Most teaching assistant roles feel like you're firefighting all day, adapting on the fly with little support or vision. This is different. We're recruiting for a newly opening PMLD, SLD and MLD school where you'll be part of a small, forward-thinking team building something from the ground up, with real clarity about how to support children with complex needs to thrive
Imagine working somewhere that actually has time to know every child. This school is small by design. You'll support pupils with profound and severe learning difficulties, alongside those with moderate learning needs, in a setting where trauma-informed approaches aren't just policy words but how the team genuinely works every day. You'll see the same faces, build real relationships, and notice when a young person clicks with a new way of learning
The school is opening now, which means you're not joining something already set in concrete. You're helping shape how it runs. You'll work closely with teachers who are equally invested in getting this right, adapting support to individual needs, helping pupils develop independence and engagement, and using a behaviour approach grounded in understanding rather than punishment. That matters when you work with children whose behaviour tells a story about what they need
You'll handle classroom prep and resources, support record-keeping so everyone knows how each pupil is progressing, keep the learning space safe and organised, and champion the school's values every single day. It's real work, but it's purposeful. And the team around you is building this together
What you will be doing
- Assist pupils with learning activities, adapting your support to what each child actually needs under the teacher's guidance
- Support pupils' social, emotional and behavioural development using trauma-informed approaches that help you understand why a young person behaves the way they do
- Help manage behaviour in line with the school's behaviour policy, creating an environment where children feel safe and respected
- Encourage pupil engagement and build independence in learning tasks, celebrating progress however small
- Organise classrooms, prepare resources and keep the learning environment clean, safe and orderly
- Support record-keeping and monitoring of pupil progress so the team knows exactly how each child is doing
Why you will love working here
- Salary of £26,228 to £27,593 per year, full time (37.5 hours per week)
- NEST enhanced pension scheme, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, and life assurance so you're protected
- Fully funded training and qualifications for all colleagues so you grow in the role
- Refer a friend and split a £500 referral bonus, plus access to a blue light discount card and employee benefits including a wellbeing app
- Be part of a small, forward-thinking team that's shaping a brand new school where your input actually matters
Is this you?
- You're genuinely committed to supporting children with SEND and see past the behaviour to the young person underneath
- You have at least two years' experience working in a SEND environment or similar provision
- A level 3 TA qualification would be a real asset (but we'll work with you if you're keen and experienced)
- You're ready to join a small team that's building something new and doing it the right way
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.