Teaching Assistant - Chaigeley School

About us

Chaigeley School is a Non-maintained Special School that caters for young people between the ages of 8 and 16 who experience Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. We provide a specialist environment where all pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Our school ethos is rooted in the Quaker principle of respect for the individual and valuing every person's contribution. We are an Ofsted-rated 'Good' school committed to supporting every pupil to achieve their best. Our Vision is to prepare and empower our young people with all the skills they need to live independent lives, become valued members of the community and achieve their true potential.

The role

As a Teaching Assistant at Chaigeley School, you will work under the direction of senior staff and teachers to supervise and support children with a wide range of complex needs, including individual learning and behavioural requirements. A central aspect of the role is supporting the social and emotional well-being of pupils. You will be expected to recognise when students need emotional reassurance and respond in a calm, supportive, and professional manner.

You will act as a positive role model, helping to build constructive relationships and raise achievement by addressing areas such as language development, behaviour, and social skills. This role requires resilience, adaptability, tolerance, and patience, as you will be responsible for promoting positive conduct and responding promptly to conflict, encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their actions. You will also support access to learning, promote independence, and help maintain a purposeful learning environment while adhering strictly to safeguarding and child protection procedures.

You will foster good working relationships with pupils, promoting their self-esteem, independence, and inclusion. A key part of the role involves supporting high-quality teaching by clarifying instructions, helping pupils focus on tasks, and assisting with specific needs such as language, reading, spelling, and social skills. You will also deliver structured learning activities including literacy and numeracy programmes and support the use of ICT in lessons.

Alongside supporting pupils, you will assist teachers in maintaining an orderly, purposeful learning environment by preparing resources and providing clerical support, including filing and photocopying. All staff are required to uphold the school ethos and follow all safeguarding, child protection, and confidentiality policies.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will be a resilient, adaptable, and dedicated professional with a strong commitment to supporting pupils with diverse and often complex needs. They will demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to build positive and trusting relationships, and a genuine passion for promoting pupils’ social, emotional, and academic development. With a calm and supportive approach, they will act as a positive role model, encourage independence, and contribute to creating a purposeful and inclusive learning environment while upholding the school’s safeguarding and pastoral values.

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Ability to work effectively within a team, understanding classroom roles and responsibilities.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with pupils and colleagues and act as a positive role model.
• Ability to support pupils with a wide range of individual needs and recognise when emotional reassurance is required.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and confidentiality, with consistent adherence to procedures
• High resilience, adaptability, excellent communication skills, and full commitment to pupil welfare and positive behaviour

How to apply

If you've got what it takes to join our amazing team, please visit Chaigeley School website for the recruitment pack and email the completed form to Chaigeley School e-mail address.

You are welcome to come and visit the school prior to submitting your application. To do so, please email your request to Chaigeley School e-mail address

This position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, the successful applicant will be required to disclose any relevant criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or final warnings. An Enhanced DBS check will be undertaken for the successful candidate. An online check will be carried out for all shortlisted candidates and references may be requested prior to interview.

Chaigeley School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Key dates

Closing date: Sunday 27 September 2026.

Interviews will take place shortly after the closing date.

Start date: As soon as possible