Teaching Assistant (18 hours per week)

We are seeking to recruit an extraordinary person to join our extraordinary school. Dunedin School is:

• A school with no headteacher, which is managed by all the staff as a team

• A welcoming, intimate school with a maximum of 21 pupils, no bells or uniforms

• A friendly and compassionate school, where young people’s lives can be turned around

Dunedin School is looking to appoint a friendly, positive and flexible Teaching Assistant, who has a sensitive understanding of the difficulties young people often face in their learning journeys. As well as helping the teachers, the Teaching Assistant has the opportunity to enhance the caring and supportive ethos of the school by undertaking a variety of tasks in every area of school life.

Job Description - under review

To Assist Teaching Staff:

• Assist in class: read, scribe, keep pupils on task, help pupils with their work

• Work one-to-one with pupils with their literacy and numeracy, and assist with set work

• Provide pastoral support to vulnerable young people

• Help pupils develop their social and life skills, e.g. taking them to the shop, travel on buses

• Join in sporting and outdoor education activities

• Celebrate pupils’ achievements, e.g. making certificates

• Supervise classes as needed

To Support the School Administrator. Examples of tasks include:

• Filing, photocopying, typing-up documents

• Organising school trips: booking activities, consent forms, risk assessments

• Running errands, e.g. post office, recycling, shopping

• Attending staff meetings

• Taking the register

Additional Tasks

Additionally, the Teaching Assistant may sometimes contribute to, or take the lead on, various pupil centred administrative and day-to-day management duties, e.g.

• Supervising pupils during break and lunchtimes

• Planning/organising outdoor and out-of-school activities

• Managing the school’s petty cash system

This job description gives a broad picture of the post as it currently stands. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties, and it is recognised that the role may change and evolve over time.

Qualities, Qualifications and Experience

Qualities

The qualities we are looking for include:

• Adaptability/ Flexibility

• Motivation

• Empathy

• Ability to work as part of a team and individually

• Willingness to help in all aspects of school life

• Computer literacy

• Creativity

• Understanding of the needs of young people, especially the importance of effective relationships

• Organisation

• Ability to communicate effectively

Qualifications and Experience: Essential

• Higher Maths and English

• Experience of working with young people

Other information

• A contributory pension scheme and death in service benefit are available after the end of the probationary period.

• All appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a PVG Scheme Record or Scheme Record Update from Disclosure Scotland.

For further details of the position, information about the school and application and recruitment process, please visit our website: Dunedin School | Edinburgh

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 16 June 2026

Interview date: Wednesday 22 July 2026