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- Tasks: Support students with learning difficulties and help them thrive in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Great Oaks College, a specialist independent college dedicated to empowering young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, staff discounts, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join us in a dynamic role with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while growing your skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: NVQ3 in a relevant subject and experience with autism and complex needs.
The predicted salary is between 27435 - 29102 £ per year.
Great Oaks College is a specialist independent college which is currently open to students across three sites. The college provides further educational opportunities to students aged 19-25 with moderate, severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties, many of whom also have other needs such as physical disabilities, sensory impairments and autism. We run three Pathways: Vocational, Life and Living and Engagement for Life. In January 2025 we are relocating 2 sites to our new main college building in Sunbury-on-Thames (Surrey).
Locations: The Life and Living Pathway is located at the Triangle in Hounslow, Engagement for Life is located in the Oaklands school (until December 2025) and the Vocational Department is located at the Staines Rugby Club (until December 2025).
We are looking to employ a Teaching Assistant to our team. We are interested to hear from you if you have an NVQ3 in a relevant subject and have worked in a special college or specialist school before. You will have previous experience and be familiar with using Makaton signing and symbols for communication and essentially have experience of working with students with autism and complex needs. We believe that all of our students are capable of making outstanding progress and we want to appoint individuals who share our beliefs.
Great Oaks College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and anyone applying to work at the College is expected to share this commitment. This position is subject to a satisfactory, enhanced DBS check with adult barring and references being received. All positions are subject to the satisfactory completion of a twenty-six working week probation period.
We value our employees and offer a supportive and engaging environment, comprehensive induction, inset and excellent continuous professional development training sessions, Teachers Pension scheme access to staff discounts, and other wellbeing benefits:
- An employee assistance programme
- Access to Private Doctors and Nurses 24/7 free of charge
- Daily staff breakfasts including fruits cereal and toast
Please ensure that you explain clearly in your application how you meet the person specification.
Key Dates:
- Closing Date/ Shortlisting Date: Monday, 24th of November 2025 at 8am
- Interview Date: Thursday, 4th December 2025
- Start Date: January 2025 (depending on the compliance checks)
- Contract Type: Permanent, Term Time Only
- Pay Scale: Inner London Pay Scale 6, point 16 to 20 £36,423 to Point 20 £38,637 per annum pro rata for the full time
- Actual Salary: £27,435 to £29,102 per annum
- Hours of work: 31.25 hours per week (excluding 45 min breaks), 08:30 – 15:30. (Monday to Friday). Working 39 weeks in a year. Due to the college’s opening hours, we are unable to offer flexibility in the hours of work.
CV’s will not be accepted. No agencies, please.
Teaching Assistants Required in Sunbury-on-Thames employer: Greatoakscollege
Contact Detail:
Greatoakscollege Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Teaching Assistants Required in Sunbury-on-Thames
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the college and its values! Research Great Oaks College and understand their mission. This will help you connect your experience with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your Makaton signing! If you’re familiar with it, brush up on your skills. If not, consider a quick online course or tutorial to show your commitment to communication methods used at the college.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former staff! Reach out on LinkedIn or other platforms to get insights about working at Great Oaks. They might share tips that could give you an edge in your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Teaching Assistants Required in Sunbury-on-Thames
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with students with special needs shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the person specification. We’re looking for specific skills like Makaton signing and experience with autism, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make it easy for us to see how you meet the requirements without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, the best way to apply is through our website. It’s super easy and ensures your application gets to the right place. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from interested candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Greatoakscollege
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the specific needs of students with autism and complex needs. Brush up on Makaton signing and symbols, as this will likely come up in your interview. Being able to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in these areas will show that you’re a great fit for the role.
✨Show Your Passion
Great Oaks College is all about believing in the potential of every student. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve supported students in the past and how you’ve helped them make progress. Your enthusiasm for helping others will really shine through and resonate with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations involving students with learning difficulties. Think about real-life scenarios you’ve faced and how you approached them. This will help you articulate your problem-solving skills and adaptability during the interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the college’s approach to professional development or how they support their staff. This shows that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team and committed to your own growth within the role.