Graduate Pastoral Teaching Assistant

KPI Recruiting Ltd; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

KPI Education is working with a specialist educational setting in the Macclesfield area to recruit a Graduate Pastoral Teaching Assistant for September 2026 start. The role is based in Macclesfield, Cheshire and offers full-time, term-time only work with a September 2026 start.

You will work alongside teachers and pastoral professionals to support students, help them settle, engage with learning and build positive routines within a safeguarding-friendly environment.

Qualifications

• You must be educated to degree level.
• Previous school or alternative provision experience is desirable but not essential.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Patience, resilience and emotional maturity.
• A calm and supportive approach.
• Confidence working with challenging situations.
• The ability to establish positive boundaries.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• A professional approach to safeguarding and confidentiality.
• The ability to work effectively within a wider team.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils during lessons and structured activities.
• Provide individual and small-group pastoral support.
• Encourage positive attitudes towards education and attendance.
• Help students manage emotions and challenging situations.
• Build trusting relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Promote confidence, independence and resilience.
• Reinforce positive behaviour and consistent expectations.
• Support pupils with transitions throughout the school day.
• Communicate concerns and observations to teaching and pastoral staff.
• Maintain appropriate records relating to student support.
• Assist with individual strategies designed to improve engagement.
• Help prepare students for their next stage of education or employment.
• Follow safeguarding and school procedures at all times.

Job description

Graduate Pastoral Teaching Assistant - Alternative Provision

Macclesfield, Cheshire
Full-Time | Term-Time Only
September 2026 Start
Interviews Throughout September
£500-£600 per week

Are you a graduate who wants to make a meaningful difference to young people?

Do you have the patience, resilience and confidence to support students who have found mainstream education challenging?

KPI Education is working with a specialist educational setting in the Macclesfield area to recruit a Graduate Pastoral Teaching Assistant for September 2026.

The school supports young people who require a more personalised and structured approach to education, including students who may have experienced exclusion or difficulties engaging with mainstream schools.

This is an excellent opportunity for a graduate considering a career in teaching, psychology, youth work, social care, SEN or pastoral education.

The Role

Working alongside teachers and pastoral professionals, you will provide day-to-day support to students, helping them feel settled, engage with learning and develop positive routines.

You will play an important role in building students' confidence, encouraging positive behaviour and helping young people overcome barriers to education.

Your Responsibilities

You will:

• Support pupils during lessons and structured activities.
• Provide individual and small-group pastoral support.
• Encourage positive attitudes towards education and attendance.
• Help students manage emotions and challenging situations.
• Build trusting relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Promote confidence, independence and resilience.
• Reinforce positive behaviour and consistent expectations.
• Support pupils with transitions throughout the school day.
• Communicate concerns and observations to teaching and pastoral staff.
• Maintain appropriate records relating to student support.
• Assist with individual strategies designed to improve engagement.
• Help prepare students for their next stage of education or employment.
• Follow safeguarding and school procedures at all times.

Who We're Looking For

You must be educated to degree level and have the maturity and resilience required to work in a specialist setting.

Your background could include:

• Teaching or Education
• Psychology or Criminology
• Youth or Community Work
• Social or Residential Care
• Police or Emergency Services
• Prison, Probation or Youth Justice
• Sports Coaching or Mentoring
• SEN or Pastoral Support
• Mental Health or Community Support

Previous school or alternative provision experience is desirable but not essential.

We are looking for someone with:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Patience, resilience and emotional maturity.
• A calm and supportive approach.
• Confidence working with challenging situations.
• The ability to establish positive boundaries.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• A professional approach to safeguarding and confidentiality.
• The ability to work effectively within a wider team.