Specialist Teaching Assistant in Slough

Salary: Level 4, Point 19 – £22,125.68 + SSA allowance £1,047.89 per annum (FTE £27,767 + SSA allowance £1,315.07 per annum) Level 5, Point 22.1 – £23,911.39 + SSA allowance £1,047.89 per annum depending on experience (FTE £30,008 + SSA allowance £1,315.07 per annum)

Location: Arbour Vale School, Farnham Road, SL2 3AE / Arbour Vale Satellite Centre, Derwent Drive, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 6HW

Working Pattern: 33.5 hours per week, term time only (Monday 8.30am – 4.30pm; Tuesday - Friday 8.30am – 3.30pm)

Arbour Vale School is a large and inclusive special school in Slough, supporting pupils aged 2 to 19 with a wide range of educational needs. It is one of the largest special schools in the country, meeting the needs of children and young people with moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning needs, and autism.

The school is purpose built with specialist facilities including a dedicated nursery and post‑16 base, soft‑play area, hydrotherapy pool, multi‑sensory room, a newly refurbished library, well‑equipped IT suite, dedicated music room and large sports hall.

We are seeking Specialist Teaching Assistants to join our team. In these roles, you will support classroom teachers to ensure high‑quality learning outcomes for all pupils within a safe and supportive environment. You will provide personal care, deliver therapeutic interventions, and uphold the highest standards of safeguarding.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support Learning and Development: Assist classroom teachers to ensure all pupils can access the curriculum, promoting progress, independence, communication, and positive behaviour.
• Provide Personal and Therapeutic Care: Deliver personal care, medical interventions, and individual therapy programmes (e.g., Physio, OT, SaLT, specialist feeding), following care plans and undertaking relevant training.
• Safeguarding and Wellbeing: Promote the safety, health, and wellbeing of pupils at all times, reporting any concerns in line with school safeguarding and Health & Safety procedures.
• Classroom and Resource Support: Prepare classrooms and learning environments, support displays, manage resources, and provide clerical or administrative assistance as required.
• Leadership and Additional Responsibilities: Occasionally cover for teachers, lead learning activities, and take specific responsibilities such as therapy lead, behaviour support, communication lead, or resource management under professional guidance.

Key Requirements:

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, grade 4 / C or above
• Proven successful experience of working or caring with children in an educational setting
• Understanding of and commitment to work within the scope of the school’s equal opportunities policy
• Ability to work constructively as part of a team understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and your own position within those responsibilities.
• Commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children

OHCAT is an exciting, forward‑thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills.

Rewards & Benefits:

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Our Trust Arbour Vale School is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre‑school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.