One to One Teaching Assistant

Oak Grove College, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 1JX

8 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  14 October 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  6 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Working pattern: Full time: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 3.30pm
• Contract type: Fixed term - Temporary until April 2027 with strong likelihood of extension
• Hourly rate: £13.70 - £13.92 per hour

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for a dedicated 1:1 Teaching Assistant to work closely with a bright, bubbly and engaging student with complex medical needs. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is passionate about education and who wants to make a genuine difference to a young person's learning, confidence and independence.

The role will involve supporting the student's individual medical and personal care needs. You will receive high-quality guidance, training and ongoing support from the Special Schools Nursing Team, alongside support from our experienced staff team.

We are looking for an individual with some of the following skills, knowledge and experience:

• Able to build a positive, trusting relationship with a student and provide consistent 1:1 support.
• Able to use a wide variety of communication strategies to meet individual needs.
• Experience of, or willingness to learn about, providing personal care.
• Experience of supporting individuals with complex or additional needs.
• Able to engage, motivate and encourage students to participate fully in their education.
• Passionate about promoting independence and supporting young people to develop their skills and confidence.
• Able to recognise and celebrate individual strengths and achievements.
• Flexible and willing to work across the whole college as required.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to plan and prioritise effectively.
• Able to use initiative while also working effectively as part of a wider team.
• Calm, patient, positive and reliable, with a genuine commitment to supporting young people to achieve their potential.

What the school offers its staff

Oak Grove College is a community generic special school providing special education for 286 students with learning difficulties/disabilities from Year 7 to Year 14. We are part of the Thrive Federation of Schools which also includes Palatine Primary School, Herons Dale School and Cornfield School.

We are immensely proud of our college and our community. We are committed to providing the very best for young people while they are with us, helping them to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and aspiration to succeed throughout their lives. We have a staff team of about 180 people, and we believe in looking after everyone well. We know that our staff team make the college what it is today and are the key to a successful future.

Staff are well supported by the leadership team and are offered opportunities to progress. We know that each and every one of our staff have a pivotal role to play and we believe in supporting everyone to achieve their potential. We have been awarded the Gold School Mental Health award, and our staff wellbeing and mental health is paramount to the success of Oak Grove College. Oak Grove College is a rewarding place to work, and staff report high levels of job satisfaction.

We know that our staff work hard to do their very best each day for our students and we believe in looking after them well in return. We pay for an extensive health and welfare support service for all our staff which includes physiotherapy, counselling, mindfulness support, menopause support, chronic illness support, weight management and much, much more. We are also committed to creating a supportive and open culture having signed the ‘Charter for Employers Positive about Mental Health’ and are proud to support the mental wellbeing of all our staff.

Oak Grove College has convenient road and rail links with good public transport available. It is a 15-minute walk from Durrington-on-Sea train station, there is a bus stop just by the entrance, a large car park for those travelling by car and good pedestrian access for those on foot. West Sussex County Council staff can also obtain 15% staff discount on Southern Rail daily, weekly, monthly and annual tickets and are entitled to a range of other travel discounts and incentives too.

As part of our growth and commitment to providing exceptional educational experiences for all our students, we are excited to announce plans to open a new satellite site less than 2 miles from our existing campus. Candidates joining our team should be ready to embrace the unique opportunities the new location will offer and be prepared to work at both sites. This is a fantastic chance to be part of an innovative chapter in our school’s development allowing us to continue to make a positive impact on student’s lives across our community.

New employees joining Oak Grove College are guaranteed a warm welcome from the community. Our motto is that ‘Everyone matters, every day counts’ and we strongly believe that this should include our entire college community. We look forward to getting to know you better and helping you to play your part in providing the very best to our young people.

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.

Purpose of the Role

To work with our Teachers and the Special School Nursing team as part of a professional team to support teaching and learning whilst also ensuring complex medical needs are met.

Key Duties:

 Work closely with the class teacher and wider staff team to provide consistent, individualised 1:1 support to a student with complex medical needs, enabling them to access and participate fully in their education.

 Under the direction of the class teacher, support the delivery of planned learning activities, adapting support strategies and approaches to meet the student's individual learning, communication, physical and medical needs.

