Job Description

Salary: Grade F £27,254 - £28,598 (32.5 hours per week £20,591 - £22,097 pro-rata)
(Pay award pending)

Hours of work: 32.5 Term time only plus INSET days

Contract type: Permanent

A bit about us:

Downland School is a co-educational maintained community special school for pupils aged between 10 and 16 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Our pupils have varying aptitudes and abilities; we are extremely proud of all their achievements and progress. Our pupils have a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) including: Autism (ASC); attachment disorders and Social, Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. We seek to ensure that, by the time they leave us, our pupils emerge as self-confident individuals able to manage their own learning; equipped with the skills and competencies to successfully take the next steps in their lives.

We are a friendly, happy and caring school, providing a positive, inclusive and enriching educational experience for our young people. We view each of our pupils as unique and shape our provision to meet their individual needs and accelerate their progress in a variety of areas e.g. personal, social, academic and well-being. Our commitment to supporting the ‘whole’ child and their development is underpinned by our strong pastoral systems and our committed and trained staff. At Downland we promote inclusion and equality and celebrate diversity.

Our mission statement is ‘Aspire, Achieve and Thrive’

All about the role:

We are looking to appoint a Teaching Assistant to enhance support to our pupils, either through dedicated 1:1 support or by working in class. This post holder will be timetabled as needed across the full range of subjects. They need to be versatile and resilient.

Key areas of work will include:

• Supporting pupils’ learning, either in groups or through 1:1 work. The exact tasks will depend on the learning support needs of the pupil/s to meet their SEND profile but may include:
  • supporting the development of skills in literacy, numeracy, communication and social and behavioural needs
  • adapting & personalising work for individual pupils to suit their ability
  • using knowledge of pupils learning support needs to suggest appropriate adjustments to lesson plans to teachers
  • clarifying and explaining instructions
  • ensuring pupils are able to use equipment and materials provided
  • motivating and supporting pupils
  • helping pupils to concentrate on and finish work set
  • meeting physical needs as required while promoting independence
  • liaising with class teacher and SEND team about Behaviour Support Plans and EHCP outcomes
  • developing appropriate resources to support pupils engage and learn
  • listening to pupils’ problems and taking appropriate action or seeking advice to resolve the issue
• Supporting pupils’ self esteem, inclusion and behavioural development, e.g.
  • encouraging an acceptance and inclusion of the pupil with special needs
  • developing methods of promoting/reinforcing the pupil’s self esteem and independence
  • providing individual or small group supervision in and out of the classroom for pupils with
    behavioural problems
  • establishing a supportive relationship with pupils
  • reinforcing the school ethos, e.g. expectations of behaviour within class and elsewhere on the school site and apply ‘The Downland Way’
  • supervising pupils on school activities and school trips
• Provide physical/personal care to pupils, e.g.
  • supervising pupils with medical needs, e.g. diabetes, epilepsy
• Supporting the teacher/s, e.g.
  • Using knowledge and experience of the pupils concerned, to contribute, with the class teacher (and other professionals as appropriate), in the development and evaluation of a suitable programme of support for children who need learning support
  • Contribute to the development of Behaviour Support Plans and reviews of pupil progress and engagement
  • In conjunction with the class teacher (and other professionals as appropriate) to develop system/s of recording pupil progress and contribute to the maintenance across a range of systems
  • Providing regular feedback about pupils to the teacher/s
  • Encouraging the social and emotional development of pupils by intervening in situations which call for adult supervision
• Supporting the curriculum
  • Support the delivery of the literacy and mathematics strategy along with other aspects of both the National Curriculum and the enhanced curriculum offered by the school.
  • Improve the classroom and school environment e.g. create displays that celebrate pupils’ achievement
• Supporting the school, e.g.
  • where appropriate, fostering and develop links between a pupil’s home (parent/carer) and school
  • assisting with setting up, storing and retrieving and general maintenance of classroom equipment and teaching aids, e.g. computers and computer software, resources, indoor and outdoor play equipment etc
  • helping to ensure the hygiene of the teaching environment in cases of sickness or soiling, with training
  • Ensure that all equipment for outings (e.g. drinks, food, weather protection, first aid) accompanies the pupils
  • Support at taxi arrival and drop off as directed

You will be expected to actively demonstrate the school’s core values and promote ‘The Downland Way’

In return we will offer you:

• a forward thinking and inclusive school environment
• a friendly and supportive community
• an inclusive and caring ethos
• good professional development and learning opportunities
• a well equipped and safe working environment

Enthusiasm and commitment to working with and raising achievement for pupils with SEMH is paramount to us.

Find out more and apply:

To apply, please download the application form and click the ‘apply now’ button below to upload your completed application form and a covering letter a letter of no more than 2 sides of A4, online. Please address the requirements of the post, as outlined in the and the Person Specification provided. We are particularly interested in how you would undertake this role at Downland School and about your relevant skills, qualities and experience to date. Applications received without a supporting letter will not be considered and CVs will not be accepted.

Job application privacy notice

Equality and diversity monitoring form (to support application forms)

We welcome visits to the school. Please contact Tanya Rhodes if you would like to arrange a visit in advance of applying admin@downland.wilts.sch.uk

Closing date (and time): 9am Monday 18th May 2026

Interview date: Week beginning 22nd June 2026

Commencement date: To be confirmed

Downland School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please note that this appointment is subject to enhanced DBS, medical and reference checks before appointment is confirmed.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings that are not ‘protected’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 & 2020). An enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful applicant.