Job Description

About Us

Oak Grove College - A wonderful place to work

Oak Grove College is a community generic special school providing special education for 281 students with learning difficulties/disabilities from Year 7 to Year 14. We are part of the Thrive Federation of Schools which also includes Palatine Primary School, Herons Dale School and Cornfield School.





We are immensely proud of our college and our community. We are committed to providing the very best for young people while they are with us, helping them to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and aspiration to succeed throughout their lives. We have a staff team of about 180 people, and we believe in looking after everyone well. We know that our staff team make the college what it is today and are the key to a successful future.





Staff are well supported by the leadership team and are offered opportunities to progress. We know that each and every one of our staff have a pivotal role to play and we believe in supporting everyone to achieve their potential. We have been awarded the Gold School Mental Health award, and our staff wellbeing and mental health is paramount to the success of Oak Grove College. Oak Grove College is a rewarding place to work, and staff report high levels of job satisfaction.





We know that our staff work hard to do their very best each day for our students and we believe in looking after them well in return. We pay for an extensive health and welfare support service for all our staff which includes physiotherapy, counselling, mindfulness support, menopause support, chronic illness support, weight management and much, much more.





Oak Grove College has convenient road and rail links with good public transport available. It is a 15-minute walk from Durrington-on-Sea train station, there is a bus stop just by the entrance, a large car park for those travelling by car and good pedestrian access for those on foot. West Sussex County Council staff can also obtain 15% staff discount on Southern Rail daily, weekly, monthly and annual tickets and are entitled to a range of other travel discounts and incentives too.





As part of our growth and commitment to providing exceptional educational experiences for all our students, we are excited to announce plans to open a new satellite site less than 2 miles from our existing campus. Candidates joining our team should be ready to embrace the unique opportunities the new location will offer and be prepared to work at both sites. This is a fantastic chance to be part of an innovative chapter in our school's development allowing us to continue to make a positive impact on student's lives across our community.





New employees joining Oak Grove College are guaranteed a warm welcome from the community. Our motto is that 'Everyone matters, every day counts' and we strongly believe that this should include our entire college community. We look forward to getting to know you better and helping you to play your part in providing the very best to our young people.

Job Details

Salary: 13.26 per hour

Contract Type: Temporary to Permanent

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 8.30 - 3.30pm, 32.5 hours per week, Term Time Only

Location: Oak Grove College, Worthing

Interviews: 06/06/2025

What You Need to Succeed

We are currently recruiting for a Teaching Assistant within our Arts Team - a dynamic, creative role that supports the delivery of inclusive, high-quality arts education. This position is ideal for someone with a strong passion for the arts (art, music, drama) and a deep belief in their transformative power in education, especially for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).



As a key member of the Arts Department, you will be instrumental in helping students access and engage with creative subjects through adapted, accessible and inspiring arts-based learning. You will work alongside specialist Arts Teachers to contribute to the planning, facilitation and assessment of artistic projects, performances, exhibitions, rehearsals and lessons. You will help foster students' creative expression, cultural understanding and confidence through the arts.





We are looking for individuals with some of the following skills, knowledge and experience:


a passion for the arts with an interest in arts education able to employ a wide variety of communication strategies confident in supporting young people with a range of learning needs, through the arts able to engage and motivate students flexibility to work across the whole college if/when required excellent organisational skills able to use initiative and work effectively in a team able to step in and lead lessons on occasions

Further Information

Oak Grove College and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

How to Apply

To apply for this role please download the job description and application form below. Complete the application form and ensure that you outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the job description). Once complete please return this to recruitment@oakgrovecollege.org.uk



Should you have any questions regarding the role or the application please feel free to email us or contact us on 01903 708870.

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The reference number for this role is SCHO00226.



Job Reference: SCHO00226