Teaching Assistants (Resource Base – SEN) in Reading

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 two Teaching Assistants to support pupils who access the Moderate Learning Difficulty (MLD) Resource Base. This is an important role for someone who is committed to helping pupils access learning, develop independence and make strong progress within a supportive and inclusive environment.

The successful candidates will work with individual pupils and small groups, helping to clarify learning, prepare resources and support the delivery of educational programmes and interventions. The role will also involve supporting pupils’ social skills, life skills and wider development, while contributing to a calm, safe and positive learning environment.

• Support individual pupils and small groups within the MLD Resource Base to access learning and agreed activities.
• Clarify and explain instructions, support pupils to use equipment and materials, and motivate them to complete work.
• Liaise with class teachers to discuss learning tasks, pupil progress and areas of concern.
• Help deliver educational programmes, including social skills groups, life skills and MLD-related interventions.
• Monitor, assess, record and report on pupils’ achievements and development.
• Contribute to pupil profiles, risk assessments and behaviour support plans.
• Promote pupils’ welfare, personal care, safety, independence and inclusion.
• Support positive behaviour by reinforcing expected standards and acting as a role model.
• Follow school and Trust policies, including safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, confidentiality and data protection.

We are looking for someone who has a caring, positive and sensitive approach to supporting pupils with individual needs. You will be able to build positive relationships with pupils and colleagues, communicate clearly, and work constructively as part of a team. You will have NVQ Level 2, CACHE Level 2 Certificate or equivalent, alongside Level 2 or equivalent qualifications in English and Maths. Experience of working with children with special educational needs would be desirable. The successful candidate will be calm under pressure, flexible in responding to changing needs and committed to supporting pupils’ access to learning, inclusion and development.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise. We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning. Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

River Academy is a purpose-built secondary school serving the growing need for school places in the Reading area. Located on Richfield Avenue, the site includes specialist teaching facilities across the curriculum, including a hall, activity studio, learning resource centre, drama studio and sports studio. Classrooms are fully equipped with interactive screens and visualisers. The school has high expectations for all students, with a clear focus on academic excellence and participation. When fully open, River Academy will serve students of all abilities and backgrounds, alongside an additional resource base for students with moderate learning difficulties. The school also offers a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities through its after-school Electives programme, available to all students.

Further information about working at Maiden Erlegh Trust can be found on our website. Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work, and colleagues across our Trust benefit from a range of opportunities and schemes designed to recognise their contribution and support their growth.

• Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions, with auto-enrolment into either the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme, both Career Average Earning Schemes.
• Annual Leave: We offer a generous holiday entitlement, which increases with length of service.
• ME Day: Colleagues may request one additional day’s leave each year to attend a special personal event, such as a child’s sports day or graduation, or a family celebration.
• Professional Development: We offer a comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, including opportunities to both attend and deliver CPD. Colleagues also take part in our annual Conference, a full day of workshops, networking and learning for all staff.
• Colleagues can also access a range of professional development opportunities using Apprenticeship Levy funding, and benefit from professional development networks.
• Hybrid Working: For eligible roles, we support a flexible approach to working arrangements, balancing remote and office-based work where appropriate.
• Perkbox: Colleagues have access to Perkbox, which offers a wide range of discounts and wellness resources and receive 25 Perk points each month which can be exchanged for goods and services.
• Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff, and free eye tests are provided to those who are eligible.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Incorporating discount vouchers, access to 24/7 support and more.
• Mental Health First Aid support.
• Recognition and Community: We regularly celebrate staff achievements, milestones and contributions across our schools, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging within the #TeamMET community.
• Employee Referral Scheme.

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution to the future of our Trust and its schools, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time. Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.