Teaching Assistant in North East

At OFG Education, we believe in giving you more time to do the things you love outside of work.

Location: Strawberry Lane School, Durham, DH6 5BE

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday

Salary: £23,080.50 per annum (not pro rata)

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: December 2026

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available.

About the Role

At Strawberry Lane School, we’re looking for an experienced and confident Teaching Assistant with a strong background supporting children and young people with Complex Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). This is an opportunity for someone who already understands the rewards and challenges of specialist education and can bring the knowledge, confidence and resilience needed to provide high-quality, individualised support from day one. You’ll work closely with teachers, therapists and pastoral colleagues to understand each student’s communication, sensory, emotional and learning needs. Using your experience, you’ll help students regulate, engage with education, develop independence and make meaningful progress at their own pace. We’re looking for someone who can recognise when a student needs encouragement, when an approach needs adapting and when providing calm, consistent support can prevent a challenging situation from escalating.

What You'll Be Doing

• Provide high-quality 1:1, small-group and classroom support for students with Complex ASC and additional needs.
• Use your knowledge and experience to adapt support around individual communication, sensory, emotional and learning needs.
• Support students with emotional regulation and behaviours that may challenge using calm, consistent and appropriate strategies.
• Work alongside teachers and therapists to implement personalised learning and support strategies.
• Build strong, trusting and appropriately boundaried relationships that help students feel safe and able to engage.
• Promote communication, independence, confidence, resilience and essential life skills.
• Recognise triggers, changes in presentation and barriers to engagement, responding proactively and sharing observations with the wider team.
• Support learning beyond the classroom through practical activities, outdoor learning, enrichment and educational visits.

Who we are looking for

We’re looking for experience, confidence and the ability to connect. This role would suit an established Teaching Assistant, SEN Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or specialist support professional who has significant experience supporting children or young people with complex needs. You’ll need to:

• Have strong, demonstrable experience supporting individuals with Complex ASC.
• Have experience working with children or young people with complex additional needs and/or behaviours that may challenge.
• Understand how autism can affect communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation and engagement with learning.
• Be confident implementing individualised strategies and adapting your approach when a student’s needs change.
• Be calm and resilient, with the ability to respond confidently and appropriately in challenging situations.
• Have excellent relationship-building and communication skills.
• Be able to recognise and respond to individual behaviours, triggers and communication needs.
• Work confidently alongside teachers, therapists, pastoral colleagues and other professionals.
• Be proactive, reliable and able to use your initiative while working within agreed plans and approaches.
• Be committed to safeguarding and achieving the best possible outcomes for every student.

About Us

At OFG Education, we believe every student deserves an education designed around who they are. Through high expectations, deep expertise and truly personalised education, we help students realise their potential and prepare for successful futures. Building on more than 20 years of experience, we are bringing our approach to more students and communities around the world. Across the UK, Iberia and the Gulf, our schools combine the strength, expertise and high standards of an international education group with the individuality of each school and the communities they serve.

Whatever your role, joining OFG Education means contributing to our shared ambition: empowering every student to success through truly personalised education.

About Our School

Strawberry Lane School is a brand-new specialist school in Bowburn, Durham, supporting 60 students aged 11–19 with autism, communication needs, and additional complex needs. In a nurturing and inclusive environment, students receive personalised support to develop academically, socially, and emotionally. The school celebrates each learner’s strengths while providing structure, guidance, and encouragement. Strawberry Lane empowers every young person to thrive and reach their full potential.

Why Join Us?

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

OFG Education is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.