Advanced TA - ASD Unit

St Paul's C of E Primary School & Nursery; Farnham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A nurturing primary school in Farnham is seeking an exceptional Advanced Teaching Assistant to join their dedicated team. This full-time, permanent role focuses on providing personalized support to children with autism in a nurturing environment. Candidates should have experience with communication needs and a proactive mindset. The school offers a supportive team, high-quality professional development, and opportunities to grow in a well-resourced environment. This role is crucial to fostering inclusivity and helping every child thrive.

Benefits

High-quality CPD

Supportive and values-led team

Well-resourced ASD Unit

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting children with autism or SEMH needs required.
• Strong leadership in learning with a commitment to high standards.
• Willingness to work towards a Level 5 qualification is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Support consistency and high expectations across ASD Unit rooms.
• Lead planned learning sessions and small group interventions.
• Provide personalized support for children's academic and emotional progress.
• Collaborate with teachers and staff for a child-centered curriculum.
• Build trusting relationships with children and families.

Skills

Experience with autism, communication needs or SEMH needs

Proactive, solution-focused mindset

Ability to lead learning with clarity and confidence

Adaptability and nurturing approach

Team collaboration skills

Desire to make a difference

Education

Level 5 qualification in supporting SEND

Job description

St Paul’s is a nurturing, ambitious and values-driven primary school with a specialist ASD Unit at the heart of our provision. We are looking for an exceptional Advanced Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team, working across both our KS1 and KS2 Unit rooms. This is a role for someone who believes deeply in inclusion, understands that behaviour is communication, and is passionate about helping every child feel safe, understood, and ready to learn.

Advanced Teaching Assistant – ASD Unit

Pay Scale: Surrey PS5

Contract: Full-time & Permanent, 39 weeks a year (Term Time)

Start date: September 2026

About the role

• Work across both ASD Unit rooms, supporting consistency and high expectations from KS1 through KS2.
• Lead planned learning sessions, small groups and interventions with confidence and creativity.
• Provide high-quality, personalised support that helps children regulate, communicate and progress academically, socially and emotionally.
• Work closely with our Unit teachers, teaching assistants and wider staff to deliver an ambitious, child-centred curriculum.
• Use key frameworks such as Zones of Regulation, sensory approaches and communication strategies to enable successful learning.
• Contribute to planning, assessment and preparation of personalised learning resources.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with children and families.
• Model calm, compassion and resilience — even on the trickiest days.

About you

• Has experience with autism, communication needs or SEMH needs (school-based or equivalent).
• Brings a proactive, solution-focused mindset.
• Can lead learning with clarity, confidence and a commitment to high standards.
• Is able to adapt, think on their feet and remain grounded in a nurturing approach.
• Works well as part of a dedicated, skilled and supportive team.
• Wants to make a genuine difference to children and families who need the very best from us.
• Has or is willing to work towards a Level 5 qualification in supporting SEND.

What we offer

• A highly inclusive school committed to every child’s success.
• A warm, supportive and values-led team.
• A well-resourced ASD Unit and Nurture Hub.
• High-quality CPD and opportunities to develop specialist expertise.
• A leadership team that prioritises wellbeing, professional growth and the lived experience of children and staff.

Please contact the school office to arrange a tour.

We reserve the right to shortlist, interview and appoint before the closing date.

Safeguarding Statement

St Paul’s CofE Primary School & Nursery, Tongham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.