Teaching Assistant

Great Hollands Primary School is seeking a compassionate, resilient and committed Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team, primarily supporting pupils within 'The Nest', our internal provision for children with high levels of additional need. This fixed-term role provides a rewarding opportunity to make a significant difference to the lives of vulnerable pupils by helping them access learning, develop positive relationships and achieve success within a nurturing and structured environment. The Nest supports children with a range of complex needs and barriers to learning. We are therefore looking for an individual who has experience of working with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or someone with a strong understanding of how to build trusting relationships with children who require additional support. As a Teaching Assistant within The Nest, you will work closely with teachers, SEND staff and pastoral colleagues to support pupils both academically and emotionally. You will help create a calm, consistent and nurturing environment, enabling children to engage successfully with learning and develop the skills needed to thrive in school. Whilst this role will be primarily based within The Nest, successful candidates should be aware that, in line with operational requirements, they may be asked to support pupils and classes in other phases of the school where required. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is patient, adaptable and passionate about inclusion, with a genuine desire to improve outcomes for children who need additional support to succeed., Pupil Support & Learning

• Support pupils with a range of special educational needs and additional learning barriers
• Work with individual pupils and small groups to deliver targeted interventions and learning activities
• Adapt learning activities to meet the needs of individual pupils
• Encourage independence, self-regulation and positive attitudes towards learning
• Promote engagement and participation in lessons and wider school life
• Support pupils to achieve their personalised learning and developmental targets
Inclusion, Wellbeing & Behaviour Support
• Build positive, trusting and supportive relationships with pupils
• Support pupils with emotional regulation and social development
• Use effective and consistent behaviour support strategies
• Help create a calm, safe and nurturing environment where children feel secure and valued
• Support children during times of emotional distress or heightened anxiety
• Promote pupil wellbeing and positive mental health
Classroom & Provision Support
• Prepare resources and learning materials to support individual needs
• Assist in maintaining a stimulating, organised and purposeful learning environment
• Support classroom routines and transitions throughout the day
• Work collaboratively with class teachers and SEND staff to monitor pupil progress
• Contribute to the implementation of support plans and intervention programmes
Teamwork & Professional Conduct
• Work collaboratively with teachers, support staff, external professionals and families
• Participate in meetings and contribute to discussions regarding pupil progress and support
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Uphold safeguarding responsibilities and school policies
• Work flexibly across different phases of the school when required to meet operational needs
  
  Experienced in working with children with SEND or other additional learning needs
• Calm, patient and empathetic in their approach
• Passionate about inclusion and supporting every child to achieve their potential
• Highly motivated in helping children make excellent progress, both academically and socially
• Able to build positive and trusting relationships with children who may find school challenging
• Resilient and able to remain professional when managing challenging situations
• Confident in responding appropriately to a wide range of pupil needs
• Flexible, proactive and able to use their own initiative
• Able to adapt learning and support strategies to meet individual needs
• Skilled in promoting positive behaviour and emotional regulation
We Are Looking For Someone Who Has:
• A Level 3 qualification or above (desirable)
• Experience of supporting children with SEND
• An understanding of inclusive practice and adaptive teaching approaches
• Knowledge of strategies to support behaviour, emotional regulation and engagement in learning
• Good organisational skills and flexibility
• A good standard of literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• The ability to develop positive, caring and professional relationships with children and families
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting children's wellbeing
  
  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 750 staff and 4,500 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision settings, we are proud of the diversity and expertise that exists across our Trust.
We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values underpin everything we do and shape our commitment to excellence, inclusion and continual improvement. Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues can access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference. Joining our Trust means becoming part of a community that values people, invests in development and works collectively to improve outcomes for children and young people. About Great Hollands Primary School Great Hollands Primary School is a high-performing primary school serving the Bracknell community. Consistently achieving exceptional outcomes, the school is proud to be among the highest-performing primary schools nationally while maintaining a strong commitment to inclusion and child-centred education. Our modern, well-equipped school provides a calm, purposeful and welcoming environment where both pupils and staff can flourish. We are proud of our rich curriculum, high expectations and the culture of support and collaboration that exists throughout the school. The Nest plays a vital role in our commitment to inclusive practice, enabling pupils with additional needs to access targeted support while remaining part of the wider school community. Staff working within the provision benefit from extensive collaboration with SEND, pastoral and teaching teams and have the opportunity to make a profound difference to pupils' educational experiences and life chances. Staff wellbeing is a key priority and we recognise the importance of creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to develop professionally throughout their careers., Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

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 through the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Annual Leave: Generous holiday entitlement.
• ME Day: One additional day's leave each year for a significant personal event.
• Professional Development: Access to high-quality CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute and wider Trust networks.
• Perkbox: Access to discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly reward points.
• Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations and eye tests for eligible staff.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Access to 24/7 support and wellbeing services.
• Mental Health First Aid Support.
• Recognition and Community: Regular celebration of staff achievements and contributions across #TeamMET.
• Employee Referral Scheme.
• Regular staff appreciation events, including complimentary breakfasts and lunches throughout the year.