Student Development Support Departmental Assistant - Term Time

Oakwood Park Grammar School, Maidstone

• Ref:KCC886-5422-220S
• Posted:18/03/2026
• Pay:Oakwood Scale 6
• Start Date:April 2026
• App Close Date:30/03/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

Student Development & Support Departmental Assistant

Term time plus one week of Inset, 35 hours per week

Salary: £26,393 Full Time Equivalent (£21,762 pro rata)

Start date: April 2026

We are seeking a committed, organised and compassionate individual to join our Student Development & Support team as a Departmental Assistant. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting students with additional needs and helping them to thrive both academically and personally.

Working closely with the SENCO, you will support the identification of student needs, contribute to targeted interventions, and provide vital pastoral support within the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the early identification of student needs through liaison with staff and analysis of information
• Assist with referrals to external agencies, including Children’s Services and NHS pathways
• Carry out student assessments (e.g. literacy, vocabulary, EAL testing) and support analysis of outcomes
• Deliver small-group interventions (e.g. literacy, social communication, study skills) and monitor their impact
• Provide in-class observations to support understanding of student needs
• Offer pastoral support, including emotional regulation and study support
• Maintain accurate student records across systems such as SIMS and departmental tracking tools
• Support the development and communication of strategies for teaching staff

What We Are Looking For

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Confidence working with young people in a school environment
• Good IT skills, particularly in Excel
• A proactive and flexible approach, with strong problem-solving skills

Desirable Experience

• Experience working in a classroom or educational setting
• Experience supporting students with additional needs

This role would suit someone who is passionate about supporting young people, particularly those with additional needs, and who enjoys working as part of a collaborative and supportive team.

Why Join Us?

• A welcoming and inclusive school community
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to students’ lives
• A supportive and experienced SEN team
• Ongoing professional development opportunities

How To Apply

Please visit our website at www.opgs.org for further information. To apply, please send your completed application form and covering letter to the Headteacher, via Mrs J Nichol at  jnichol@opgs.org by the closing date of 30^th March 2026 at midday.

Applications will only be accepted on the school application form: CVs and other forms are not accepted.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy if a suitable candidate is appointed.

OPGS is committed to creating an inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of background, identity, or personal circumstances, and we actively promote equality of opportunity for all.

Information about the school

Oakwood Park Grammar School is a five-form entry (usually 160 in each year) Boys’ Grammar School of currently 1095 students. We have a co-educational Sixth Form of 311 students. Entry at 11 to the school is through the Kent Test (11+) where students sit three papers in Mathematics, English and Reasoning.

We have been on the site since 1959 and we share an attractive campus with two schools (St Augustine Academy and St Simon Stock) and a college of Further Education (Mid-Kent College). This gives the site a unique feel with over four thousand students.

Our teaching and support staff are dedicated and hardworking and very loyal to the school.

Oakwood Park Grammar School has a wealth of extra-curricular activities for its students. Sport is very strong with national success in football, alongside rugby, cricket, basketball and athletics. We also cater for rowing, fencing, table tennis and climbing. Music and Drama are also popular with an annual production. We also have other extra-curricular activities such as robotics, debating and chess.

Academic standards are high at both GCSE and A Level. In the Sixth Form, on average, well over half of our students who apply to universities will secure offers from prestigious Russell Group universities and we regularly send students to Oxbridge colleges.

We were graded Good overall by Ofsted but did achieve Outstanding for our Behaviour and our Sixth Form provision.

We are a welcoming, open school with a clear focus on developing staff, with teaching and learning at the heart of our professional development.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Mrs J Nichol
• Address:Oakwood Park, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8AH
• Telephone: (01622) 726683
• Email: jnichol@opgs.org

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Job description