Secondary School Teaching Assistant

WG060 Witherslack Group Ltd; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full induction and on-the-job training

Holiday: full school holidays

Career progression from within

Flexible benefits (life insurance)

Wellbeing tools and resources

Medical cover (optical/dental)

Modern, well‑resourced environments

Recommend a friend scheme: £1,000

Contributory pension 5% matching

Job summary

Witherslack Group is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant for Ashbrooke School in the North East. You will support learners with ASD/SEMH, helping them access lessons and build confidence under guidance from a skilled team.

The role offers a competitive salary up to £28,347 and extensive benefits. You will join a supportive, well-resourced SEND environment with opportunities for progression and training.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a classroom setting.
• Demonstrates resilience and dedication in challenging situations.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Genuine passion for supporting children to learn and grow.

Responsibilities

• Support learning for children and young people with ASD/SEMH needs.
• Help raise self-esteem and develop abilities through classroom activities.
• Collaborate with teachers and therapists to implement plans.

Skills

can do attitude

team player

classroom experience

resilience

Job description

Up to £28,347 + Excellent Benefits

Those Huge Small Victories Our Teaching Assistants are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things. There’s lots of ups and downs, and to some of our young people, sitting through a lesson can be a big win. We call these huge small victories and whilst they may seem small on the surface, they add up to make a big difference. Check out this video on what life as a Teaching Assistant at Witherslack Group is like! Get out what you put in

You’ll be working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. You’ll be there to help them learn, develop their abilities and raise their self-esteem. You will need to be resilient and dedicated, but those huge small victories that you achieve will be something you’re really proud of. It can be a tough journey, but the positive steps forward will more than make up for it.

As a Teaching Assistant at Witherslack Group, you’ll get all the support you need to succeed. Your colleagues will be the best at what they do, the school environments will be well‑resourced and we’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you build a rewarding teaching career.

One of the best environments in SEND

You’ll be joining Ashbrooke School, one of the leading SEN settings in the North East. A purpose‑built school with specialist classrooms, extensive grounds and sporting facilities, plus a purpose‑built primary provision – Ashbrooke supports young people with ADHD, ASD, SEMH and SLCN.

What we do for you

We know you’re going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you’ll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:

• Training: A full induction and on the job training
• Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with full school holidays
• Progression: If career development is your thing, most of our head teachers and leaders have been promoted from within our group
• Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance – check out our benefits here
• Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
• Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high‑street discounts
• Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities – check out our schools here
• A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
• Contributory pension (matched up to 5%)

Bring your whole‑self to work

Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves.

You’ll be more than a Teaching Assistant, you’ll be able to connect with our pupils because of:

• Your ‘can do’ attitude – a team player who rolls up their sleeves to help others
• Ideally you’ll have experience working in a classroom, but if not, we can provide you will all the relevant training
• Your genuine passion for supporting children to learn and the impact it can have on their lives
• Your enthusiasm and expertise to support the teacher and work closely with our therapists

Interested in joining us? At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong. As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference- especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way. By building a diverse and inclusive team, we’re better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

For a full job description and person specification, please

To view our ex‑offenders policy please

To view our Child Protection Policy,

You can find all our Schools

Special Education / Careers in Care / Careers in Special Education / Working with Children / SEMH / SEN / ASD

We are the highest Ofsted‑rated provider in the country for special education and care. Our teams are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things. There’s lots of ups and downs, and to some of our young people, just sitting through a lesson can be a big win. We call these huge small victories and whilst they may seem small on the surface, they add up to make a big difference. We live and learn with children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, communication difficulties (such as Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, or speech, language and communication needs), ADHD or complex learning needs. We have the most joined‑up model in SEN, the best environments and we are proud of what we do.

Mission:

We are the leading provider of specialist education and care for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, communication difficulties (autistic spectrum conditions; speech, language and communication needs), ADHD and complex learning needs.