Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant

Preston Full-Time 22600 - 26700 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children with Autism and emotional needs in their learning journey.
  • Company: Join Witherslack Group, a leader in special education dedicated to making a difference.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, full school holidays, medical cover, and a £1,000 referral bonus.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while working in a supportive and rewarding environment.
  • Qualifications: Passion for helping children; classroom experience is a plus but not required.
  • Other info: Interviews on February 13th; commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 22600 - 26700 £ per year.

Up to £26,674 + Excellent benefits. Please note: For this role the full school holidays are paid and the salary will not be pro rata'd. You may be expected to work at both the Chorley and Leyland sites.

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.

In Autumn 24 we opened Westmorland’s own secondary site with a purpose built, brand new, state of the art school, catering primarily for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Speech, Language and Communication needs. This secondary site school provides education for up to 40 children aged 11 to 16. This is an exciting extension to Westmorland school, which is a consistently outstanding school and offers the opportunity serving Leyland and the wider communities; you can be 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.

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
  • 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
  • A recommend a friend scheme: that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
  • Contributory pension: (matched up to 5%)

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

Our young people deserve the best possible future and we feel the same about our teams. You deserve to have the career you want, with a purpose-led employer, in an environment that allows you to be yourself. 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.

Teaching Assistant employer: Witherslack Group

At Witherslack Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and fulfilling work environment for our Teaching Assistants. With competitive salaries, full school holiday pay, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing and professional development, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children with special educational needs. Our state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to diversity ensure that you can bring your whole self to work while contributing to the growth and success of our students.
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Contact Detail:

Witherslack Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Teaching Assistant

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarize yourself with the principles of working with children who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs. Understanding their unique challenges will help you connect better during the interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in previous roles, even if they were small victories. This aligns perfectly with our philosophy of celebrating those huge small victories.

✨Tip Number 3

Show your enthusiasm for continuous learning and development. Highlight any relevant training or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to supporting children's education and well-being.

✨Tip Number 4

Research our school environment and ethos. Being able to articulate why you want to work at Bridgeway School and how you align with our values will make a strong impression during your interview.

We think you need these skills to ace Teaching Assistant

Empathy
Resilience
Communication Skills
Teamwork
Adaptability
Patience
Understanding of Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Knowledge of Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs
Ability to support diverse learning needs
Passion for education
Classroom management skills
Collaboration with teachers and therapists
Positive attitude
Commitment to safeguarding

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Teaching Assistant. Highlight your passion for supporting children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs in your application.

Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to reflect relevant experience and skills that align with the job requirements. Emphasize any previous work with children or in educational settings, and showcase your 'can do' attitude.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that expresses your enthusiasm for the role and the impact you hope to make. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to positive outcomes in previous roles, focusing on those 'huge small victories'.

Prepare for the Interview: Since interviews are scheduled for the 13th February, prepare by practicing common interview questions related to working with children and your approach to supporting their learning. Be ready to discuss your resilience and dedication.

How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group

✨Show Your Passion for Education

Make sure to express your genuine passion for supporting children, especially those with special educational needs. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.

✨Demonstrate Resilience and Dedication

Prepare to discuss how you handle challenges and setbacks. The role requires resilience, so share examples of how you've overcome difficulties in the past, particularly in educational or caregiving settings.

✨Highlight Teamwork Skills

Since you'll be working closely with teachers and therapists, emphasize your ability to collaborate effectively. Provide examples of successful teamwork experiences and how you contributed to achieving common goals.

✨Understand the School's Ethos

Familiarize yourself with the school's vision and values. During the interview, reference how your own beliefs align with their approach to education and support for young people, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and SEMH needs.

Teaching Assistant
Witherslack Group
Location: Preston

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