Teaching Assistant
Maiden Erlegh School, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 7HS8 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
30 September 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
17 September 2026
Job details
Job role
- Pastoral, health and welfare
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £18,660.00 Annually (Actual) Grade 4 SCP 7-11. Working 30 hours per week . Term Time only plus 2 INSET days FTE £27,274
Teaching Assistant job summary
Working closely with teachers, you will support individual students and small groups to access the curriculum, engage positively in learning and develop greater confidence and independence. You will respond to individual learning, SEND and behavioural needs, using agreed strategies and resources to help students participate fully and make progress.
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 hr@maidenerleghtrust.org or calling 0118 929 6020.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with teachers to understand lesson objectives, planned activities and individual student support needs.
- Support individual students and small groups to understand instructions, access learning activities and develop independent learning skills.
- Check students’ understanding and provide appropriate support, including the use of visual and verbal prompts where required.
- Encourage students to participate in lessons, develop their thinking skills and take pride in their work.
- Provide constructive feedback to students and share observations with teachers to support assessment and future planning.
- Support positive behaviour and classroom routines, helping to maintain a safe, purposeful and respectful learning environment.
- Support students with SEND or additional learning needs through agreed strategies and targeted interventions.
- Help students develop confidence, resilience and independence in their learning.
- Prepare and organise learning resources and support small intervention groups where directed.
- Work collaboratively with teachers, SEND colleagues and other colleagues to promote an inclusive learning environment.
The Ideal Candidate
You will have an NVQ Level 2 / CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning or equivalent, together with an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification in English and mathematics.
You will also be able to demonstrate:
- Good questioning, observation and assessment skills.
- An understanding of how to support students with learning activities and encourage independence.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to listen carefully and respond sensitively to individual student needs.
- An understanding of positive behaviour management approaches.
- Awareness of the needs of students with special educational needs.
- A caring, positive and adaptable approach.
- The ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently when required.
- A commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding and ongoing professional development.
Maiden Erlegh School (MES)
Maiden Erlegh School is a highly successful comprehensive school for students aged 11-18, located in Lower Earley, near Reading. Relationships between students and staff are extremely positive, and students are keen, curious, respectful and ambitious.
Academic outcomes continue to improve year on year, with the school placing in the top 50 schools nationally for Progress 8, alongside a thriving sixth form.
Staff are dedicated professionals who go the extra mile to support students to achieve their best. The school offers strong professional development opportunities and a warm, supportive welcome to new colleagues.
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 800 staff and 5000 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.
Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust
Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including:
Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service
ME Day - One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event
Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities
Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles
Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points
Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)
Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes
Mental Health First Aid Support
Recognition and Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET
Employee Referral Scheme
Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.
Additional Information
If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.
Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Maiden Erlegh School
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 1841 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- Maiden Erlegh School website
Maiden Erlegh School is an Outstanding 11-19 secondary school in Wokingham, Berkshire and a part of Maiden Erlegh Trust.
School location
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