Exciting, rarely available pastoral role! Pastoral Teaching Assistant (part time) EYFS/KS1/KS2

About the role

Are you kind, curious and ambitious? Are you passionate about primary education and children's well-being?

Oakwood is a 1.5 form of entry community in St Albans. We were delighted to be recently graded as "Good" by Ofsted across all areas. Ofsted noted that "Adults empower pupils and there is mutual respect for everyone. Pupils like the many ‘golden’ rewards available and behave well. The school is mindful of staff well-being and workload. Staff are positive about working here."

We pride ourselves on embodying our core school values of kindness, curiosity and ambition within our broad and balanced curriculum. We have a wonderful community of children, staff, parents and governors and we are looking for a caring, energetic and adaptable Pastoral Teaching Assistant to join our supportive team. 

The main purpose of this role is to deliver bespoke pastoral intervention programmes to individual children and small groups. This is likely to include Protective Behaviours, Zones of Regulation and other similar programmes. We are able to offer this position on a 2 or 3 day per week basis, or for 4 or 5 afternoons per week.

The role also includes being part of our Play Team, who assist with the implementation of our OPAL lunch time programme.

This role may also include usual Teaching Assistant duties (for example to cover absence) including 1:1 support for children with complex and significant special educational needs (SEND).

We are looking for someone who:

• embodies our core values of Kindness, Curiosity and Ambition
• has a nurturing ethos and prioritises children's well-being and personal development
• has an understanding of pastoral interventions, such as Zones of Regulation, and how these can support children's personal and social development
• models an excellent standard of spoken and written English
• is passionate about promoting all children's learning across the curriculum, including children with SEND
• has stamina and is able to be physically active
• is committed to the development of children's independence
• is flexible, adaptable and positive in outlook

The successful candidate will benefit from:

• a friendly, supportive staff team and community
• a paid wellbeing day each year
• term-time only working
• eager, motivated pupils who are proud of their school
• a school committed to a relational approach
• engaged, knowledgeable and supportive parents and governors
• CPD opportunities
• access to wellbeing support including physiotherapy through our subscription to Schools Advisory Service
• a well-resourced school with fabulous grounds
• free onsite parking

The position is to start as soon as possible. 

Please specify your preferred working days and hours in your application. The usual teaching assistant hours are 8.30am to 3.30pm but we have flexibility with this. You would be expected to attend all INSET days (five per year). 

School visits are warmly welcomed. You can also view our website. To arrange a visit, please contact our PA to the Head, Mrs Tavener. Contact with the school office is best made via telephone or email.

Shortlisting will take place on application and an early application is an advantage as we may close the vacancy when we feel we have sufficient candidates from which to make a good appointment.

Candidates should align their application to the attached job description.

Oakwood Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children. We follow safer recruitment guidelines when advertising and employing new staff and the post would be subject to an enhanced DBS check, reference checks, medical check and an online social media search in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education and our Safer Recruitment Policy. By submitting and signing your application, you acknowledge that such searches will be conducted before appointment.

We truly welcome all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity and religion.