Teaching Assistant (Grade 6)

We are seeking a dedicated, enthusiastic and highly skilled Grade 6 Teaching Assistant to join our supportive and committed team. Our school provides education for pupils aged 2–19, and we are passionate about creating an inclusive, nurturing environment where every young person is supported to achieve their full potential.

As a Grade 6 Teaching Assistant, you will play an important role in supporting pupils with their learning, development, communication, independence and wellbeing. You will work closely with teaching staff and other professionals to ensure that individual needs are understood and effectively supported.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing high-quality one-to-one and small-group support to pupils.
• Supporting pupils with their individual learning and development programmes.
• Working alongside teachers to plan, deliver and adapt activities to meet individual needs.
• Supporting pupils with a range of additional needs and ensuring they are fully included in school life.
• Developing positive and trusting relationships with pupils.
• Promoting independence, confidence and self-esteem.
• Supporting communication and social development.
• Implementing strategies outlined in individual support and education plans.
• Contributing to the assessment and monitoring of pupil progress.
• Working collaboratively with teachers, families, therapists and other professionals.
• Supporting positive behaviour and helping pupils to regulate their emotions.
• Acting as a positive role model and promoting high expectations for all pupils.
• Supporting less experienced colleagues where appropriate and contributing to a positive team culture.
• Following all safeguarding, health and safety and school policies and procedures.

We are looking for someone who is:

• An experienced Teaching Assistant with a genuine passion for working with children and young people with additional needs.
• Patient, caring, resilient and compassionate.
• Confident in adapting support to meet individual pupil needs.
• Able to build strong, positive relationships with pupils, colleagues and families.
• A strong communicator with excellent teamwork skills.
• Able to use initiative and work independently when required.
• Committed to promoting inclusion, independence and achievement.
• Organised and able to manage a range of responsibilities effectively.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Our pupils would like someone who is:
Funny, happy, caring, keeps us safe and helps us to learn!"

We value……. Community – Resilience – Wellbeing – Respect - Empowerment

At the Russett School we seek to prepare our learners for life through prioritising skills required to meet their full potential. Through our specialist curriculum, our children and young people are empowered through a strong emphasis on the development of individual communication strategies and life skills. Our Russett team provide enriching and safe environments, where our pupils are encouraged to develop independence, whilst promoting well-being for a happy and fulfilled future.

The Russett School is a specialist setting registered for pupils aged 2 to 19 years whose primary need is associated with having a Severe Learning Difficulty (also known as SLD) and/or Complex Learning Needs. We are also part of Shaw Education Trust. 

Our curriculum is bespoke. This means that it has been carefully designed specifically for learners who have SLD. It has been written to meet the varying needs of pupils who first and foremost have a severe impairment in relation to their cognitive function and or learning ability. 

The Russett School also supports pupils who may have further needs in addition to their severe learning difficulty. For example; some of our pupils have severe communication and interaction needs. 

Pupils at Russett undertake learning activities within classes in mixed ability groups of around 11 pupils with peers similar in age.

Class sizes are generally supported by 4 adult adults (one class teacher and three Teaching Assistants).

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Our values—opportunity, integrity, community, and equity—guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.

We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.

Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.

We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Join us and help transform lives, including your own.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute. 

• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.

Actual Salary: £20,866 - £22,987 
Working hours: 32.5 per week – 38 weeks plus 5 Inset Days (working 39 weeks)