Teaching Assistant - Secondary School

Witherslackgroup; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading special education provider in the UK seeks a dedicated Teaching Assistant to support children with special educational needs. You will work closely with students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, helping them to thrive in a nurturing environment. Training will be provided, making this role ideal for those with a passion for supporting young people. The position offers a rewarding career path with comprehensive benefits in an inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Full school holidays

Training and induction

Career progression opportunities

Flexible benefits

Wellbeing support

Medical cover

Pension scheme

£1,000 bonus for referrals

Qualifications

• Genuine passion for supporting children to learn and grow.
• Can do attitude and strong team player.
• Experience in a classroom is beneficial but training can be provided.

Responsibilities

• Support children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.
• Help young people develop their abilities and raise self-esteem.
• Work closely with teachers and therapists.

Skills

Passion for supporting children

Team player

Adaptability

Job description

Overview

Our Teaching Assistants are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things. There’s lots of ups and downs, and to some of our young people, sitting through a lesson can be a big win. We call these huge small victories and whilst they may seem small on the surface, they add up to make a big difference.

You’ll be working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. You’ll be there to help them learn, develop their abilities and raise their self-esteem. You will need to be resilient and dedicated, but those huge small victories that you achieve will be something you’re really proud of.

It can be a tough journey, but the positive steps forward will more than make up for it. As a Teaching Assistant at Witherslack Group, you’ll get all the support you need to succeed. Your colleagues will be the best at what they do, the school environments will be well-resourced and we’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you build a rewarding teaching career.

About the setting

You’ll be joining Ashbrooke School, one of the leading SEN settings in the North East. A purpose-built school with specialist classrooms, extensive grounds and sporting facilities, plus a new purpose-built primary provision – Ashbrooke supports young people with ADHD, ASD, SEMH and SLCN and was recently rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

What we do for you

We know you’re going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you’ll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:

• Training: A full induction and on the job training
• Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with full school holidays
• Progression: If career development is your thing, most of our head teachers and leaders have been promoted from within our group
• Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance – check out our benefits here
• Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
• Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
• Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities – check out our schools here
• A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
• Contributory pension (matched up to 5%)

Bring your whole-self to work

Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves. You’ll be more than a Teaching Assistant, you’ll be able to connect with our pupils because of:

• Your ‘can do’ attitude – a team player who rolls up their sleeves to help others
• Ideally you’ll have experience working in a classroom, but if not, we can provide you with all the relevant training
• Your genuine passion for supporting children to learn and the impact it can have on their lives
• Your enthusiasm and expertise to support the teacher and work closely with our therapists

Interested in joining us?

At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong.

As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference—especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way.

By building a diverse and inclusive team, we’re better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

To view our full job description and person specification, please click here. To view our ex-offenders policy please click here. To view our Child Protection Policy, please visit the Parents and Carers section of this School/Learning centre. You can find all our Schools here. Special Education / Careers in Care / Careers in Special Education / Working with Children / SEMH / SEN / ASD