Teaching Assistant

Role: Teaching Assistant – X2 Maternity Cover

Location: Bedford College – Cauldwell Street Campus

Salary/Benefits: Salary is between £23,557 and £25,849 per annum (Pro-Rata) DOE and Qualifications, People's pension, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.

Hours/Weeks: 37 hours per week

Contract Type: Fixed Term – Term Time – 1 vacancy is for 6 months, the other for 12 months

About the role:

We are currently seeking two Teaching Assistants to join our Foundation Learning & Additional Learning Support department at The Bedford College Group on a Fixed Term basis (Maternity Cover).

As a Teaching Assistant, you play an important role in the success of our students through:

• Student-Centred Support – Provide tailored one-to-one and small group support for students with SEND across Level 1 to Level 3 courses, helping them access learning and develop independence.
• Collaborative Delivery – Work under the direction of ALS Team Leaders and teaching staff to implement strategies from individual support plans and EHCPs, contributing to learner progress and wellbeing.
• Resource & Record Management – Prepare and maintain learning resources, monitor progress, and maintain accurate records including support cards, ISPs, and review reports.
• Team Engagement & Events – Actively participate in team meetings, mentoring new staff, and supporting college events such as open days, transitions, and work placements.
• Safeguarding & Inclusion – Promote equality, diversity, and safeguarding, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment while supporting learners both in and out of the classroom.

About you:

• Qualifications & Technical Skills – Educated to Level 2 in Maths and English, with a relevant Level 3 qualification (or willingness to work towards), and proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• SEND Knowledge & Experience – Working knowledge of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, with experience supporting young people in educational or care settings.
• Communication & Teamwork – Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to work independently and collaboratively, with a positive, empathetic, and adaptable attitude.
• Organisation & Professionalism – Capable of maintaining accurate records, contributing to a high-quality learning environment, and promoting the College's reputation within the community.
• Safeguarding & Flexibility – Committed to safeguarding and maintaining professional boundaries, with a willingness to work across all sites and support learners in varied settings.

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.

Interviews to be held: TBC

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational VISION values:

• Valuing Teamwork - We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
• Improving Continuously - We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
• Student Centred - At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
• Inclusive - We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
• Open and Caring - We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
• Nurturing Education Excellence - We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.

About The Bedford College Group

The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year.

Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire: Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for Motorsport alongside Silverstone race circuit. To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.

Safeguarding our Students

The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group's policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy.

Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.