Teaching Assistant in Southampton

Location: Bower Lodge School, Dibden, Southampton, SO45 5TD

Hours: 37.5 per week | Monday to Friday | 8.30am – 4.30pm

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

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: December 2026

About the Role

Looking for a career where your encouragement can build confidence, your patience can open doors and your support can change a young person's future? At Bower Lodge School, we're looking for a caring, enthusiastic and resilient Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team and help create positive learning experiences for students who need someone to believe in them. You don't need to have all the answers. Sometimes, being the person who listens, encourages and never gives up on a young person can make the biggest difference. You'll work alongside teachers and colleagues to support students with different learning needs, helping them overcome challenges, develop new skills and discover what they're capable of achieving.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll bring energy, creativity and compassion into the classroom, helping to create a positive, structured and nurturing environment where every student feels valued and supported. Whether you're an experienced Teaching Assistant or looking to bring your skills from care, childcare, youth work, coaching or another supportive profession into education, we'd love to hear from you.

What you will bring:

• Help students achieve their potential, providing personalised one-to-one and small-group support that makes learning accessible, engaging and rewarding.
• Bring enthusiasm into the classroom, working alongside teachers to deliver creative activities and learning experiences that encourage participation and progress.
• Build relationships that matter, becoming a positive, trusted presence who helps students feel safe, understood and confident.
• Encourage independence and resilience, supporting students to develop communication, social skills and the confidence to overcome everyday challenges.
• Make learning feel achievable, adapting your approach to suit individual needs, abilities and learning styles.
• Support positive behaviour and wellbeing, using calm, consistent and encouraging approaches to help students manage emotions and engage successfully.
• Celebrate the little wins and big breakthroughs, recognising individual achievements and helping students take pride in their progress.
• Create a place where students can thrive, contributing to a safe, inclusive and supportive school environment alongside teachers and colleagues.

Who We're Looking For:

We're not just looking at what's on your CV. We're looking for someone with the right attitude, the patience to understand and the determination to help young people succeed. You might already work in education, or you could have valuable transferable experience from care, childcare, youth work, coaching or support services. You’ll bring:

• A genuine passion for working with children and young people and helping them achieve their potential.
• A caring, patient and understanding nature, with the ability to build positive, trusting relationships.
• A calm, resilient and positive approach, particularly when supporting students through challenging situations.
• The creativity and flexibility to adapt activities and support to suit different learning needs.
• Strong communication and listening skills, with the ability to encourage, motivate and reassure students.
• A collaborative attitude and enthusiasm for working alongside teachers and other colleagues.
• A proactive, reliable and enthusiastic approach, with a willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and creating an environment where every student feels respected and supported.

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.

Bower Lodge School is a specialist day school in Dibden, Southampton, for boys and girls aged 4–11 with a diagnosis of autism and complex learning, communication, and sensory needs. With capacity for 40 students, we provide a small, nurturing, and inclusive environment. Our approach is tailored to each child’s individual strengths and needs. Through personalised learning and high levels of support, we help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

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.