Student Support Assistant

Student Support Assistant

Bristol Full-Time No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children with special needs, helping them learn and grow.
  • Company: Join a caring team at Witherslack Group, dedicated to making a difference.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, full school holidays, and excellent training opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in young lives and celebrate their small victories.
  • Qualifications: A caring nature and passion for helping children; experience is a plus but not required.
  • Other info: Work in a state-of-the-art school with a supportive and inclusive environment.

Please note: If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Those Huge Small Victories

Our Teaching Assistants are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things. There’s lots of ups and downs, and to some of our young people, sitting through a lesson can be a big win. We call these huge small victories and whilst they may seem small on the surface, they add up to make a big difference.

You’ll be working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. You’ll be there to help them learn, develop their abilities and raise their self-esteem. You will need to be resilient and dedicated, but those huge small victories that you achieve will be something you’re really proud of.

It can be a tough journey, but the positive steps forward will more than make up for it. As a Teaching Assistant at Witherslack Group, you’ll get all the support you need to succeed. Your colleagues will be the best at what they do, the school environments will be well-resourced and we’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you build a rewarding teaching career.

One of the best environments in SEND

Our new Castlefell School is a purpose built, brand new, state of the art school, catering primarily for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs but also providing for children with autism who have moderate learning needs. The school provides education for up to 50 children aged 8 to 16.

This new exciting opportunity serves Rudgeway and the wider communities, you are at the heart of its development. Our aim is to ensure that every pupil has an outstanding educational experience with individual pupil progress and care at the heart of what is offered.

What we do for you

We know you’re going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you’ll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:

Training: A full induction and on the job training

Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with full school holidays

Progression: If career development is your thing, most of our head teachers and leaders have been promoted from within our group

Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance – check out our benefits here

Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance

Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts

Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities – check out our schools here

A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time

Contributory pension (matched up to 5%)

Bring your whole-self to work

Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves. You’ll be more than a Teaching Assistant, you’ll be able to connect with our pupils because of:

Your ‘can do’ attitude – a team player who rolls up their sleeves to help others

Ideally you’ll have experience working in a classroom, but if not, we can provide you with all the relevant training

Your genuine passion for supporting children to learn and the impact it can have on their lives

Your enthusiasm and expertise to support the teacher and work closely with our therapists

Interested in joining us?

At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong.

As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference—especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way.

By building a diverse and inclusive team, we’re better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

To view our full job description and person specification, please click here. To view our ex-offenders policy please click here. To view our Child Protection Policy, please visit the Parents and Carers section of this School/Learning centre. You can find all our Schools here.

Special Education / Careers in Care / Careers in Special Education / Working with Children / SEMH / SEN / ASD

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Contact Detail:

Witherslack Group Ltd. Recruiting Team

We think you need these skills to ace Student Support Assistant

Caring Nature
Supportive Attitude
Passion for Helping Children
Resilience
Dedication
Ability to Connect with Young People
Team Player
Enthusiasm for Supporting Learning
Experience in Classroom Settings
Understanding of Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Knowledge of Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs
Commitment to Inclusion
Adaptability
Willingness to Learn

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your genuine passion for helping children shine through. We want to see your caring nature and how you can make a difference in their lives, so don’t hold back!

Be Yourself: We value individuality, so be authentic in your application. Share your unique experiences and perspectives that make you the right fit for our team. Remember, it’s all about connecting with our young people!

Highlight Relevant Skills: Even if you don’t have previous teaching assistant experience, focus on any skills or experiences that demonstrate your ability to support children. Whether it’s volunteering or personal experiences, we want to know how you can contribute.

Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you started on this exciting journey with us at Witherslack Group!

How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group Ltd.

✨Show Your Caring Nature

During the interview, make sure to express your genuine passion for helping children thrive. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your caring and supportive nature, as this is what really matters to the hiring team.

✨Emphasise Resilience and Dedication

Talk about times when you've faced challenges and how you overcame them. This role requires resilience, so demonstrating your ability to stay dedicated through tough situations will resonate well with the interviewers.

✨Celebrate Small Victories

Familiarise yourself with the concept of 'huge small victories' and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to these moments in the classroom. Show that you understand the importance of celebrating progress, no matter how small.

✨Be Yourself

The Witherslack Group values diversity and individuality, so don’t be afraid to bring your whole self to the interview. Share your unique perspectives and experiences, as this will help you connect with the team and demonstrate your fit for their inclusive culture.

Student Support Assistant
Witherslack Group Ltd.
Location: Bristol
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