“The Unicorn School has been truly lifechanging for my child and me.”Application packTeaching AssistantTeaching AssistantAbout the Schoolwww.unicornoxford.co.ukAt The Unicorn School, we transform the lives of children with learningdifferences and those of their families. With a personalised curriculum, highly qualified staff, cutting-edge technologyand kindness, we create the conditions for children to thrive and families toflourish. We are a small, independent school for children aged 7 to 16 years. Wespecialise in helping children who are struggling to achieve their potential inmainstream education. These children might have a diagnosis of dyslexia,dyscalculia or dyspraxia, often with co-occurring Autism or ADHD. This canpresent as difficulties with language, speech, literacy or numeracy that are likelyto have a significant impact on their self-esteem, happiness and futureopportunities. www.unicornoxford.co.ukExpansionTeaching AssistantIn 2024, we received 375 enquiries for 24 places from parents who aredesperate to find a school that can support their child or from six localauthorities who have hundreds of children on their waiting lists. Therefore, thereis a clear need to expand.In September 2025 we opened our new school building, The Ock Buidling. Thissecond site is opposite our existing school, enabling us to double in size. The sitealso means that we can offer a post-16, life skills provision for the first time. This expansion presents exciting opportunities for our staff as well as ourstudents and their families as we grow our student body and breadth of ourcurriculum, especially at KS4.Benefits of working with us www.unicornoxford.co.ukSupportive staff, and an involved community who are committed to schoolimprovement, who will work with you to achieve your goalsStudents who are enthusiastic and highly motivated with a love of learningExcellent premises and well-equipped classrooms providing a modern andtechnologically advanced learning environment for students. FromSeptember 2025 KS4 are housed in a newly developed building across theroad.The opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of our studentsA competitive salary (including a staff laptop) and pension contributionsProfessional support to continually progress and develop your careerAccess to Simply HealthTeaching AssistantJob descriptionwww.unicornoxford.co.ukWe are pleased to announce that, due to our exciting expansion programme, TheUnicorn School is seeking to recruit enthusiastic and dedicated professionals tojoin our dynamic and friendly team. Our school is heavily oversubscribed, andwith the acquisition of a second site, we are poised to offer post-16 education forthe first time. This expansion underscores our commitment to providingexceptional education and creating additional opportunities for our students. A Teaching Assistant is required to join the team on a part-time, permanentbasis to support in key stage 3. (Two days per week – ideally Monday andTuesday). You will be adept at helping our students and leading them throughchallenges in their learning, so they make the best possible progress in each andevery lesson.   Our school offers achievement, opportunity and challenge to our students withina supportive environment. The students have a passion and desire to excel inlearning. We are looking for conscientious and hard-working individuals who arepassionate about education and pay meticulous attention to detail.  All Teaching Assistants are responsible for supporting effective pastoral care todevelop pupils' social and emotional progress as well as their learning. They arealso required to contribute and be involved in extracurricular activities and thewider life of the school community. Key Responsibilities and Duties  To aid the pupils to learn as effectively as possible both in group situationsand on their own, by:Clarifying and explaining instructionsEnsuring pupils are able to use the equipment and materials providedHelping pupils to concentrate on and finish work setLiaising with class teacherEstablish a supportive relationship with pupilsTo encourage acceptance and inclusion of pupilsTo develop methods of promoting/reinforcing the children’s self-esteem.To attend relevant training both in school and externalTeaching Assistantwww.unicornoxford.co.ukTo conduct yourself in line with school policies and organisation ethosTo be aware of confidential issues linked to home/pupil/teacher/school workand to keep confidences appropriately.To undertake duties before, during and after school and to get involved inextracurricular activities.Teaching AssistantThe Unicorn School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare ofall its pupils. As a teaching assistant, you will be expected to:  Work in line with the school's safeguarding and child protection policies andprocedures, as well as relevant statutory guidance (e.g., Keeping ChildrenSafe in Education, Prevent)Collaborate with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) to ensure the bestinterests of pupils are promoted, including sharing concerns where necessaryMaintain a vigilant and proactive approach to identifying and responding topotential safeguarding issuesParticipate in regular safeguarding training to keep your knowledge andunderstanding up to datePromote a culture of safeguarding and pupil welfare throughout your