At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with special needs, helping them learn and grow through small victories.
- Company: Witherslack Group, a leading provider of education for children with special educational needs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full school holidays, medical cover, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your teaching career.
- Qualifications: Passion for supporting children, teamwork skills, and ideally some classroom experience.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with excellent training and career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 28000 £ per year.
Up to £27,528 + excellent benefits
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.
Check out this video on what life as a Teaching Assistant at Witherslack Group is like!
Get out what you put in
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:
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Training: A full induction and on the job training
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Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with full school holidays
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Progression: If career development is your thing, most of our head teachers and leaders have been promoted from within our group
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Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance – check out our benefits here
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Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
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Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
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Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities – check out our schools here
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A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
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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:
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Your ‘can do’ attitude – a team player who rolls up their sleeves to help others
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Ideally you’ll have experience working in a classroom, but if not, we can provide you will all the relevant training
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Your genuine passion for supporting children to learn and the impact it can have on their lives
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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.
For a 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
Teaching Assistant employer: Witherslack Group
Contact Detail:
Witherslack Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Teaching Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school culture! Before your interview, check out their website and social media. Understanding their values and how they celebrate those 'huge small victories' will help you connect with them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you've made a difference in a child's life. Sharing these stories can really showcase your passion and dedication.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss resilience! Working with children who have special educational needs can be challenging. Prepare to talk about how you've handled tough situations and what strategies you used to support young people.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Show your interest by asking about their training programmes or how they support staff wellbeing. This not only helps you gauge if it’s the right fit but also shows you’re genuinely invested in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Teaching Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for supporting children shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives, so share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your commitment.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Teaching Assistant. Use keywords from the job description and demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for. This shows us that you've done your homework!
Be Authentic: We value authenticity, so don’t be afraid to be yourself in your application. Share your unique perspective and experiences that make you a great fit for our team. Remember, we’re looking for individuals who can connect with our diverse young people.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you access to all the info you need about the position!
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Teaching Assistant and the specific needs of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health challenges. Familiarise yourself with the concept of 'huge small victories' and think of examples from your experience that demonstrate how you've made a positive impact.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your genuine passion for supporting children shine through. Share stories that highlight your enthusiasm for helping young people learn and grow, especially those facing challenges. This will show that you're not just looking for a job, but that you truly care about making a difference.
✨Be Resilient and Adaptable
Expect questions about how you handle difficult situations or challenging behaviours. Prepare to discuss times when you've had to adapt your approach to meet the needs of different learners. Highlight your resilience and dedication, as these qualities are crucial in this role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the school environment, support systems, and professional development opportunities. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the role and eager to contribute to the team at Witherslack Group.