Teaching Assistant with Responsibility for Students from Military Families in Watlington

Icknield Community College, an 11-16 comprehensive school in the Oxfordshire town of Watlington, is looking for an enthusiastic, proactive and adaptable teaching assistant to support learners in the school from Sept 2026. The successful candidate will take responsibility for supporting students from military families and offering support in the delivery of our Alternative Provision packages between 3.00 and 5.00pm.

In December 2024, Ofsted inspected our school and concluded that:

• Staff are effusive about working in the school and value its mindful approach to workload.
• Pupils are proud to be members of this ambitious and friendly school.
• Pupils value the warm and respectful relationships they have with staff.
• Pupils’ behaviour is calm and orderly.

In March 2025, The Sunday Times named Icknield Community College the happiest secondary school in Oxfordshire. More recently, in October 2025, the Great British Schools Guide (GBSG) ranked the school joint sixth nationally in terms of “safest schools”, based on the latest Parent View feedback for the 2024-2025 academic year. These recognitions reflect our strong commitment to student wellbeing and success, further supported by Ofsted’s Parent View survey, where 98% of parents said they would recommend the school.

The successful candidate will work 37 hours per week, 8.30am to 5pm, term time only (this incorporates an unpaid break of an hour per day, consisting of 20 minutes for morning break and 40 minutes for lunch). Our new TA will be a committed team player, who, guided by the SENDCo, will assist the teaching staff in advancing students’ learning in order to raise their aspirations and support them in achieving their potential. As well as working with students in the classroom, the successful candidate will also be confident in delivering 1:1 and small group interventions.

Furthermore, they will also be committed to supporting the welfare and wellbeing of our students from military families, offering and coordinating support where appropriate, facilitating opportunities for these students and liaising with their families where appropriate. The candidate will also add capacity to the team of staff who support students in alternative provision between 3.00pm and 5.00pm.

If you are looking for a varied rewarding role where you can put your fantastic skills to great use, this could be the position for you. The post is term time only and is paid at £25,583- £26,403 pro rata (the actual salary would be £21,401 - £22,087). As well as benefiting from the school holidays and a vibrant and caring work environment, you will also have the opportunity to join one of the country’s best pension schemes.

Please see attached detailed job description and person specification. If you are shortlisted, we will take up written references before your interview so please provide permission for this and provide accurate phone and email contact details for your referees. One of your referees must be your current or last employer, and if you are employed in a school, must include your current Headteacher.

This position is subject to a variable hours clause where the contracted hours can be reduced by a third. This enables schools to manage the fluctuations in pupil’s needs.

The Acer Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Any offer of employment with the Acer Trust is subject to verification of ID and qualifications, satisfactory evidence of the right to work in the UK, health clearance, NCTL and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check. The Acer Trust is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from candidates from all ethnic and community backgrounds.

The closing date for applications is 8am on Monday 29 June and interviews will be held in the subsequent days. Please be aware that those candidates who apply early may be interviewed before the deadline.