Spanish Language Assistant at Sarah Bonnell School

About this Role

SPANISH LANGUAGE ASSISTANT

Job Role: Spanish Language Assistant

Salary: Scale 4, Points 7-10

Location: Sarah Bonnell School, Deanery Road, London, E15 4LP

Closing Date: 30th September 2026

Contract: Part Time, Fixed Term 18 hours per week

Please note applications will be considered on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early and interview and appoint candidates before the advertised closing date.

Due to the high volume of applications we may receive, we regret that we may not be able to provide individual feedback to all applicants.

We are seeking applicants who are native or bilingual Spanish speakers, or who have a high level of proficiency in spoken Spanish. This is an essential requirement for the role, as the successful candidate will be required to provide a high level of oral language support to our students.

The Spanish Language Assistant will work closely with the Spanish teaching team to support students in developing their confidence, fluency and accuracy in Spanish, with a particular emphasis on oral communication and authentic language use.

The successful candidate will contribute to high-quality learning experiences, targeted intervention and cultural enrichment, helping students to make strong progress from their starting points and develop a genuine enthusiasm for Spanish language and culture.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting Attainment and Progress

• Support the class teacher in ensuring that all students, including those with SEND, make strong progress across the four language skills, with particular emphasis on speaking and listening.
• Support the identification of students who require additional support and deliver targeted individual or small-group interventions.
• Monitor and communicate students' progress, engagement and areas of concern to the class teacher.
• Keep appropriate records of intervention and monitor student attendance at intervention sessions.
• Provide opportunities for students to develop their vocabulary, pronunciation, fluency, literacy and communication skills.
• Encourage students to become confident and independent users of Spanish.
• Support strategies designed to address underachievement and celebrate student achievement.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

• Work collaboratively with Spanish teachers to plan and deliver high-quality language-learning activities and support sessions.
• Lead or support individual, paired and small-group activities, particularly those focused on speaking, listening, pronunciation and conversational skills.
• Use authentic Spanish-language materials, including websites, articles, videos, literature, magazines and other resources, to enhance students' learning.
• Model accurate Spanish pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary and grammatical structures.
• Systematically check students' understanding and respond appropriately to misconceptions or gaps in knowledge.
• Use imaginative and well-judged strategies to meet the needs of individual learners and support progress from their starting points.
• Provide constructive and meaningful verbal feedback and contribute to written feedback where appropriate and in line with departmental policy.
• Support students in preparing for speaking assessments, mock examinations and examinations where appropriate.
• Promote high expectations of effort, behaviour and achievement.
• Generate enthusiasm and commitment to learning amongst all students.
• Promote students' confidence, independence and resilience, encouraging them to take risks and communicate in Spanish without fear of making mistakes.

Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare

• Establish positive, respectful and professional relationships with students.
• Contribute to a calm, inclusive and positive learning environment where students feel safe and confident to participate.
• Promote high levels of engagement, courtesy, collaboration and cooperation.
• Promote high expectations of behaviour and learning in accordance with whole-school policies.
• Manage behaviour consistently and appropriately within language support sessions, following the school's behaviour policy.
• Encourage students to develop confidence, independence, resilience and respect for others.
• Be aware of safeguarding concerns and unsafe situations and follow the school's safeguarding procedures at all times.
• Uphold the school's expectations regarding professional conduct, attendance and punctuality.

Working with Staff and the Spanish Department

• Work closely and positively with the Curriculum Leader, Spanish teachers and other members of staff.
• Contribute to collaborative planning and the development of engaging Spanish language activities.
• Share ideas, resources and examples of effective practice with colleagues.
• Communicate effectively with teachers regarding student progress, participation, behaviour and areas requiring further support.
• Be open to coaching, mentoring, feedback and professional dialogue.
• Participate in relevant departmental and whole-school meetings.
• Take part in staff appraisal and engage actively with appropriate CPD and professional development.
• Contribute positively to quality assurance activities where appropriate.

General Responsibilities

• Contribute positively to the wider life and ethos of the school.
• Uphold the school's policies, expectations and code of conduct.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism, attendance and punctuality.
• Attend relevant staff, departmental, training and parents' meetings as required.
• Complete relevant training, including safeguarding and professional development.
• Support the school in promoting high expectations, inclusion and student success.
• Undertake other reasonable duties.

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY: We are committed to and champion equality and diversity in all aspects of employment within the London Borough of Newham. All employees are expected to understand and promote equality and diversity in the course of their work.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN: This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold all relevant procedures. Reference should be made to the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document and the National Standards for Teachers. It is a requirement that teachers meet these standards