Pastoral Support Assistant

AMA Admin; Ponteland; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive team

Professional development

Career progression

Wellbeing support

Inclusive environment

Job summary

Milk Education is seeking a compassionate Pastoral Assistant for a specialist SEMH school in Ponteland. You will support pupils with SEMH needs, build trusting relationships, and assist teachers in delivering engaging activities in a structured setting.

The role emphasizes resilience, excellent communication, and teamwork within a multidisciplinary team, with term-time only and daily responsibilities aligned to school needs.

Qualifications

• Experience with SEMH/SEND or challenging behaviour is desirable but not essential.
• Calm, patient and emotionally resilient when supporting pupils.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with colleagues and families.
• Able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above; TA qualification is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SEMH needs in classroom and targeted interventions.
• Build positive relationships to promote emotional wellbeing and resilience.
• Assist teachers with engaging, differentiated learning activities.
• Support behaviour management using restorative approaches.
• Help create a safe, inclusive learning environment.
• Encourage development of social, emotional and communication skills.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, families and external agencies.
• Monitor and record pupil progress, behaviour and wellbeing.
• Supervise pupils during break times and school activities where needed.

Skills

SEMH experience

Calm and patient

Excellent communication

Teamwork

Flexible

Education

GCSE English and Maths (C/4+)

Teaching Assistant qualification desirable

Job description

Pastoral Assistant
Location: Ponteland
Salary: £#removed# per day
Contract: Full-time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026
Join Our Team
We are seeking a compassionate, resilient, and motivated Prastoral Assistant to join our dedicated team at a specialist SEMH school in Ponteland. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
Working alongside teachers and other professionals, you will support pupils to overcome barriers to learning, develop positive relationships, build confidence, and achieve their full potential in a nurturing and structured environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SEMH needs both in the classroom and through targeted interventions.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that promote emotional wellbeing and resilience.
• Assist teachers in delivering engaging, differentiated learning activities.
• Support pupils in managing their behaviour using restorative and trauma-informed approaches.
• Help create a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
• Encourage the development of social, emotional, and communication skills.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, families, and external agencies to support individual pupil outcomes.
• Monitor and record pupil progress, behaviour, and wellbeing.
• Supervise pupils during breaktimes, educational visits, and other school activities where required.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with children or young people with SEMH, SEND, or challenging behaviour (desirable but not essential).
• Is calm, patient, and emotionally resilient.
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Can build positive relationships based on trust, consistency, and respect.
• Is flexible, proactive, and committed to supporting vulnerable learners.
• Can work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Holds GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above).
• A Teaching Assistant qualification or relevant childcare qualification is desirable but not essential.

We Offer

• A supportive and welcoming team.
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• Opportunities for career progression.
• A rewarding role where every day brings the chance to positively impact young people's lives.
• Employee wellbeing support.
• A positive and inclusive working environment.

Safeguarding

Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are proudly APSCo Compliance+ accredited, reflecting our dedication to the highest standards in safer recruitment. All applicants will be subject to thorough compliance checks in line with DfE, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and APSCo guidelines.
If you are passionate about supporting young people with SEMH needs and are ready to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you.