SEN Teaching Assistant - Level 1

Oldham-Council; Failsworth; On-site; GBP 19,044 - 24,796; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

SEN allowance

Fixed term & permanent positions

Job summary

New Bridge School in Oldham is seeking a committed SEN Teaching Assistant Level 1 to join our dedicated team. The post is fixed term and permanent, with a salary comprising NJC scale point 3 (£24,796) plus SEN allowance (£1,539) and an actual pro rata salary of £19,044.

The role involves supporting pupils with diverse needs in the Main Body, assisting class teachers, and contributing to a safe, engaging learning environment. Closing date and interview dates apply as listed.

Qualifications

• Previous experience of working with young people of primary/secondary school age who may present with challenging behaviour and complex needs, preferably within an educational setting.
• A nurturing and empathetic approach to behaviour management
• The physical and emotional resilience to support students with complex needs, taking a non-judgemental approach
• The ability to support teaching and learning within a special needs setting to a dedicated group of students
• The ability to record student progress and provide regular feedback to stakeholders.
• The ability to model and encourage appropriate social behaviour in and out of school and to cater for the general welfare of students.
• The ability to work in partnership with classroom teachers to differentiate appropriate interventions for students in relation to the curriculum
• The ability to work as part of a team using own initiative when needed
• Willingness to participate in own professional development

Responsibilities

• Support main body pupils in lessons and assist with class activities.
• Assist form groups and support pupils as they move between lessons.
• Monitor student progress and provide feedback to teachers and parents where appropriate.
• Support pupils with complex needs and behavioural support strategies as directed byTeachers.
• Contribute to creating a positive, inclusive learning environment.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training.

Skills

SEN

Teaching Assistant

Job description

Ref: 001645

The Trustees are looking to recruit to the posts of SEN Teaching Assistant Level 1

Fixed & Permanent Posts

New Bridge School (Roman Road Campus)

NJC scale point 3: £24,796 per annum (full time, full year salary)

Actual salary: £19,044 per annum pro rata

SEN Allowance £1,539 per annum

Commencing as soon as notice period of applicant will allow

We have an opportunity for an ambitious, passionate individual to take on the role of a teaching assistant in our school. Build your meaningful future with us and take your career to the next level.

Site: New Bridge School, Roman Road, Hollinwood, Oldham.

Department: Main Body

Salary: TA1 £19,044 + SEN £1,539

If you’re the kind of person dedicated to improving the lives of children, you’re just the person New Bridge is looking for.

Why New Bridge?

“Staff are proud to work at the school. They are highly supported in their professional development”

Ofsted Report February 2025

We are committed to making a difference where it matters most to create meaningful futures for all

We invest in developing talent through our strong focus on coaching and training.

We nurture teams: fostering a sense of belonging secured by strong purpose and healthy relationships.

As we are a talent first organisation, we are always looking to find people who align themselves to our mission and values. If you feel that could be you then we would love to hear from you.

If you’re the kind of person that is committed to improving the lives of children, by having the ability to build good working relationships, utilising organisational skills, being flexible and innovative, and enjoy working with a range of different stakeholders, then you are the person to support our children and lead our staff. We pride ourselves on being the New Bridge ‘community’, a vocational destination, not just a job.

The school has an Outstanding rated provision which caters for 363 pupils with a wide range of SEND, from moderate learning difficulties to profound and multiple learning difficulties, including severe and complex learning difficulties. The school is popular with families both in Oldham and the surrounding boroughs and our numbers are increasing year on year. We are excited about being able to expand our teaching roles and create new vacancies to meet the needs of our new pupils. The school also caters for a wide range of pupils including those with physical disabilities, multisensory impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments and autism spectrum conditions. All pupils have an EHC plan. In order to cater to the needs of the range of pupils the school has developed a range of different provisions, including our Key Stage 3 main body, Autism Base, Interactive Base and Key Stage 4 Community Living Groups.

Our vision is to create meaningful futures and as the result of staff moving into promoted posts the Trustees are looking to appoint a number of resilient and enthusiastic Level 1 Teaching Assistants to join our dynamic, growing and committed staff team in the following areas:

Main Body:

Our main body provision is for pupils who are working towards a destination of being independent or working with support in their community. With this in mind the curriculum is underpinned by the intent to maximise the ability for every pupil to live as independently as possible. To achieve this, we seek to offer an engaging, fun and relevant curriculum that is flexible to the needs of our pupils and which reflects EHCP outcomes and supports their wellbeing. In the main body we implement this through a blended model where 70% of lessons are delivered by the form tutor, including English, Maths, Science, Living Skills and RSE. Other Enrichment subjects such as Art, PE, Music and Cooking are delivered by subject specialist teachers. Our main body groups are usually 13 pupils or less with a one teacher and up to two TA’s depending on the needs of the pupils in the group. As a TA1 in our main body

you would be assigned to a form group and would support this group both when they are with the class teacher and also when they move around the school to their other subjects.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate how they meet the following essential criteria:

• Previous experience of working with young people of primary/secondary school age who may present with challenging behaviour and complex needs, preferably within an educational setting
• A nurturing and empathetic approach to behaviour management
• The physical and emotional resilience to support students with complex needs, taking a non-judgemental approach
• The ability to support teaching and learning within a special needs setting to a dedicated group of students
• The ability to support the class teacher to monitor student progress, ensuring their improved engagement with the school and their learning
• The ability to record student progress and provide regular feedback to stakeholders.
• The ability to model and encourage appropriate social behaviour in and out of school and to cater for the general welfare of students.
• The ability to work in partnership with classroom teachers to differentiate appropriate interventions for students in relation to the curriculum
• The ability to work as part of a team using own initiative when needed
• Willingness to participate in own professional development

Although based initially at our Roman Road site, all staff are employed by the MAT and are expected to work at any site within the New Bridge Group.

New Bridge MAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must have a commitment to safeguarding young people. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service, and references will be sought prior to interview. For all shortlisted candidates, an online search will also 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, full year salary)

Actual salary: £19,044 per annum pro rata

Allowance: SEN allowance £1,539 per annum

Status: Fixed term & Permanent positions available

Contracted hours: 32 hours per 55 minutes per week / term time only (195 days)

Based: Initially at New Bridge School, Roman Road, Hollinwood, OL8 3PH

Closing Date: Friday 28 August 2026 (9am)

Interviews: w/c Monday 14 September 2026

Further Info: Debbie Birch-Hall, Deputy Head of School [e-mail]

Completed applications to be sent to: [e-mail]