enthusiasm for the role
• introduce work to students, set by a subject specialist, and support the students with their learning in the absence of the classroom teacher
• issue (not setting) work, managing behaviour, responding to students' general queries and ensuring students are working to their full potential
• contribute to the development of the department as part of a dedicated team
• have a professional attitude that is open to innovative ways of working
• be flexible and adaptable when faced with challenges

In return, you’ll enjoy:

Caring Environment: Our positive ethos prioritises staff well-being and recognition.

• Empowerment: Work alongside ambitious, dedicated colleagues who are committed to developing the whole child.
• Exceptional Students: Engage with children who love being at school, exhibit exceptional behaviour and have a strong attitude towards their learning.
• Professional Environment: Join a stimulating and collaborative workplace in a school Ofsted labelled as ‘exceptional’ in October 2024
• Professional Growth: Access extraordinary professional development and support to enhance your skills.
• Flexible Work Options: We value work balance through the availability of flexible working, our ‘Time for you Tuesdays’, commuted INSETs and Employee Assistance Programme

About Us - The Downs School and Sixth Form is a successful, oversubscribed, and highly regarded secondary school located in the beautiful Downs area of West Berkshire. Praised in our recent Ofsted for the exceptional behaviour of our students, we are judged by ALPS to be red hot, reflecting our commitment to high-quality teaching, learning, and student outcomes.

Application Details - We encourage early applications, as we reserve the right to close this vacancy if sufficient applications are received. We welcome pre-arranged visits to the school. Please apply via My New Term and for more information, please contact recruitment@thedownsschool.org,

Closing date: 23 November 2026, 8am

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Downs School

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: Up to 1307 pupils
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: The Downs School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-downs-school-newbury

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