Personal Care Assistant in Retford

St Giles is an inspiring, exciting and aspirational school for children and young people aged 3-18 with a broad range of difficulties from moderate/severe to profound and multiple, which includes those with autism and associated behaviours. Based in Retford, our school provides highly specialised and personalised education to children and young people with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) from across the whole of Bassetlaw, which is the most northerly district of Nottinghamshire.

We’re also a growing school split over 2 sites. There are currently 241 pupils on roll taught in 30 classes from September 2025. Pupils are taught that ‘no dreams are out of reach’. Our aim is to develop the full potential of individual children involving teachers, other professionals and parents in partnership.

There are 30 classes, led by an Executive Principal, 2 Head of Schools, 3 Assistant Head Teachers, and teachers. We also have specialist teachers supporting with PE, music and art and drama provision onsite. Pupils are enabled in their learning by teaching assistants and Personal Care Assistants, who provide a variety of interventions to ensure the comfort of pupils. Administrative support is led by the School Business Manager, who is assisted by 5 Administrators.

We also have a team of Health Care Support Workers, ICT Support, a caretaker and cleaning team. The school commissions services from professionals such as art, drama and music therapists and a sensory occupational therapist. In addition, the school has regular support from visiting nurses, paediatricians, speech therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and a Senior Educational psychologist.

Our purpose-built school sites were officially opened by HRH The Duke of Kent in 2012 and include teaching classrooms and specialist areas such as music and art suites. Additional specialist facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, a fully refurbished soft play room and an interactive sensory room provide opportunities for a highly personalised learning environment. The school also has extensive grounds with play areas equipped with trim-trails, swings, round-a-bouts, trampolines, a multi-surface court and interactive sensory exploration area.

Our broad and specialist Curriculum, which gives learners the skills and knowledge to prepare them for life beyond St Giles, includes the National Curriculum and its pre-requisites, sensory education, communication skills, a wide-ranging personal and social education programme, mobility education, and a well-developed post 16 education programme.

Our learners are based in teaching groups according to their ability and more loosely their chronological age. There are currently five cohorts of learners, focusing on formal, semi-formal and pre-formal teaching. Each teaching group is the responsibility of a teacher, supported by at least two teaching assistants. Phases (primary, secondary and post 16) are encouraged to work collaboratively, resulting in a positive life-long approach to learning, which prepares our pupils for adulthood from their earliest years.

Our school has a long tradition of community involvement; we are supported by a highly effective network of ‘Friends of St Giles’ and have a coffee shop in town run by our older students, which not only provides a great interface with our local community, it also supports learners to hone their functional and independence skills.

St. Giles School and Nottinghamshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share our commitment.

We are seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to support pupils with communication difficulties and associated behaviours that challenge. The right candidate will be passionate about making learning irresistible and delivering practice that is life changing. They will understand how to adapt learning to ensure it is personalised and will know how to support pupils through total communication approaches.

The successful candidate will assist the classroom teacher in implementing behaviour support strategies, building positive relationships, and creating a safe, structured learning environment. Training and ongoing support are provided. Experience in special education or behaviour support is preferred but not required, but a positive attitude and commitment to pupil’s holistic development are essential.