Music and Arts Teaching Assistant

Job Description

Job Title: Teaching Assistant (Music and Arts)

Contract: 32.5 hours per week

Term time only + inset days (39 weeks + 5.4 weeks holiday pay per year)

Temporary until April 2027 with strong likelihood of extension

Pay Scale: Grade 5; Point 7-8; £14.14-£14.36 per hour

Hours: 8.30am – 3.30pm Monday to Friday

Start Date: As soon as possible

We are currently recruiting for a Music/Arts Teaching Assistant within our Arts Team – a dynamic, creative role that supports the delivery of inclusive, high-quality arts education. This position is ideal for someone with a strong passion for the music and the arts and a deep belief in their transformative power in education, especially for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

As a key member of the Arts Department, you will be instrumental in helping students access and engage with creative subjects through adapted, accessible and inspiring arts-based learning. You will work alongside specialist Arts Teachers to contribute to the planning, facilitation and assessment of artistic projects, performances, exhibitions, rehearsals and lessons. You will help foster students’ creative expression, cultural understanding and confidence through the arts.

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

• a passion for music and an interest in arts education
• experience of playing a musical instrument, singing or performing arts
• experience of using music technology
• able to employ a wide variety of communication strategies
• confident in supporting young people with a range of learning needs, through music and the arts
• able to engage and motivate students
• flexibility to work across the whole college if/when required
• excellent organisational skills
• able to use initiative and work effectively in a team
• able to step in and lead lessons on occasions

Safeguarding Statement

Oak Grove College and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

How to Apply

NOTE TO CANDIDATES - Please do not select the ‘Apply online’ button as the School processes your applications directly rather than through this site.​

To apply for this role please click on the Application Attachment links below.

Please complete the application form and ensure that you outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the job description).

Once complete please return this to recruitment@oakgrovecollege.org.uk

Should you have any questions regarding the role or the application please contact the school directly.

Closing date: Wednesday 11 November 2026

Interview date: Wednesday 18 November 2026

Application Attachments:

Music Teaching Assistant Candidate Information Pack

#LI-DNI

Responsibilities

Key Arts Duties:

• Support the planning, preparation and delivery of engaging arts-based lessons and workshops in music, drama, visual arts and cross-disciplinary creative practices, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students
• Support students in the use of music technology, digital creative tools, including recording, composition and performance software
• Support the planning and delivery of concerts, productions, performances, exhibitions and other arts events throughout the academic year
• Facilitate participation in arts-based enrichment activities, such as school productions, carol concerts, exhibitions, performances and arts-based community projects.
• Contribute to the development of the arts curriculum under the guidance of the Arts Team.
• Assist in setting up and maintaining arts spaces, and creative resources.
• Under the direction of class teachers, following agreed arts lesson plans, rehearsals and performances and assist with the teaching and learning of individuals/ groups of students, using support strategies appropriate to the needs of students, 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 Arts Teacher.
• Assist with the maintenance, storage and organisation of musical instruments and other arts equipment
• Lead planned lessons and activities in the absence of the arts teachers, in line with agreed schemes of work and departmental expectations.
• Deliver targeted music interventions and enrichment activities for individuals and small groups under the guidance of the Arts Team
• Support the Arts team in the monitoring, recording and assessment of student 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 students.
• Support students in working towards accreditations and performance exams.
• Provide feedback to students in relation to attainment and progress under the guidance of the teacher.
• Provide individual or small group support to students, helping them participate fully in creative activities.
• Preparing resources for use in arts lessons.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the arts department and wider college, as well as visiting practitioners.
• Overseeing resources and stock in the arts department, supporting with arts resource ordering.
• To be trained as an arts award advisor or be willing to undertake necessary training.
• Encourage students to explore cultural and artistic diversity, promoting creativity, personal voice and collaborative participation.

General Teaching Assistant duties

• Contribute to the development of a purposeful working atmosphere and implement and monitor the college’s behaviour and any related policies and procedures. Administer and invigilate tests and examinations as directed.
• Support students 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.
• Support specific projects or activities as well as whole college events as required.
• Understand and support independent learning and inclusion of all students.
• Work with students on therapy or care programmes.
• Attend to student’s 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 students in activities including lifting/hoisting where mobility is an issue.
• Take part in swimming lessons if required.
• Administer medication in accordance with agreed plan under the direction of the healthcare professional.
• Escort and supervise students on educational visits and out of school activities.
• Maintain/update confidential student records.
• Break time supervision including facilitating games and activities.
• Advise and assist students in the use and deployment of complex personal learning aides and equipment.
• Ability to work across the college as required, including allocation to other teaching teams and departments.
• Attend relevant training courses and meetings.
• Support with photocopying and admin tasks as and when required.
• Be aware of and comply with college policies and procedures.
• Any other reasonable direction from the Headteacher.