Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant

Stockton-on-Tees Full-Time 22600 - 26700 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children with special needs in their learning journey and celebrate their achievements.
  • Company: Join Witherslack Group, a leading provider of education for young people with special educational needs.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, full school holidays, medical cover, and flexible benefits.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
  • Qualifications: Passion for supporting children; classroom experience preferred but training provided.
  • Other info: Diversity is celebrated; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 22600 - 26700 £ per year.

Up to £26,674 + excellent benefits

Those Huge Small Victories

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.

Check out this video on what life as a Teaching Assistant at Witherslack Group is like!

Get out what you put in

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.

One of the best environments in SEND

Hartwell School is an independent specialist day school providing high quality education, based in Stockton-on-Tees. The school meets the needs of a diverse group of pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, alongside a range of other associated conditions.

The recent Ofsted rating of Good has established the school as one of the leading specialist provisions in the North East.

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 will 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.

For a 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

Teaching Assistant employer: Witherslack Group

Witherslack Group is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Teaching Assistants at Hartwell School in Stockton-on-Tees. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training, career progression opportunities, and a generous benefits package that includes full school holidays, medical cover, and wellbeing resources. Join us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people while being part of a diverse team that values every individual's unique contributions.
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Contact Detail:

Witherslack Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Teaching Assistant

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Understanding these conditions will not only help you connect better with the students but also demonstrate your commitment to their development during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Engage with current Teaching Assistants or educators in similar roles to gain insights into their daily experiences. This can provide you with valuable anecdotes to share during your interview, showcasing your genuine interest in the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Highlight any relevant volunteer work or informal experiences you have had with children, especially those with special educational needs. This practical experience can set you apart from other candidates and show your passion for supporting young people.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare thoughtful questions about the school's approach to inclusion and support for staff. This shows that you are proactive and genuinely interested in contributing to a positive learning environment for both students and colleagues.

We think you need these skills to ace Teaching Assistant

Empathy
Communication Skills
Patience
Teamwork
Adaptability
Behaviour Management
Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Knowledge of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
Resilience
Problem-Solving Skills
Ability to build rapport with children
Organisational Skills
Creativity in lesson delivery
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, take time to understand the responsibilities of a Teaching Assistant at Witherslack Group. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, skills, and qualifications that align with the job description. Emphasise any previous work with children or in educational settings, as well as your ability to support diverse learning needs.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting children and your understanding of their unique challenges. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate how you can contribute to the 'huge small victories' mentioned in the job description.

Showcase Your Values: In your application, reflect on the values of inclusion and diversity that Witherslack Group champions. Share your thoughts on how you can contribute to creating a supportive environment for all students, highlighting your 'can do' attitude and teamwork skills.

How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group

✨Show Your Passion for Education

Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for working with children, especially those with special educational needs. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.

✨Demonstrate Resilience and Adaptability

Be prepared to discuss how you handle challenges and setbacks. Provide examples of situations where you've had to adapt your approach to meet the needs of students, showcasing your resilience and problem-solving skills.

✨Highlight Teamwork Skills

Since you'll be working closely with teachers and therapists, emphasise your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of past teamwork experiences and how they contributed to achieving common goals in an educational setting.

✨Understand the Role of a Teaching Assistant

Familiarise yourself with the specific responsibilities of a Teaching Assistant, particularly in a SEND environment. Be ready to discuss how you can support both the teacher and the students, and why this role is important in fostering a positive learning atmosphere.

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