work atthe schoolCommitment to Safeguarding and WelfareTeaching AssistantMaking an applicationApplication FormCVs are not accepted as part of the application process. If you wish to beconsidered for this post, please complete the application form, providing fulldetails of your education and employment history, including any unpaid orvoluntary work. Where there are gaps in your employment, please state thereasons why (eg. gap year, career break, unemployment etc).You will note that we require details of two referees, one of which must be yourcurrent or most recent employer.Suitability for this PositionThis section of the form is very important. It gives you an opportunity to explainwhy you are applying and why you are the best person for this job. Use theinformation provided in this application pack as your guide, and give specificexamples, where possible, to demonstrate how you match the requirements forthis post.Please remember to sign the declaration on the final page of the applicationform.Please return your completed application form to:recruitment@unicornoxford.co.uk marked for the attention of AlisonWoodworth-Sturla.Alternatively, if you are submitting a hard copy application, please post to:FAO Diane KenyonThe Unicorn School20 Marcham RoadAbingdonOX14 1AAwww.unicornoxford.co.ukTeaching AssistantInterview and selection processThose candidates who meet all the requirements for the post will be shortlistedand details of the interview programme will be confirmed in writing.As part of the selection process, in addition to your skills and knowledge againstthe requirements of this role, specific questions will be asked to assess yoursuitability to work with children.Under the Equality Act 2010, we are legally required to consider makingreasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged inthe recruitment and selection process. We are therefore committed to meeting,wherever possible, any needs you may specify on the application form. Pleasecontact the school if you need to discuss this in any detail.We will consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Equality Actto enable an applicant with a disability (as defined under the act) to meet therequirements of the post.Induction and continuous professional developmentThe Head Teacher and School Governing Body are committed to ensuring yourwell-being and continuous professional development in this role. Onappointment, the Head Teacher will discuss an appropriate induction programmewith you which will help familiarise you with the culture of the school, localpractices and policies.You will be offered the opportunity to further develop your professionalknowledge by participating in local training events and, where appropriate,working towards further qualifications such as NVQs. Support staff employees new to The Unicorn School will be subject to aprobationary period of 6 months.www.unicornoxford.co.ukTeaching AssistantReferencesIf you are shortlisted, we will normally take up references before the interviewdate; however there is an option to decline this on the application form. If you donot give permission to contact your referees prior to interview, we will onlycontact them should an offer be made and accepted. One of your referees must beyour current or most recent employer. Two satisfactory references must bereceived before we confirm any offer of an appointment. The information werequest will relate to salary, length of service, sickness and absence record,skills and abilities, suitability for the job, disciplinary record and suitability towork with children. Copies of references, or references addressed “to whom it may concern”, will notbe accepted. On receipt of references, your referees may be contacted to verifyany discrepancies, anomalies, or relevant issues as part of the recruitmentverification process.Pre-employment checkswww.unicornoxford.co.ukDisclosure & Barring ChecksEmployment at this school is subject to an enhanced check with the Disclosure &Barring Service. Registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority willalso be a requirement prior to confirming an offer of employment.Under the Rehabilitation ofOffenders Act 1974 (ExemptionAmendment) Order 1986, thereare a number of jobs where wemust take account of convictions,even though they are ‘spent’. Allposts at this school are regardedas such.However, spent and/or unspentconvictions may not necessarilymake you unsuitable for anappointment.Teaching AssistantRight to Work in the United KingdomUnder the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, it is a criminal offence to employanyone who is not entitled to live or work in the United Kingdom. Applicants canexpect us to ask for proof of this at interview stage, where you will be asked toprovide some original documentation to confirm that you are eligible to workwithin the UK. Photographic proof of identity will also be required.Medical AssessmentA satisfactory medical form will be required before we confirm any offer of anappointment. If there are concerns, a medical assessment will be required.www.unicornoxford.co.ukValidation of QualificationsAll short-listed candidates will be asked to bring original certificates of relevantqualifications to interview. These will be photocopied and kept on file and may beconfirmed as genuine with the relevant awarding bodies.School Nurse