Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant (18 hours per week)

£16.48 per hour

We are seeking to recruit an extraordinary person to join our extraordinary school.

• A school with no headteacher, which is managed by all the staff as a team
• A welcoming, intimate school with a maximum of 21 pupils, no bells or uniforms
• A friendly and compassionate school, where young people’s lives can be turned around

Dunedin School is looking to appoint a friendly, positive and flexible Teaching Assistant, who has a sensitive understanding of the difficulties young people often face in their learning journeys. As well as working with teachers, the Teaching Assistant has the opportunity to enhance the caring and supportive ethos of the school by undertaking a variety of tasks in every area of school life.

• Assist in class: read, scribe, keep pupils on task, help pupils with their work
• Work one-to-one with pupils with their literacy and numeracy, and assist with set work
• Provide pastoral support to vulnerable young people
• Help pupils develop their social and life skills, e.g. taking them to the shop, travel on buses
• Join in sporting and outdoor education activities
• Celebrate pupils’ achievements, e.g. making certificates
• Supervise classes as needed

• Filing, photocopying, typing-up documents
• Organising school trips: booking activities, consent forms, risk assessments
• Running errands, e.g. post office, recycling, shopping
• Attending staff meetings
• Taking the register

Additionally, the Teaching Assistant may sometimes contribute to, or take the lead on, various pupil-centred administrative and day-to-day management duties, e.g.:

• Supervising pupils during break and lunchtimes
• Planning/organising outdoor and out-of-school activities
• Managing the school’s petty cash system

This job description gives a broad picture of the post as it currently stands. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties, and it is recognised that the role may change and evolve over time.

• Adaptability / Flexibility
• Motivation
• Empathy
• Ability to work as part of a team and individually
• Willingness to help in all aspects of school life
• Computer literacy
• Creativity
• Understanding of the needs of young people, especially the importance of effective relationships
• Organisation
• Ability to communicate effectively

• Higher Maths and English
• Experience of working with young people

• A contributory pension scheme and death in service benefit are available after the end of the probationary period.
• All appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a PVG Scheme Record or Scheme Record Update from Disclosure Scotland.