Level 1 Teaching Assistant

The Hawthorns School; Tameside; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Westfield Health plan

Term time only plus additional pay or/

Greater Manchester Pension Scheme

Free parking

Job summary

The Hawthorns School in Tameside is seeking Level 1 Teaching Assistant on a fixed-term contract to August 2027. Salary is NJC Scale Point 3 (£24,796 full-time equivalent), with pro rata figures for actual salary (£18,367) and an SEN allowance (£1,504).

The role involves supporting children with SEND and working in a supportive team within a primary special school. Contract is term-time with hours 31 hours 45 minutes per week, 195 days, Monday to Friday.

Qualifications

• Physically strong and resilient.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviour.
• Able to respond quickly to unexpected situations.
• Calm and patient, particularly in difficult situations.
• Kind and caring nature with the ability to support children's physical, social and emotional needs.
• Willingness to take part in outdoor activities in all weather conditions.
• Passionate about enriching the lives of SEND Children.
• Good communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
• Flexible and reliable.
• Knowledge of safeguarding.
• Experience of working with SEND children with an autism diagnosis.

Skills

Physical strength

Resilience

Behaviour management

Quick response

Calm under pressure

Empathy

Teamwork

Flexibility

Safeguarding knowledge

SEND/Autism experience

Job description

The Trustees are looking to recruit to the post of

Level 1 Teaching Assistant

Hawthorns School, Tameside

Fixed term contract to August 2027

NJC Scale Point 3 - £24,796 per annum (full time equivalent) - Pay award pending

Actual salary pro rata: £18,367 per annum

SEN Allowance pro rata: £1,504 per annum

Commencing as soon as possible

About Hawthorns School

Hawthorns School is a successful and happy primary special school located in Hattersley, Tameside. All our pupils are primary age with an EHCP and have complex learning difficulties and Autism, or on the pathway for diagnosis of autism.

Hawthorns School is part of New Bridge Multi-Academy Trust, a cluster of special schools, supporting the learning, social and pastoral needs of over 700 young people aged between 4 and 19 years.

We invite applications from candidates with a genuine interest in supporting children with a range of special educational needs, who can show initiative, and are able to work effectively in a team.

About you

• Physically strong and resilient.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviour.
• Able to respond quickly to unexpected situations.
• Calm and patient, particularly in difficult situations.
• Kind and caring nature with the ability to support children's physical, social and emotional needs.
• Willingness to take part in outdoor activities in all weather conditions.
• Passionate about enriching the lives of SEND Children.
• Good communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
• Flexible and reliable.
• Knowledge of safeguarding.
• Experience of working with SEND children with an autism diagnosis.

What makes this job so amazing?

The successful candidates will have the opportunity to work in a fun environment with a dynamic team. They will be working with people who are passionate about the support and learning at Hawthorns. Successful candidates will benefit from:

• A fun environment where no two days are the same (expect the unexpected!)
• A fantastic supportive team.
• Working with an experienced team who can share valuable knowledge and skills.
• Career and development opportunities.
• The chance to make a real difference.
• Westfield Health plan
• Term time only plus additional pay or lieu time for inset days & after school training (outside of contracted hours)
• Greater Manchester Pension Scheme
• Free parking

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment.

This post will be subject to a number of pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. It will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here.

For successful candidates, an online search will be carried out as part of our due-diligence in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025

We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation

Salary: NJC Scale Point 3 - £24,796 per annum (full time equivalent) - pay award pending

Actual salary pro rata: £18,367 per annum

SEN allowance pro rata: £1,504 per annum

Contracted hours: 31 hours 45 minutes per week / term time only (195 days) Monday to Friday 08:45-15:30 for 4 days & 08:45-16:00 on Wednesdays.

Status: Fixed Term until August 2027

Based: Hawthorns, Hattersley

Commencing: As soon as possible

Closing Date: Friday 18th September 2026 (9am)

Interviews: TBC

Further info: Gail Lovell - [e-mail]

We invite applications from candidates with a genuine interest in supporting children with a range of special educational needs, who can show initiative, and are able to work effectively in a team.

About you

• Physically strong and resilient.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviour.
• Able to respond quickly to unexpected situations.
• Calm and patient, particularly in difficult situations.
• Kind and caring nature with the ability to support children's physical, social and emotional needs.
• Willingness to take part in outdoor activities in all weather conditions.
• Passionate about enriching the lives of SEND Children.
• Good communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
• Flexible and reliable.
• Knowledge of safeguarding.
• Experience of working with SEND children with an autism diagnosis.

What makes this job so amazing?

The successful candidates will have the opportunity to work in a fun environment with a dynamic team. They will be working with people who are passionate about the support and learning at Hawthorns. Successful candidates will benefit from:

• A fun environment where no two days are the same (expect the unexpected!)
• A fantastic supportive team.
• Working with an experienced team who can share valuable knowledge and skills.
• Career and development opportunities.
• The chance to make a real difference.
• Westfield Health plan
• Term time only plus additional pay or lieu time for inset days & after school training (outside of contracted hours)
• Greater Manchester Pension Scheme
• Free parking

Fixed term contract to August 2027

NJC Scale Point 3 - £24,796 per annum (full time equivalent) - Pay award pending

Actual salary pro rata: £18,367 per annum

SEN Allowance pro rata: £1,504 per annum

Commencing as soon as possible

About Hawthorns School

Hawthorns School is a successful and happy primary special school located in Hattersley, Tameside. All our pupils are primary age with an EHCP and have complex learning difficulties and Autism, or on the pathway for diagnosis of autism.

• Term time only plus additional pay or lieu time for inset days & after school training (outside of contracted hours)
• Greater Manchester Pension Scheme
• Free parking

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment.

This post will be subject to a number of pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. It will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here.

For successful candidates, an online search will be carried out as part of our due-diligence in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025

We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation

Salary: NJC Scale Point 3 - £24,796 per annum (full time equivalent) - pay award pending

Actual salary pro rata: £18,367 per annum

SEN allowance pro rata: £1,504 per annum

Contracted hours: 31 hours 45 minutes per week / term time only (195 days) Monday to Friday 08:45-15:30 for 4 days & 08:45-16:00 on Wednesdays.

Status: Fixed Term until August 2027