Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant

Bristol Full-Time 22600 - 26700 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Witherslack Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children with special needs in their learning and development.
  • Company: Join Witherslack Group, a leader in special education dedicated to making a difference.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, full school holidays, medical cover, and wellbeing support.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while working in a supportive, rewarding environment.
  • Qualifications: Passion for helping children; classroom experience preferred but training provided.
  • Other info: Diverse team culture; career progression opportunities available.

The predicted salary is between 22600 - 26700 £ 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:

  • 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 will 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.

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

#INDH
Witherslack Group

Contact Detail:

Witherslack Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Teaching Assistant

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Understanding these challenges will help you connect better with the young people you'll be supporting.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your passion for education and child development during any informal conversations or networking opportunities. Engaging with current staff or alumni can provide insights and demonstrate your commitment to the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Highlight any relevant experience, even if it's informal, such as volunteering or mentoring. This can set you apart and show that you have a genuine interest in making a difference in children's lives.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare thoughtful questions about the school's approach to teaching and support for students. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Teaching Assistant

Empathy
Communication Skills
Patience
Teamwork
Resilience
Adaptability
Behaviour Management
Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Social, Emotional and Mental Health Awareness
Ability to Support Learning
Problem-Solving Skills
Creativity in Lesson Delivery
Motivational Skills
Observation Skills
Basic First Aid Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, take time to understand the responsibilities and expectations of a Teaching Assistant at Witherslack Group. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, skills, and qualifications that align with the job description. Emphasise any previous work with children or in educational settings, as well as your ability to support diverse learning needs.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting children and your understanding of their unique challenges. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate how you can contribute to the positive environment at Witherslack Group.

Highlight Your Soft Skills: In your application, emphasise soft skills such as resilience, teamwork, and a 'can do' attitude. These qualities are essential for a Teaching Assistant, especially when working with children who may face various challenges.

How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group

✨Show Your Passion for Education

Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for working with 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 Adaptability

Be prepared to discuss how you handle challenges and setbacks. The role of a Teaching Assistant can be tough, so showcasing your resilience and ability to adapt to different situations will resonate well with the interviewers.

✨Highlight Teamwork Skills

Since you'll be working closely with teachers and therapists, emphasise your ability to collaborate effectively. Provide examples of past experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team to achieve a common goal.

✨Research the School and Its Values

Familiarise yourself with the school's mission and values, particularly their focus on celebrating 'huge small victories'. This will show your interest in the role and help you align your answers with what they are looking for in a candidate.

Teaching Assistant
Witherslack Group
Location: Bristol

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