Teaching Assistant

Tela; South Cambridgeshire; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative autism specialist school in South Cambridgeshire is looking for a passionate Teaching Assistant to support autistic pupils. This role involves delivering inclusive education and contributing to pupils' emotional and academic success. Ideal candidates will have experience with children in a specialist setting and a commitment to therapeutic education. The school offers a supportive environment and numerous professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Free school meals

Discounted gym membership

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or young people in an educational or specialist setting.
• Genuine interest in therapeutic approaches and trauma-informed education.
• Ability to support autistic pupils academically and emotionally.

Responsibilities

• Support communication and wellbeing of autistic pupils with complex needs.
• Deliver inclusive learning experiences tailored to each pupil's needs.
• Contribute to classroom routines and planning.

Skills

Compassionate

Teamwork

Communication

Flexibility

Job description

We are proud to be Cambridgeshire’s first state-maintained Autism Specialist school and the world’s first IB special school. Following our Outstanding Ofsted rating in March 2024, we are expanding our provision and are now looking for a, passionate, and innovative Teaching assistant to join our dynamic teaching team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a forward-thinking, trauma-informed, and inclusive setting that puts pupil wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. Our pupils are autistic, each with their own strengths and challenges, and our mission — Enabling the Self — is to ensure they leave school confident, self-aware, and ready for the future.

About the Role

As a teaching assistant at The Cavendish School, you will play a vital role in supporting the communication and wellbeing of autistic pupils with complex needs by:

• Working alongside the class teacher to deliver engaging, inclusive learning experiences tailored to each pupil’s needs
• Providing individual and small-group support to help pupils access the curriculum and build confidence, communication, and independence
• Supporting pupils with sensory regulation and emotional wellbeing in our purpose-built therapeutic environment, including sensory rooms and regulation spaces
• Helping to prepare learning resources, support classroom routines, and contribute to observations that inform planning and progress tracking
• Modelling and implementing a range of autism-specific strategies in the classroom, in line with our trauma-informed and therapeutic thinking approach
• Working closely with our multidisciplinary team — including therapists, teachers, and leaders contributing to a whole-school culture of reflective, trauma-informed practice rooted in our ethos of “enabling the self”.

We are looking for someone who believes that autism is not a limitation, but a different way of thinking and experiencing the world — and who is passionate about enabling each pupil to grow, learn and thrive in a setting that celebrates individuality.

What We’re Looking For

• Someone who is compassionate, proactive, and committed to supporting autistic pupils to succeed academically and emotionally
• Experience working with children or young people, ideally in an educational or specialist setting
• A genuine interest in therapeutic approaches and trauma-informed education
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to follow guidance and contribute meaningfully to classroom life
• A calm, flexible, and reflective approach to supporting pupils with diverse needs
• An enthusiasm for contributing to an inclusive, pupil-centred school ethos
• A willingness to learn and grow professionally as part of a supportive and skilled multidisciplinary team

Whether you’re experienced in special education or excited to transition into this rewarding field, we offer additional collaborative planning time, ongoing CPD, and a supportive community where your passion will truly make an impact.

Why Join Us?

• An Outstanding-rated autism specialist school with a pioneering IB curriculum
• A vibrant, therapeutic and supportive school community
• Access to professional development, training, and clinical supervision
• The chance to make a real difference — not just for pupils, but for their families and futures
• A Well-being directory for all staff offering financial supports and to improve wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Free school meals are provided for dining with our pupils.
• A 50% discount to our trust sports centre membership
• An additional bookable holiday ’Eastern Family Day’ for you to take when you require
• A modern flexible working school, with the opportunities for home working and reduced hours.

What can ELA offer you?

ELA offer a sector leading staff benefits offer alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.

• ELA know that our strength is our people, so we prioritise staff wellbeing, retention and development. Over 95% of ELA staff say they’re proud to work in their school.
• ELA are firm believers in the power of recognising, celebrating, and rewarding talent: our track record in terms of retention, internal promotion opportunities and wider career development is excellent.
• ELA staff enjoy a sector leading staff benefits package alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.
• You can find out all about our Trust and staff offerhere .

ELA staff benefits include:

• Reduced contact time to enable professional development;
• EAP with access to counselling & physiotherapy;
• Paid annual family day;
• Cycle to work & electric car lease schemes;
• Enhanced parental leave;
• Ticket ballots for high profile events;
• Generous annual leave allowance for support staff;
• Discounted gym membership for all staff.

Our Trust is committed to equal opportunities, to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment and undergo the appropriate checks. All positions within the Trust are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references along with a Certificate of Good Conduct if applicable. Only applications submitted on using the ELA application form will be accepted. We do not accept applications by CV. You can view our safeguarding policy here .

Please send a completed application form and covering letter to: Lisa Lincoln, The Cavendish School, Park Drive, Impington, Cambridgeshire, CB24 9LY or e-mail: [e-mail] . Due to the high volume of applicants, we receive for certain roles, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier that the advertised date if we have received applications that reach the criteria.

All shortlisted applicants should expect to be called for interview no more than 5 working days after the closing date. If you have not heard from us by then, your application has not been successful. Visits to The Cavendish School are welcome.