Why work for us?

Our pupils thrive in a mature, supportive, purposeful and happy environment. They benefit immensely from working with our trained, talented and dedicated Class Teachers and support staff, and from participating in a wide range of exciting and inspiring extra-curricular activities. As a result they make excellent progress but also grow into wonderful young adults.

By joining Ellen Tinkham School, you can expect:

• High quality, bespoke Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Career Progression
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• An excellent employee assistance programme which includes physiotherapy, counselling, wellbeing and access to private healthcare if applicable
• Staff discounts including the Blue Light scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• A wide range of staff training and development opportunities, including work based teacher training

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.   All our staff across the Learn to Live Federation require an enhanced DBS disclosure and the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of their role with confidence and fluency in English.  Shortlisted candidates may be subject to online checks.  If you are interested in any of the vacancies detailed below, please complete an application form.  We do not accept CV's.

Current Vacancies

SENIOR HR OFFICER (PART TIME - 28 HOURS PER WEEK, 40 WEEKS PER ANNUM)

Are you an experienced Human Resources (HR) professional who is passionate about people, education and making a real difference?

The Learn to Live Federation is a dedicated special school community committed to nurturing and empowering children and young people aged 3 to 19 with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Our Federation comprises two Local Authority maintained special schools: Bidwell Brook, with 151 pupils, and Ellen Tinkham, with 237 pupils. All our pupils have Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs) and benefit from a highly inclusive environment tailored to meet a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We pride ourselves on delivering compassionate, personalised education that supports every learner to thrive and prepare for their next stage in life.

Required to start Autumn Term 2026.

The Learn to Live Federation is seeking a knowledgeable and proactive Senior HR Officer who can build strong relationships and provide trusted advice across a diverse organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for an HR professional who thrives in a busy and varied environment.

You will work closely with the Federation HR Manager and the HR Team, providing HR support and advice across the full employee lifecycle. You will help shape a positive workplace culture, ensure legal compliance, support organisational change and lead key HR processes that enable our schools to thrive.

What you'll be doing

No two days are the same in this varied role.

You will:

• Support and manage end-to-end recruitment and safer recruitment processes across the federation.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding requirements, including oversight of the Single Central Record (SCR) and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) processes.
• Provide high-quality HR advice and support to leaders and employees on a wide range of employment matters.
• Oversee absence management processes and attendance monitoring, across federation.
• Conduct absence review meetings as required, across federation.
• Complete absence management investigations, create investigation packs and progress to Governors absence hearings, across federation.
• Oversee occupational health referrals, manage outcomes and follow up actions across federation to ensure consistency, including advising on reasonable adjustments and supporting staff returning to work.
• Manage risk assessments across federation to ensure consistency in approach and focussing on best outcomes for students, classes and staff.
• Support employee relations matters, including performance management procedures.
• In the absence of the Federation HR Manager, manage disciplinary and grievance investigations.
• Co-ordinate training, induction programmes, INSET activities.
• Support organisational change initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
• Support the HR team, helping them grow in confidence and capability.

What you will bring to the role

• Substantial experience in HR and employee relations.
• Sound knowledge of pay, terms and conditions for teaching and support staff.
• Experience in managing sickness absence and attendance procedures.
• Experience in handling highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the confidence to engage with senior leaders, governors and staff at all levels.
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and HR information systems.
• Education to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.
• A relevant HR qualification at Level 4 or above.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
• A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and continuous professional development.
• As regular travel across the federation's three sites is required, the ability to travel according to the needs of the job, with reasonable adjustments, if required, according to the Equality Act will be required.

You will be:

• Professional, credible, approachable and solutions-focused.
• Able to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Passionate about continuous improvement and finding better ways of working.
• Skilled at interpreting legislation and policies and applying it confidently in a school environment.
• Diplomatic, resilient and trustworthy, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Committed to supporting colleagues and fostering positive employee relations.

At the Learn to Live Federation, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a supportive, collaborative and inclusive working environment where staff feel valued, empowered and able to develop their careers.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join our federation where your expertise will have a genuine impact on our schools, our staff and ultimately the children and communities we serve.

For further information, please email sbedford@bidwellbrook.devon.sch.uk.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.  This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.  Online searches may be done as part of pre-recruitment checks.  The salary for this role working 28 hours per week, 40 weeks per annum is £23,566.11 pa.

Please download the application form below and, once completed, return to sbedford@bidwellbrook.devon.sch.uk.

The school is closed over the summer holidays. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted on our return in September.

TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Everyone will be the best that they can be | Everyone has a voice | No one is excluded

Start Date: Autumn Term 2026/ASAP, Contract: Term time only, 39 weeks per year, Salary: £19,205.55

Ellen Tinkham School & College is a Special School for children and young people aged 3–19 with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties. We pride ourselves on providing a warm, supportive and child centred environment where every learner is valued and encouraged to thrive.

We are seeking a compassionate, enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our dedicated class teams. In this role, you will:

• Support students in accessing a personalised, child centred curriculum
• Help deliver pre-planned learning, care and therapy programmes
• Contribute to creating an inspiring, nurturing and inclusive learning environment
• Enable students to achieve their full educational and emotional potential

The Role

We currently have a range of Teaching Assistant opportunities available to suit different working patterns. Vacancies are available on a five-day, three-day and two-day per week basis, offering flexibility while supporting our pupils across the school. Please indicate within your application which working pattern you are interested in, and we will discuss the available opportunities with you as part of the recruitment process.

Role Details

• Hours: Monday to Friday, totalling 30 hours 45 minutes
• Working Pattern: 9.00am–3:30pm (with a 4.15pm finish on Tuesdays for team meetings)
• Salary: £19,205.55
• Contract: Term-time only, 39 weeks per year
• Part-time applicants are welcome, but must be available for the core hours above.

About You

Experience working with children in an educational setting is desirable but not essential — what matters most is positivity, empathy, reliability and a willingness to learn and follow guidance.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has excellent communication skills
• Is confident using IT
• Is adaptable, resilient and able to work well as part of a team

What We Offer

We offer a range of excellent benefits including:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Staff discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Childcare vouchers

How to Apply

A job description and application form are available below.  Please complete the application form and email to: recruitment@ellentinkham.devon.sch.uk

Please note: we do not accept CVs.

Ellen Tinkham School & College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

This role requires an enhanced DBS check and the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role confidently and fluently in English