Level 2 Teaching assistant

Cherry Oak School; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Federation of Cherry Oak School and Victoria School in Birmingham is seeking a Grade A Teaching Assistant to support pupils with autism and complex needs. The role is term-time only, 32.5 hours per week, permanent, with duties spanning communication, behaviour support, and collaborative teamwork.

The successful candidate will promote confidence, creativity, and bespoke education, while upholding safeguarding and professional development within a supportive school community.

Qualifications

• Desire to work with pupils on the autistic spectrum.
• Willingness to learn more about Autism and other diagnosed Special Educational Needs.
• Ability to follow and implement key information such as Positive Behaviour Management Plans and related profiles.
• I can do attitude and flexibility to school needs.
• Ability to work with initiative and as part of a team.
• Clear, effective communication with pupils and colleagues.
• Desire to take ownership of tasks.
• Passion for supporting children with Special Needs.
• Commitment to safeguarding pupils.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Translating the unspoken using sensory and trauma-informed approaches.
• Supporting pupils to access communication and learning opportunities.
• Collaborating with a team of staff to promote confidence and resilience.

Skills

Autistic spectrum

Autism awareness

Positive Behaviour Plans

Can-do attitude

Initiative

Clear communication

Ownership

Special needs support

Safeguarding

Numeracy

Literacy

Job description

Federation of Cherry Oak School and Victoria School
Based at: Cherry Oak School, 60 Frederick Road, B29 6PB

Grade A (Previously referred to as a Level 2) Teaching Assistant -
32.5 Hours per week - Term Time Only - Permanent
(Working Pattern - Monday - Friday)

Other working patterns may be considered

Salary Range: £21209 - £23912 Actual Salary Inc. SEN Allowance of £1507 FTE

Are you ready to be the highlight of someone’s day? To be the person who unlocks a child’s potential when the rest of the world sees a closed door?

Cherry Oak School for pupils with cognition and communication difficulties and Autism is a vibrant, high-energy community where "standard" doesn't exist and "extraordinary" is our baseline. We aren't just looking for support staff; we are looking for promotors of confidence, champions of communication, and specialists in the art of the possible.

Why Cherry Oak?

Working here isn't just a job—it’s an adventure in empathy and innovation. Our pupils are diverse, spirited, and face complex challenges, but they also possess incredible strengths.

As part of our team, you won’t just be sitting in a classroom; you’ll be:

• Translating the Unspoken: Using a sensory and trauma informed approach, personalised communication strategies, and creative tech to give every child a voice.
• Celebrating the "Firsts": Experiencing the unmatched rush of a child making eye contact, sharing a resource, or mastering a new skill for the very first time.
• Joining a Community: Working alongside a fierce, supportive team of experts who have your back, share your laughs, and celebrate every victory—no matter how small.

Are You the Missing Piece?

We are seeking to appoint a grade A (previously known as a level 2) Teaching Assistant.

We don’t just hire for qualifications; we hire for heart, humour, and resilience. If you are patient, proactive, and believe that every child deserves a bespoke education that fits them perfectly, we want to meet you.

"At Cherry Oak, we don't just teach. We empower. We don't just care. We advocate. Come and see how much of a difference a single day can make."

Ready to start your most rewarding chapter yet? Your journey at Cherry Oak begins here.

Successful candidates will need to demonstrate

• A desire to work with pupils on the autistic spectrum.
• A willingness to learn more about Autism and other diagnosed Special Educational Needs.
• The ability to follow and implement key pieces of information relating to pupils, such as Positive Behaviour Management Plans, Sensory Differences Profiles, Individual Pupil Risk Assessments, Pupil Profiles and Transition Guidance
• Be flexible to the needs of the school with an “I can do attitude”
• Their ability to work using own initiative, and work effectively as part of a team.
• How they communicate clearly and effectively with pupils and colleagues.
• The desire to take ownership of tasks.
• The passion and commitment to supporting children and young people with Special Needs.
• Be committed to safeguarding our pupils
• Good numeracy and Literacy skills

We can offer you:

• Opportunities to progress in your professional and career development. This includes supporting development to other roles within school.
• Specialist coaching and training you will need to fulfill the role.
• Access to support services such as mental health and well being.
• Being part of a supportive team of individuals.
• We can't train you to be kind, to have initiative, to be friendly, to be resilient, and to be patient, and those are essential qualities for this work.

Closing Date for Applications: Friday 6th November 2026 at 9 am

Interview Date: Thursday 26th November 2026

Safeguarding

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to all necessary pre-employment checks including enhanced DBS; Childcare Disqualification (where applicable); qualifications (where applicable); medical fitness; identity and right to work.

References

All applicants will be required to provide 2 suitable references

Short-Listed Candidates

An online search will also be carried out as part of due diligence on all shortlisted candidates.

Terms and Conditions

Birmingham City Council is a Living Wage Employer

Rehabilitation of Offenders

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and ahs the amended to the Exceptions Order 1975,2013 and 2002.

Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent conviction and cautions are ‘protected’; So they do not need to be disclosed to employers; and if they are disclose, employers cannot take them into account.

Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

The post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016). Therefore, the ability to speak fluent English is an essential requirement for this role.