At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with special educational needs and provide care, including transport to school.
- Company: Dove House Academy, a highly regarded school for students with learning difficulties.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, pension scheme, and life insurance.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to fostering relationships and student well-being.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on students' lives in a supportive and caring environment.
- Qualifications: Empathy, resilience, and a UK D1 Manual Driving Licence are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30332 - 37072 £ per year.
Dove House is seeking to recruit hardworking, enthusiastic, confident and highly motivated Specialist Teaching Assistants to join our fantastic support team on a permanent basis.
Dove House is a popular, successful and highly regarded school in Basingstoke, for students with moderate/severe learning difficulties and autism, aged between 11-19. We are proud to be an ‘Outstanding’ school but retain our passion to keep moving forward.
In this key position, you will have responsibility for safely transporting our pupils to and from school as well as providing learning and care support, including personal intimate care, for pupils with special educational needs. You must be able to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity, tact and resilience when dealing with challenging circumstances, as well as being able to use your initiative and manage your own time well. Experience of working with primary or secondary pupils with complex special needs would be advantageous. You will drive our school minibus, therefore, a UK D1 Manual Driving Licence is essential for this role. Training will be given to the successful candidate.
Our Relational Culture Charter guides us to work together and support each other through:
- Effective Communication
- High Challenge & High Support to Empower
- Respect for All
- Solution-Focused Approaches
We believe that when relationships thrive, people thrive – and so do the children and young people we serve.
Salary & Benefits
Band 5, 37 hours a week, term time only, permanent. Actual Salary £23,718 - £25,300 + SEN Allowance.
By joining Dove House Academy, we offer you:
- Excellent staff induction with a commitment to high-quality professional development aligned in relational leadership and HR excellence
- A culture rooted in relational practice, belonging, and well-being
- A workplace where your values, voice, and contribution truly matter
- Local Government Pension Scheme with the option of a 50/50 contribution to build over time
- Increase in paid weeks after 5 years of service from 45.1 weeks to 45.9 weeks
- SEN Allowance with an increase after 3 and 5 years of service
- Life Insurance - 3 times annual salary (for members of the pension scheme)
- Free onsite parking
- Access to our onsite Fitness Suite
- CPD opportunities to support Career development
- Employee Referral Scheme
- Employee Benefits Platform
The working hours for these roles are:
- Morning Shift: Monday to Thursday, 7am – 3pm and Friday 7am – 2.30pm.
- Afternoon Shift: Monday to Thursday, 8.30am – 4.30pm and Friday 9am – 4.30pm.
You will work for 39 weeks of the year; however, you will be paid for 45.1 weeks. Your salary will be paid over 12 months of the year.
If you want to make a positive difference and enrich the lives of our pupils, then this could be the school for you!
Location
Dove House Academy, Sutton Road, Oakridge, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 5SU.
Closing Date for applications is Monday 7th December 2026, 9am. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 16th December 2026.
Equal opportunities
Solent Academies Trust welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or religion. Only applications submitted on the academy’s application form will be accepted. Solent Academies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
DHA Specialist Teaching Assistant in Basingstoke employer: Dove House Academy
Dove House Academy fosters a collaborative and respectful work culture, providing staff with the tools and support needed to excel in their roles. The academy prioritizes professional development and offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of students with special educational needs.
