Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with additional needs in a nurturing educational environment.
- Company: Progress Schools, dedicated to empowering futures through personalised education.
- Benefits: Generous holidays, wellbeing support, professional development, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on innovation and student success.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while enjoying a supportive work culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in education and a passion for supporting diverse learners.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Join us as a Specialist Pathways Support Assistant: Empower Futures! Are you passionate about supporting young people with additional needs to thrive in education and beyond? At Progress Schools, we believe in relational, student‑centred education. This new specialist setting at our Tees Valley school has been designed in response to local need, enabling us to deliver a highly personalised, supportive learning environment for young people who benefit from a more tailored approach.
We are a nurturing organisation. One who cares about our people as much as we care about delivering exceptional education to our students. As such, we invest in our colleagues and our schools, and we’re always seeking new and innovative ways to enhance our provision, both inside and outside the classroom. Our top‑notch people benefits go beyond the basics and we place a lot of emphasis on wellbeing. Our colleagues enjoy access to discounted gym memberships, a free wellbeing app that is jam packed with fitness, yoga and mindfulness resources and dedicated counselling support. And because we know your passion is with pupils and not paperwork, we do everything we can to reduce the amount of surplus admin too. Your work‑life balance matters. That’s why we offer generous holidays, additional leave for foster carers and flexibility wherever possible. So we want to invest in your personal and professional growth as much as we do the young people who attend our schools.
Benefits
- Professional Development: Support for professional qualifications, in‑house training, including paid qualifications. Last year we invested approx. £3.5k per colleague!
- Financial Security: Death in Service Insurance providing four times your salary.
- Family‑Friendly Policies: Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave.
- Health and Wellbeing Cashback: Access to Medicash for you and your dependants, covering the costs of eye tests, optical, dental, prescriptions, and holistic treatments up to £900 annually.
- Recognition Awards: Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Recognition Awards.
- Referral Bonus: £500 for referring top talent.
- Exclusive Discounts: MiRewards benefits platform, offering loads of discounts and rewards.
- Weekly drop‑ins with Senior Leaders: Connect, clarify and communicate with weekly drop‑ins with our Managing Director and organisation SLT.
- Group Connection: Annual Group conference and a comprehensive benefits review.
Who are we looking for?
- Engagement Skills: Ability to engage learners and support their ambitions. To bring fresh ideas and creativity to the classroom and outside it.
- Emotional Support: Passionate about making a positive impact on students’ lives.
- Experience: Have worked in a school, AP, PRU or specialist setting.
- Knowledge: Have an understanding of alternative provision and dealing with students with special needs.
- Problem‑Solving: Aptitude for solving problems and making effective decisions.
- Communication: Professional communication with students and staff.
- Promotion of Values: Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, safeguarding, wellbeing, and British values.
- Time Management: Effective time management for planning, delivery, and assessment.
About the school
You’ll be based at Progress Schools Tees Valley which currently supports approximately 20 pupils to achieve their potential. Your role will focus on supporting a small cohort of up to 8 students in our newly created SEN specialist provision setting within the school. At Tees Valley, we provide an appropriate curriculum and wrap‑around support for young people that is grounded in relational practice. All the students you will support will have additional needs, with an EHCP in place. This means that some days will be more challenging than others, but every one of our students has the potential to thrive, and that’s where you come in. The school consists of a core team of the Head of School, four teachers, and four support staff. We will then be appointing a Specialist Lead Teacher, HLTA and Support Assistant to solely support students attending our SEN specific setting within the school. Further support is also provided by regional and national staff, who work with a number of schools across our organisation.
How to Apply
Ready to be a part of our journey? Submit your application by clicking APPLY. If you have any further queries, then please get in touch with our friendly recruitment team by emailing recruitment@theprogress-group.co.uk.
Let’s redefine education together!
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
The Progress Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history, skin colour, marital status, genetic information, or parental status. All employment decisions are based on merit, job requirements, and business needs.
Safeguarding Statement
We are committed to safeguarding and protecting all children and young people by implementing robust safer recruitment practices.
Note
We are unable to provide Visa sponsorship for this role.
Specialist Pathways Support Assistant employer: Progress Schools Ltd
Contact Detail:
Progress Schools Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Pathways Support Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school and its values! Research Progress Schools and understand their approach to education. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn or at local education events. They can provide insider tips and might even put in a good word for you, which could give you an edge in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about real-life examples that showcase your engagement skills and problem-solving abilities. Be ready to discuss how you've supported students with additional needs in the past—this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in students' lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Pathways Support Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting young people with additional needs shine through. Share personal experiences or insights that highlight why you care about making a positive impact in education.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and mission of Progress Schools. Mention how your skills and experiences align with our commitment to relational, student-centred education and how you can contribute to our nurturing environment.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We want to understand your qualifications and enthusiasm without wading through unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, if you have any questions, our friendly recruitment team is just an email away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Progress Schools Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Specialist Pathways Support Assistant inside out. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of students with additional needs and how relational, student-centred education works. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your passion for supporting young people.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in schools or specialist settings. Think of specific examples where you've made a positive impact on students' lives. Highlight your problem-solving skills and how you've engaged learners in creative ways, as this aligns perfectly with what they’re looking for.
✨Emphasise Wellbeing
Since the organisation places a strong emphasis on wellbeing, be ready to talk about how you prioritise your own wellbeing and that of your students. Share any strategies you’ve used to create a supportive environment, and don’t forget to mention your commitment to promoting equality and diversity.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have some insightful questions prepared. Ask about their approach to professional development or how they support staff wellbeing. This shows that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their nurturing environment and that you value growth, both personally and professionally.