Job title: Education Support Assistant
Salary: PATH 5 £27,275 FTE, £20,606 prorated
Hours: 32.5 per week
Working weeks: 39 per year (term time + INSET)
Contract type: Fixed term until 31/08/2027
About the role
The ideal person will reinforce the excellent work of the teaching staff by supporting the individual both within and outside of the classroom environment. You will be a professional role model to the pupils, with the confidence to challenge and the creativity to motivate. Your key role will be delivering targeted interventions to identified students who need additional support with maintaining high expectations as directed, and help identify personal aspirations. You will work as part of a team to promote the emotional, physical and educational development of pupils, including those with special needs.
About you
You’re someone who brings warmth and a deep commitment to inclusive education. You understand that every student is unique and you’re ready to support them in reaching their full potential.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has experience supporting pupils with individual needs, particularly those with EHCPs
- Can work independently, take initiative, and adapt to changing needs
- Is confident delivering pre-planned lessons to small groups
- Builds strong, positive relationships with students, staff, and families
- Is a role model for professionalism, positivity, and care
- Communicates clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing
- Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
- Has a good level of general education
- Holds a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification—or is willing to work towards it
About us
The Castle School, we are proud of our strong track record of academic achievement and pastoral care for our students. Situated in Thornbury we have great transport links with Bristol, Bath, Gloucester and South Gloucestershire.
As part of a family of trust schools, The Castle School currently has 1,426 students and is shaped by our clear values, kindness, fairness and aspiration. This inclusive culture is reflected in our outstanding student conduct, a genuine sense of belonging and an on-site alternative provision that ensures every learner has the support to succeed. We have a thriving Post-16 centre, a committed junior leadership team and a strong track record of supporting our local community.
We can offer you:
- Happy, engaging students who thrive on inspirational leadership
- A supportive trust and school community
- Strong collaboration across the trust family of schools and access to a centralised team of specialists across all areas of school operations
- A commitment to high‑quality CPD, with dedicated time and budget for your development
- A values‑driven ethos where diversity, equity and inclusion are lived every day
- Recognition of continuous service (modification order) to protect employment rights and entitlements
- Teachers’ Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions and death‑in‑service cover
- Access to Health Shield, a fully funded healthcare scheme
- Occupational sick pay to support you during illness or unexpected emergencies
- Family‑friendly leave packages to help maintain a healthy work–life balance
In order to apply for this role please complete an application form by 9am, 25th September. Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the process.
Please know that depending on the number of applications received we may decide to close the advert early. If you do not hear from us by a week after the closing date then please assume that you have not been shortlisted for an interview. We wish you all the best in your future and ask that you join our E-Teach Talent Pool so as to keep up to date with all of our latest current opportunities.
Join us in Providing a Great Education for Every Child
Pathway Trust is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and communities, as we recognise the importance and benefit this has for our pupils.
Pathway Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles across the trust have a varying level of responsibility for ensuring safeguarding practice, with some roles holding significant responsibility and involving working with children on a daily basis in regulated activity. Regardless of the level of responsibility and involvement in each role, we expect all staff, visiting professionals and volunteers to share this commitment.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. Successful candidates will be required to provide a disclosure of any unspent convictions and cautions, as well as any spent convictions or cautions that are not "protected" (i.e., filtered) under the Amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). All appointments are subject to a comprehensive pre-employment checking process. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (including a Children’s Barred List check), satisfactory references, medical fitness, Right to Work in the UK, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching/management check. In line with KCSIE guidance, we will also conduct online searches on all shortlisted candidates.
Our full Recruitment and Selection policy is available on our website.