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: Up to £27,528 salary, full school holidays, medical cover, and excellent career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your teaching skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for supporting children; experience in a classroom is a plus but not essential.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 28000 £ per year.
Job Description
Please note: The school is based in Yate, Bristol, and the role is scheduled to commence in September 2026.
Salary: Up to £27,528 + excellent benefits
Overview
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 are ups and downs, and for some of our young people, sitting through a lesson can be a big win. We call these huge small victories and they add up to make a big difference.
Check out this video on what life as a Teaching Assistant at Witherslack Group is like!
Youll be working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Youll 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 youre 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, youll 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 well be with you every step of the way, helping you build a rewarding teaching career.
One of the best environments in SEND
Opening in September 2026, Turner Court is a purpose built, brand new, state of the art Primary school. The school will cater for up to 50 pupils with a wide range of needs including autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. This new exciting opportunity serves Bristol 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 youre 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, youll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people plus youll get:
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Training: A full induction and on the job training
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Holiday: Youll work hard at WG, so youll 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. Youll be more than a Teaching Assistant, youll 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 youll 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. Were 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, well be there every step of the way.
By building a diverse and inclusive team, were 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 provide the full job description and person specification. To view our ex-offenders policy please note it is available internally.
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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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
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Teaching Assistants at Witherslack Group on LinkedIn or social media. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for you. Personal connections can really help you stand out!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the unique challenges faced by children with special educational needs. Show us that you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about how to support these young people effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to share your own 'huge small victories' in past roles. Whether it’s helping a child learn a new skill or creating a safe space for them, we want to hear how you’ve made a difference!
✨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, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our amazing benefits there!
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 customise your application to reflect 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 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, especially those that relate to working with children who have special educational needs. It’s all about connecting with our values!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applicants. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
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 in challenging situations. 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 setbacks. 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 for a Teaching Assistant working in a demanding environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the school’s approach to inclusion and support for staff. This shows that you’re engaged and interested in being part of their community. It also gives you a chance to assess if the environment aligns with your values and career goals.