Graduate Teaching Assistant – 1:1 Student Support (EBSA)

Stepintoteaching; Croydon; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Step Into Teaching is offering a Graduate Teaching Assistant position at a welcoming mainstream secondary school in Croydon (CR0). You will work on a 1:1 basis with a student who experiences Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) to rebuild confidence and re-engage with learning.

You'll gain practical experience alongside pastoral and inclusion teams, developing skills in behaviour support, emotional regulation and building trusting relationships that support long‑term progression in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (2:2) required or predicted.
• Demonstrated empathy and ability to build trusting relationships.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; patient and resilient.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 support to the EBSA pupil inside and outside the classroom.
• Collaborate with pastoral and inclusion teams to plan personalised support.
• Support access to learning with differentiation and monitoring progress.
• Contribute to pupil well-being, resilience and confidence in education.

Skills

1:1 support

Empathy

Communication

Teamwork

Patience

Education

Bachelor's degree 2:2

Job description

Are you a recent graduate looking to make a genuine difference in a young person's life?

Considering a career in teaching, educational psychology, counselling, mental health, youth work or SEN support?

Step Into Teaching is offering a unique Graduate Teaching Assistant opportunity within a welcoming mainstream secondary school in the Croydon (CR0) area, supporting one student on a 1:1 basis who experiences Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).

This is an incredibly rewarding role where you'll play a key part in helping one young person rebuild confidence in education, develop trusting relationships, and gradually re-engage with school life.

Every day will be different. Through patience, consistency and encouragement, you'll become a trusted adult who helps reduce anxiety, supports learning, and enables the student to achieve success at their own pace.

What you'll gain:

• Meaningful 1:1 experience supporting a young person with complex emotional needs
• Practical experience working alongside experienced pastoral and inclusion teams
• Skills in behaviour support, emotional regulation and relationship building
• A strong foundation for careers in teaching, educational psychology, counselling, CAMHS, youth work or wider education
• Ongoing support through our Graduate Experience Programme

You'll work closely with teachers, pastoral staff and the SEN department to provide personalised support both inside and outside the classroom, helping the student access learning while promoting independence, resilience and confidence.

We're looking for compassionate, resilient and proactive graduates who genuinely want to make a lasting impact.

Roles starting in September!

The ideal graduate will:

• Hold (or be predicted) a bachelor's degree in any subject (minimum 2:2)
• Be calm, patient and naturally empathetic
• Have excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
• Be resilient and committed to supporting young people through challenges
• Have experience working with children or young people (desirable but not essential)
• Be reflective, adaptable and eager to learn
• Work well as part of a wider pastoral and inclusion team

What you will gain from this role:

• The opportunity to build a genuine, long‑term relationship with one student and directly influence their confidence, wellbeing and engagement with education
• First‑hand experience supporting a young person experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
• Experience working within a mainstream secondary school's pastoral and SEN provision
• Insight into emotional wellbeing, trauma‑informed practice and personalised support strategies
• The confidence and experience to pursue a career within education or child development

September 2026 Start

£500–£530 per week – Term Time Only

Step Into Teaching is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and the successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS Disclosure and Barring Service check.