 Take an active role in the student's learning by engaging, encouraging and motivating them, promoting participation, confidence and progress across the curriculum.

 Support the student to develop independence and self-advocacy, providing the appropriate level of assistance while encouraging them to complete tasks and make choices for themselves wherever possible.

 Prepare, develop and maintain appropriate learning resources, aids, materials and equipment, including IT and specialist equipment, to support the student's access to learning.

 Work with the teacher to monitor, record and assess the student's progress, maintaining accurate and detailed records and providing regular feedback on their learning, engagement, achievements and areas for development.

 Provide appropriate feedback and encouragement to the student in relation to their attainment, progress and personal development, under the guidance of the teacher.

 Contribute to a positive, purposeful and inclusive learning environment, supporting the implementation of the school's behaviour, safeguarding and other relevant policies and procedures.

 Support the student's social and emotional wellbeing, recognising changes in presentation or behaviour and communicating concerns promptly to the appropriate member of staff.

 Develop a positive and trusting relationship with the student, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and acting as a consistent and reassuring presence throughout the school day.

 Work collaboratively with teachers, support staff, parents/carers and relevant external professionals to ensure that the student's educational, social, emotional, physical and medical needs are understood and appropriately supported.

 Work closely with the Special Schools Nursing Team and other healthcare professionals, following agreed care and medical plans and undertaking delegated health duties only following appropriate training and instruction.

 Support the student to safely access all aspects of the curriculum and wider school life, taking account of their medical needs and any reasonable adjustments required.

 Support the student with therapy, care or health programmes where these form part of their agreed individual plan, working closely with the relevant professionals.

 Attend to the student's personal care needs, which may include toileting, hygiene, dressing and eating, always promoting dignity, choice and independence.

 Provide physical support, including mobility assistance, lifting and hoisting where required, in accordance with appropriate training, risk assessments and individual care plans.

 Administer medication and undertake regular medical procedures only in accordance with agreed protocols, appropriate training and direction from qualified healthcare professionals.

 Undertake delegated health duties as required to enable the student to access their education safely and confidently, with appropriate training and ongoing support provided by the Special Schools Nursing Team.

 Support the student during swimming, physical activities and other curriculum activities, following relevant medical, physical and risk-management guidance.

 Escort and supervise the student on educational visits, trips and other activities outside the classroom, ensuring that appropriate educational, medical and care arrangements are in place.

 Support the student during break and lunchtime, facilitating social interaction, games and activities and encouraging them to participate as independently as possible.

 Advise and assist the student in the safe and effective use of specialist personal learning aids, communication systems, technology and other equipment.

 Contribute to the organisation and delivery of specific projects, activities and whole-school events, ensuring the student's inclusion and participation wherever possible.

 Promote inclusion and equal access to learning, ensuring that the student's medical needs do not unnecessarily limit their opportunities to participate in the wider life of the school.

 Maintain accurate, confidential and up-to-date records relating to the student's learning, progress, wellbeing and relevant care or medical support, in accordance with school procedures and data protection requirements.

 Communicate effectively with colleagues and share relevant information promptly to ensure continuity and consistency of support.

 Provide appropriate administrative and clerical support to the class teacher in relation to the student's learning and support.

 Work flexibly across the school as required, while maintaining the student's individual needs and continuity of support as a priority.

 Attend relevant training, professional development sessions, meetings and reviews to develop knowledge and skills appropriate to the student's educational, medical and personal needs.

 Maintain a clear understanding of and comply with all school policies, procedures, safeguarding requirements, risk assessments and relevant professional guidance.

 Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Headteacher or appropriate line manager that are consistent with the responsibilities of the role.

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 job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

One-to-One Teaching Assistant Candidate Information Pack October 2026.doc - 294 KB (opens in new tab)

About Oak Grove College

• Organisation type: Special school, ages 11 to 19
• Size: 274 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Oak Grove College website
• Email address: recruitment@oakgrovecollege.org.uk
• Phone number: 01903 708870
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/oak-grove-college

Oak Grove College is a generic special school providing education for students with complex special educational needs and disabilities from 11 to 19 years old.

Arranging a visit to Oak Grove College

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@oakgrovecollege.org.uk.

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