Teaching Assistant
Oak Grove College, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 1JX10 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
16 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 currently recruiting for additional Teaching Assistants following the expansion of the number of our classes from September 2026. Teaching Assistants form an important part of our staff team, working together to support pupils with their learning.
We are looking for individuals with some of the following skills, knowledge and experience:
- able to employ a wide variety of communication strategies
- experienced in providing personal care
- experienced in supporting people with mental health issues
- experienced in supporting people with social and emotional barriers to learning
- able to engage and motivate students
- flexibility to work across the whole college as required
- excellent organisational skills
- able to use initiative and work effectively in a team
A programme of support and training will be offered.
Applicants who are invited to interview will also be observed working with students.
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
Purpose of the Role
To work with Teachers as part of a professional team to support teaching and learning.
Providing learning support to students who need particular help to overcome barriers to learning. Students may have a range of moderate, severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties and/or behaviour, social, communication, sensory or physical difficulties.
The post holder will provide support to the College in a range of duties.
Key Duties:
- Take part in developing and maintaining resources to assist in teaching.
- Under the direction of class teachers, following agreed lesson plans, assist with the teaching and learning of individuals/ groups of pupils, using support strategies appropriate to the needs of pupils, providing feedback and liaising with colleagues over problems.
- Prepare, develop, maintain and deploy appropriate learning aids, materials and equipment, including IT, to assist in teaching under the direction of the Teacher.
- Support the teacher in the monitoring, recording and assessment of pupil progress, arranging and contributing to specialist assessments as required. Ensure there are detailed and reliable records of individual’s progress. Assist teachers/line managers in the evaluation and revision of lessons and work programmes for individuals and groups of pupils.
- Provide feedback to pupils in relation to attainment and progress under the guidance of the teacher.
- Contribute to the development of a purposeful working atmosphere and implement and monitor the school’s behaviour and any related policies and procedures. Administer and invigilate tests and examinations as directed.
- Support pupils in social and emotional well-being, reporting problems to the teacher as appropriate.
- Co-ordinate, initiate and develop liaison with parents, carers and outside agencies, ensuring effective communication throughout.
- Work collaboratively with other agencies and professionals, as necessary, including educational psychologists, health professionals, and education welfare officers, to meet the personal and educational needs of individual pupils.
- Support specific projects or activities as well as whole school events as required.
- Understand and support independent learning and inclusion of all pupils.
- Work with pupils on therapy or care programmes.
- Attend to pupils’ personal needs including toileting, hygiene, dressing and eating as well as help with social, welfare and health matters, reporting problems to the appropriate person. Physically assist pupils in activities including lifting/hoisting where mobility is an issue.
- Take part in swimming lessons.
- Administer medication and regular medical procedures in accordance with agreed plan under the direction and training from the healthcare professional.
- Undertake delegated health duties for students when requested, with relevant training given to support you in enabling students to access education safely.
- Escort and supervise pupils on educational visits and out of school activities.
- Maintain/update confidential pupil records.
- Break time supervision including facilitating games and activities.
- Advise and assist pupils in the use and deployment of complex personal learning aides and equipment.
- Provide Clerical support to the teacher.
- Ability to work across the school as required, including allocation to other teaching teams and departments.
- Attend relevant training courses and meetings.
- Be aware of and comply with school policies and procedures.
- Any other reasonable direction from the Headteacher.
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.
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
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.
School location
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