Pupil Support Assistant, Breadalbane Academy, Aberfeldy - PKC14098

Main Purpose of the Role

Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job, it's about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of all we do and provides opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch.

At Breadalbane Academy, we aim to create a positive ethos where we encourage one another, build strong values, and promote a spirit of courage and compassion. We are committed to providing and maintaining a safe, nurturing environment in which all pupils feel happy, supported, and able to reach their full potential.

As a Pupil Support Assistant, you will work as part of a dedicated team supporting children and young people with additional support needs to access learning across both Primary and Secondary. Children and young people may experience a wide range of needs, both short-term and long-term, at different stages of their education. Your role will be varied and rewarding, adapting to meet these individual needs whilst ensuring every child can participate fully in school life.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting children and young people with needs in areas such as:
• Social and emotional development
• Learning support
• Communication
• Physical support
• Personal care
• Support pupils in class to engage with learning activities
• Assist in delivering individualised support plans
• Promote inclusion and participation across all aspects of school life
• Help maintain a safe, calm, and positive learning environment
• Support transitions, breaks, lunches and school activities

Some children may present with distressed or challenging behaviour as a result of their additional support needs. In this role, you will contribute to positive behaviour management approaches and support the implementation of individual programmes.

Skills & Experience Required

We are looking for someone who is nurturing, flexible and resilient, with a positive attitude and a genuine passion for supporting children and young people, enabling them to feel included, valued and successful in their learning. Experience of working with children or young people is desirable but not essential, as training and support will be provided.

About the School

Breadalbane Academy is a vibrant all-through school serving children and young people aged 2 to 18, and we are proud of the strong sense of community that runs through all aspects of school life. We offer a rich and diverse wider curriculum that supports the development of the whole child academically, socially and emotionally. Our approach is rooted in fostering creativity, resilience and personal growth, ensuring that every learner is well prepared for life beyond school.

Opened in 2010, Breadalbane Academy is located in Aberfeldy, in the heart of scenic Highland Perthshire. Our wide catchment area stretches from the dramatic landscape of Rannoch Moor in the west to the lively towns of Dunkeld and Pitlochry in the east, making this an inspiring place to live and work.

The school is part of a state-of-the-art Community Campus that provides an exceptional learning and working environment. Facilities include a 25m swimming pool, astroturf playing surface, recording studio, dance studio and excellent ICT resources, all of which support a rich and diverse curriculum and create experiences for our young people that are not always available elsewhere.

Surrounded by mountains, moors, forests, lochs and rivers, our rural location offers unique opportunities to enrich young people’s learning and wider experiences. Through the Breadalbane Guarantee, we ensure that every learner benefits from a broad range of achievement opportunities beyond the classroom. These experiences are designed to build valuable skills and aptitudes while broadening pupils’ life experiences and knowledge.

Breadalbane Academy is proud to provide opportunities for Gaelic Medium Education across our Nursery, Primary and Secondary settings. We are committed to giving young people opportunities to engage with Scotland’s cultural heritage, including an appreciation of the wider culture of Gaelic.

Many staff enjoy commuting from Perth, Crieff and other nearby areas, attracted by the school’s strong community ethos and stunning natural setting. Breadalbane Academy’s location in Highland Perthshire offers not only a rich educational environment, but also a lifestyle that embraces nature, creativity and connection.

Working at Perth & Kinross Council

Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours.

Here’s what we can offer you:

• A generous annual leave package
• 6 days public holiday and an additional discretionary day
• Eligibility to join our pension scheme
• Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, time off for volunteering and our Wellbeing Framework
• Access to a range of benefits

We recognise there can be benefits to flexible working and where individual jobs allow, we seek to support this. You are encouraged to discuss potential options with the recruiting manager, if this is of interest to you. A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

All new employees have a four-month probationary period. Further details are available in the FAQs at “How to apply for a job or apprenticeship with us”.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Lynne Lambert, Head Teacher, at Breadalbane@pkc.gov.uk to find out more.

External candidates are required to provide contact details for 2 referees, including email addresses. One of these must be your current or most recent employer.

Internal applicants applying for secondment must obtain line manager approval through the secondment form available under My Forms – Secondment Request Form on MyView. Please note that secondment requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post. Please contact the hiring manager above or the Recruitment Team on (01738) 475555 or recruitment@pkc.gov.uk to discuss any reasonable adjustments. Appointments are based on evidence supplied during the selection process.

Diversity is important to us and although some of our jobs may be perceived to be traditionally gender specific, we welcome applications from everyone and would encourage you to apply if you meet the job requirements. That includes welcoming applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

Working with children and/or protected adults is regarded as a regulated role and under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 you will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check.

If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more (continuous or total) within the last 10 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check.

A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.