At a Glance
- Tasks: Support positive student conduct and maintain a calm learning environment.
- Company: River Academy, a rapidly growing school with a strong focus on behaviour support.
- Benefits: Generous salary, pension scheme, professional development, and flexible hybrid working.
- Other info: Join a committed team dedicated to high standards and student success.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while fostering a positive school culture.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 27245 - 27245 £ per year.
Job Reference: EDV/2026/RA/73215
Location: 7 Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8EQ
Contract: Permanent, Full Time (37 hours per week)
Salary: £27,245 annually (FTE £31,537)
Closing Date: 15 June 2026
About This Role
River Academy opened in September 2024 with 180 students and seven students in its resource base. From September 2026, student numbers will increase again as the school welcomes its next cohort of Year 7 students. The school is currently oversubscribed, with waiting lists in all year groups, and expects continued high demand for September 2026. You will join a strong and committed school team, contributing to the delivery of clear routines and the setting of expectations in line with the River Way. River Academy has a strong focus on calm, purposeful learning environments. Classrooms are quiet, corridors are calm. Students are expected to demonstrate good manners, strong oracy skills, and high standards of personal and academic presentation. Reflecting this focus on consistency and high expectations, River Academy is ranked in the highest decile across all DfE attendance measures, and Sparx homework completion rates consistently exceed 98%.
River Academy is seeking to appoint a Behaviour Support Worker to support positive student conduct and contribute to a calm, safe and purposeful learning environment. This is an important pastoral and behaviour support role. The successful candidate will help operate key behaviour systems across the school, including On Patrol duties, daily after‑school detention, Supported Study and Inclusion areas. They will work closely with pastoral colleagues, teaching colleagues and senior leaders to support students throughout the school day. The role will suit someone who is confident, calm, fair and consistent, with the ability to build positive relationships with young people while maintaining high expectations.
Key Responsibilities
- Support school behaviour systems, including break, lunch and allocated On Patrol duties.
- Supervise students in Supported Study, Inclusion and other behaviour support areas.
- Support the Pastoral Team in responding to behaviour issues across all year groups.
- Register and accurately record student attendance in supervised areas.
- Maintain orderly entry to and exit from supervised spaces.
- Create and maintain a calm, safe and purposeful environment conducive to learning.
- Guide students on work set by teaching colleagues and ensure access to appropriate resources.
- Analyse behaviour data using school systems and produce reports for relevant leaders, teaching and pastoral colleagues.
- Comply fully with school policies, safeguarding procedures, risk assessments and health and safety requirements.
The Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will have experience of working with young people in a relevant setting, such as education, youth work, health or social services. They will understand the importance of safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries. They will be able to establish authority and mutual respect with students, apply behaviour expectations consistently, and respond to challenging situations with resilience and emotional robustness. Strong communication, organisation and record‑keeping skills are essential. A willingness to analyse behaviour data and contribute to improvement activity is also important. The ability or willingness to drive the school minibus is desirable.
Benefits
- Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions, auto‑enrolment into either the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme, both Career Average Earning Schemes.
- Annual Leave: Generous holiday entitlement, increases with length of service.
- ME Day: One additional day’s leave each year for special personal events.
- Professional Development: Comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, opportunities to attend and deliver CPD, annual conference, apprenticeship levy funding.
- Hybrid Working: Flexible approach for eligible roles, balancing remote and office‑based work where appropriate.
- Perkbox: Access to discounts and wellness resources.
- Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations, free eye tests for eligible staff.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support and discount vouchers. Mental Health First Aid support.
- Recognition and Community: Celebration of staff achievements and milestones within the TeamMET community.
- Employee Referral Scheme.
Contact A Hartley – Email: Hartley@maidenerleghtrust.org
Behaviour Support Specialist - Calm Learning, Hybrid Role in Reading employer: Maiden Erlegh Trust
River Academy is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritises calm and purposeful learning. With a strong commitment to professional development, generous benefits including a comprehensive pension scheme, and a focus on employee wellbeing, staff are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in Reading, the academy fosters a culture of recognition and community, making it an ideal place for those passionate about supporting young people in their educational journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Behaviour Support Specialist - Calm Learning, Hybrid Role in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who work with behaviour support. They might have insider info on job openings or can even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to behaviour management and student support. We recommend role-playing with a friend to get comfortable discussing your experiences and strategies.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for creating calm learning environments during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed behaviour in past roles, as this will resonate with schools like River Academy.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Behaviour Support Specialist - Calm Learning, Hybrid Role in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the Behaviour Support Specialist role. Highlight your experience with young people and any relevant behaviour management strategies you've used.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since strong communication is key in this role, use your application to demonstrate how you effectively communicate with students and colleagues. Share examples of how you've built positive relationships in past roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. This will help us quickly see how you fit into our calm and purposeful learning environment.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and stands out in our system!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maiden Erlegh Trust
✨Know the School's Values
Before your interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with River Academy's ethos and values. Understanding their focus on calm, purposeful learning environments will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience working with young people, especially in behaviour support roles. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your ability to build positive relationships and maintain high expectations.
✨Prepare for Behaviour Scenarios
Think about potential challenging situations you might face as a Behaviour Support Specialist. Prepare responses that highlight your resilience and emotional robustness, showing how you would handle these scenarios effectively.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the school's behaviour systems or how they measure success in maintaining a calm environment. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
