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- Tasks: Support students with special educational needs in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Join Oakwood School, a dedicated SEN school in beautiful Leicestershire.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work culture, work-life balance, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a creative and adventurous setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in SEN/SEMH is preferred, but training will be provided.
- Other info: Flexible hours and a no blame culture encourage creativity and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 24000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity for a TA to join our wonderful school and work with our exceptional students and staff. The ideal candidate will have experience working within SEN and/or SEMH. We are removing the glass ceiling for TAs and are creating opportunities to grow within the role for the right candidate, depending on their experience and matching to a need within the SIP.
We are immensely proud that our staff enjoy their work and coming to school. We strongly believe that by caring for our staff and providing the right work-life balance, you in turn help to produce a happier environment, with a more productive team and a better connection with our students.
Due to increased student numbers, we are excited to be recruiting for a Teaching Assistant to join us at Oakwood and work with our pupils who experience a range of needs including SEMH. The appointed person will establish a supportive and nurturing learning environment in which students with special educational needs make good academic progress and can participate in activities across the school. You will be able to successfully build trusting student relationships and motivate and encourage pupils by providing levels of individual attention, reassurance and help with tasks as appropriate.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a creative and adventurous individual to join our school. We encourage our staff to take learning beyond the classroom and utilise our 30 acres of ground and woodland to bring learning to life.
About Oakwood: Oakwood is a SEN School specialising in the education of SEMH students. Set in 30 acres of grounds and woodland in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside, the school has been purpose-built to cater for the requirements and needs of the pupils we support and offers fantastic facilities for every child. We are a fairly new school with big ambitions and an ethos of putting every child first. We support a range of young SEMH pupils from the ages of 8-18 across our two sites based at our Oakwood Community School and our Cedarwood site within Leicester City. At Oakwood, we believe that treating everyone equally and developing a culture of mutual respect is essential to create a bond between staff and pupils and between pupils and their peers. We also uphold those values that help everyone embrace children whose backgrounds involve different faiths, lifestyles, and beliefs.
We have a no blame culture where you are encouraged to be creative. Applications are welcome from colleagues with either mainstream or SEND experience, with appropriate training provided for all staff.
Working hours (and everyone really does go home on time!):
- Monday and Wednesday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
- Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30am to 4pm
- Friday: 8:30am to 3pm
We very much hope you will feel inspired to come and be part of the Oakwood team. If you’re interested in making a real difference and impacting positively on the lives of our students, we would love to hear from you. We encourage you to visit us to see for yourself the opportunities we can provide.
Closing date for applications: ASAP and by 9am Monday 23rd June 2025. Strong applications may be considered upon receipt.
SEN Teaching Assistant employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment - Education
Contact Detail:
Hays Specialist Recruitment - Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SEN Teaching Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of SEMH students. Understanding their challenges and how to support them effectively will show your commitment and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Visit Oakwood School if possible. Engaging with the environment and staff can give you valuable insights into the school's culture and values, which you can reference in your discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former staff members. They can provide first-hand experiences and tips on what qualities the school values most in a Teaching Assistant.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your creative approaches to learning. Oakwood encourages innovative teaching methods, so think of examples where you've successfully engaged students in unique ways.
We think you need these skills to ace SEN Teaching Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the specific requirements and responsibilities of the SEN Teaching Assistant position. Highlight your relevant experience in working with students with special educational needs (SEN) or social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your experience and skills that align with the role. Emphasise any previous work in SEN settings, your ability to build trusting relationships with students, and any creative approaches you've used in teaching.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for working with SEN students. Mention specific examples of how you've supported students in the past and how you can contribute to creating a nurturing learning environment at Oakwood School.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in an educational setting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment - Education
✨Show Your Passion for SEN
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for working with students with special educational needs. Share any personal experiences or motivations that led you to pursue a role in this field, as it will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built trusting relationships with students in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate and encourage pupils, as this is crucial for the role at Oakwood School.
✨Emphasise Creativity in Learning
Since Oakwood encourages taking learning beyond the classroom, think of creative ways you've engaged students in the past. Be ready to discuss how you would utilise the school's 30 acres of grounds to enhance learning experiences.
✨Understand the School's Ethos
Familiarise yourself with Oakwood's values, such as mutual respect and inclusivity. During the interview, reflect these values in your answers to show that you align with the school's mission and culture.
