DBS0915/26 - Teaching Assistant - Benton Dene School

North East Ambition; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A primary specialist provision in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking a passionate Teaching Assistant to support pupils with moderate learning difficulties and autism. The ideal candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team, demonstrating empathy, enthusiasm, and a strong commitment to pupil success. Additional offerings include career development opportunities and a supportive working environment. This term-time role underscores the importance of professional growth and communication within the school community.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Comprehensive induction programme

Wellbeing and support package for staff

Qualifications

• Good understanding of child development and specific experience with moderate learning difficulties and autism.
• Outstanding practitioner with professionalism and expertise.
• Commitment to professional development and pupil success.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with mild learning difficulties and autism.
• Work within a multi-professional team under teacher direction.
• Display enthusiasm and a positive attitude towards pupil development.

Skills

Child development understanding

Experience with primary aged children

Empathetic approach to communication

Problem-solving attitude

Excellent interpersonal skills

Job description

Overview

Teaching Assistant, Level 3, Grade 5. Term time only 39 weeks: 37 hours per week. START DATE: 23/02/26 or earlier.

Benton Dene School is a highly successful primary specialist provision for pupils with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) and/or pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We share our site with a mainstream primary school, in an integrated primary learning campus with excellent grounds and facilities.

Due to significant growth, the Governors of this innovative and inclusive school wish to appoint creative, hard-working, enthusiastic and highly motivated teaching assistants who will contribute fully to raising standards. We have an outstanding staff team, an exciting and creative approach to the curriculum and wonderful children.

Benton Dene’s curriculum and assessment approach is designed to provide a vast array of exciting learning opportunities for children as well as preparing them for adulthood. The school’s curriculum approach is based on the National Curriculum and is continuously evolving to meet the holistic needs of our inspirational pupils including the incorporation of communication strategies, sensory regulation strategies, outdoor learning and life skills. The school is recognised for its expertise by providing outreach to schools across North Tyneside and the North Tyneside Learning Trust.

You can find out more about the school via our website: www.bentondeneschools.org.uk/ and Facebook page.

Applicants must have a good understanding of child development and preferably the development of those with moderate learning difficulties and autism. The role will involve working as part of a multi-professional team on a daily basis and working under the direction of Teachers and Higher Level Teaching Assistants.

Responsibilities

• Outstanding, experienced practitioners who display professionalism, expertise, enthusiasm and have experience in working with primary aged children with MLD and Autism to enable them to succeed.
• A commitment to and a passion for building a brighter future for pupils with Special Educational Needs.
• An empathetic approach to supporting personal care, communication and behaviour.
• A solution focused, enthusiastic and positive attitude within the whole school community.
• Commitment to your own professional development.
• Consistently high expectations and aspirations for our pupils and yourself.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Complete commitment to the core ethos and values of Benton Dene School.

We can offer you

• An opportunity to work with highly-skilled multi-disciplinary professionals who love what they do.
• Excellent career development opportunities.
• Comprehensive induction programme.
• Opportunity to work in a setting which values multi-disciplinary ways of working.
• High quality professional development opportunities.
• A comprehensive wellbeing and support package for staff.

How to apply and safeguarding

Candidates are warmly invited to contact Claire Harrison-Hoggarth, Headteacher, for an informal discussion and are strongly encouraged to arrange a visit to the school prior to application.

Further details of the requirements of the post are outlined in the job description. The closing date for this post is Thursday 22nd January 2026 at 9am, with interviews currently scheduled for the afternoons of Thursday 29th January and Friday 30th January 2026.

Benton Dene School is committed to safeguarding its pupils. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), have two fully supportive references from current employers/placements and will need to carry out the schools safeguarding code of conduct.

As part of our Safer Recruitment practice and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, we will undertake an online search for all candidates who are shortlisted to attend an interview. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with additional information about this prior to interview.