SEN Teaching Assistant in Leicester

SEN Teaching Assistant in Leicester

Leicester Full-Time 23100 - 26000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
All The Top Bananas

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support students with special educational needs and create a nurturing learning environment.
  • Company: Join Oakwood School, a growing SEN school in Leicestershire.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Work-life balance with flexible hours and a focus on staff well-being.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while enjoying a creative work environment.
  • Qualifications: GCSE in English and Maths, experience with SEN, and a driving licence.

The predicted salary is between 23100 - 26000 £ per year.

Full time and Permanent (term time only)

£21,500 to £25,000 (actual salary)

To start from September 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter)

We are expanding! This is an exciting opportunity to join our wonderful, growing school and work with our exceptional students and staff.

At Oakwood we take enormous pride in allowing our staff the autonomy to develop their own ideas, be creative, look after their mental health and ultimately to succeed, grow and be happy. If this sounds like something you would like to be part of, we would love to hear from you!

Job Role

Due to increased student numbers, we are excited to be recruiting for a Teaching Assistant to join us at Oakwood School in Leicestershire and work with our pupils who experience a range of needs relating to mental health, trauma and anxiety. We are lucky to have our school based across two sites in Bagworth and Groby. Staff may be required to work at either site (to be discussed/confirmed at interview).

We are removing the glass ceiling for TA's and are creating opportunities to grow within the role for the right candidate. This would be dependant on the experience of the candidate and matching to a need within the SIP.

The ideal candidate will have experience working within SEN. 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. 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.

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. Due to the nature of our setting we are able to provide a working experience with children from 8-18 and would tailor the job role to your experience and skills set.

Essential Requirements

  • GCSE in English and Maths (Grade C/4+)
  • Experience working with young people with additional needs, specifically SEMH and Autism
  • Full driving licence
  • Access to a car and business insurance (or willing to obtain business insurance).

About Oakwood

Oakwood is a SEN School specialising in the education of SEN 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 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.

We are immensely proud that our staff enjoy their work and enjoy 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.

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.

How to apply

For more information on how to apply, arrange a school visit and for a full application pack, please contact Mike Sherwin on the below details:

E: T: 07525 889925

Closing date for applications: ASAP and by 9am Monday 10th August 2026

Strong applications may be considered upon receipt.

SEN Teaching Assistant in Leicester employer: All The Top Bananas

My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.

All The Top Bananas

Contact Details:

All The Top Bananas Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land SEN Teaching Assistant in Leicester

Dive into Local Community Groups

Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at All The Top Bananas.

Attend Social Work Events and Workshops

Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from All The Top Bananas!

Showcase Your Passion and Expertise

Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like All The Top Bananas, will notice your enthusiasm!

Leverage Your Network

Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at All The Top Bananas or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.

We think you need these skills to ace SEN Teaching Assistant in Leicester

Experience working with SEN students
Understanding of SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) needs
Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Ability to build trusting relationships with students
Motivational skills
Supportive and nurturing approach
Creativity in teaching methods

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.

Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!

Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!

Tailor Your Application to All The Top Bananas:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to All The Top Bananas! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas

Understanding the Role of Empathy

In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.

Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.

Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills

In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.