Pupil Support Assistant (Junior School)

Overview

George Watson’s College wishes to appoint a Pupil Support Assistant in our Additional Support for Learning Department within the Junior School. To provide personalised and holistic 1-1 and/or small group assistance to pupils with a range of physical, emotional, social, behavioural or learning additional needs in order to enable them to have a rich and fulfilling educational experience at the School. To directly provide support to any assigned pupils in all school activities while simultaneously encouraging their independence and protecting their dignity.

Hours and Salary

Hours of work will be 27 hours per week, working 8:15am – 3:30pm (including a 30 minute unpaid break) for 4 days per week. One of the working days will be a Friday. This position is term time only (36 weeks plus professional learning days). The annual leave entitlement is seven weeks per year making a total of 44 weeks. The salary for this position will be in the Grade 2 range which currently stands at £27,090 – £30,231 per annum (based on 36.25 hours per week, 52 weeks per year). This equates to £17,073 – £19,052 per annum for 27 hours and 44 weeks.

Application process

To apply, please click the Apply button. Please include a letter of application of not more than 800 words giving us more information about you and why you would like the role, addressed to Mrs Pippa McCallum, Principal Teacher, Additional Support for Learning.

Closing date: Thursday 11 September 2025

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Thursday 18 September 2025

Main Responsibilities

Supporting Learning and Teaching Activities:

To support excellent standards of learning and teaching and encourage independence and improvement by recognising and responding to the unique needs and developmental requirements of each child.

To assist teaching staff in supporting pupils with specific learning needs to access the curriculum and promote inclusion and accessibility to the school experience.

As directed by the teacher, and depending on the particular needs of each student, this may include a range of tasks such as:

• helping them with their organisation of classroom work and participation in learning activities, including managing behaviour and keeping them on task
• preparing for classroom activities and setting up learning support materials, technology and equipment
• helping students understand verbal or written instructions or explaining/reinforcing key learning points
• reading, taking notes or scribing for students in class or during exams
• supporting them with communication and discussion work, including the use of augmentative communication equipment, if appropriate
• providing feedback to the pupil to maintain motivation and enhance self-esteem

Supporting personal care, mobility and health and welfare needs:

To attend to the individual personal care, health and medical needs of pupils, assisting them in maintaining a safe, health and hygienic environment whilst at School, enabling them to function at their full potential.

To support individual care plans and health and safety requirements for students by helping with a range of planned procedures such as emergency/fire evacuations, anticipated medical emergencies (e.g. asthma).

Depending on the particular needs of each student and their learning/care plan, this may include a range of tasks such as:

• encouraging and promoting independence and providing assistance with toileting, dressing/undressing, and feeding themselves
• assisting students with personal care or medical requirements (e.g. ???)
• supporting and promoting independence to students making use of wheelchairs or walking aids, visual and hearing aids etc
• escorting them to/from class and settling them in the learning environment

Supporting behavioural and emotional needs:

To support and reinforce positive behaviour management strategies for each allocated student, guiding their behaviour and helping them to demonstrate good standards of conduct in line with School policies and routines (e.g. timekeeping, homework, dress code, dignity and respect).

To support a range of behavioural and emotional needs, for example, by offering praise and encouragement to pupils, assisting them in building and maintaining trust, supporting their ability to make choices, promoting positive interaction and cooperative working with other pupils, acknowledging feelings and supporting appropriate expression of emotions, etc.

To help teachers in maintaining any associated records of behavioural patterns, observations of changes in behaviour, welfare concerns etc.

To provide a range of support to students participating in learning and teaching activities outwith the classroom, e.g. recreational/social activities, drama or music rehearsals or shows, school trips, and swimming and sport/PE lessons etc.

Supporting administration, planning and review activities:

To contribute to support for learning team and individual student plans, written records of pupil progress, and individual risk assessments, supporting teachers with the collection and maintenance of information, as required.

As directed by teaching staff, contribute to planning and reporting review meetings for students with additional support for learning needs.

To positively interact with parents and carers and respond to their comments, suggestions or concerns, ensuring onward communication of information to relevant teaching or other support staff in line with appropriate confidentiality requirements.

To carry out other reasonable ad hoc duties as directed by members of the Additional Support for Learning (ASL) or School management team.

To participate positively in team meetings and in appropriate continuous professional development events for ASL staff by attending training courses, giving and receiving feedback, maintaining knowledge etc.

Ideal Candidate:

Essential:

• Previous demonstrable experience in a similar role supporting individual pupils with learning and physical needs
• Appropriate academic qualifications that would enable successful support as a scribe
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal and listening skills
• Good planning and organisational skills
• Competent in use of technology, Microsoft Office, Google etc
• Highly empathy and patient
• Proactive and intuitive
• Adaptable and resilient to cope with the demands of role
• Flexibility to provide cover as required for trips, outings, evening rehearsals/shows

Desirable:

• Experience in an educational or learning setting
• A related qualification such as an HNC Childhood Practice, SVQ Social Services, or equivalent in a Care related subject

Package Description:

Location: George Watson’s College, Edinburgh

Contract Type: 27 hours per week, 44 weeks per year

Salary: £17,073 – £19,052 (Based on 27 hours per week, 44 weeks per year)

Benefits: Automatic enrolment in the contributory support staff defined contribution pension scheme, reduced school fees at George Watson’s College for children of staff, Membership of the Galleon Club (the school’s fitness club)