Special Needs Assistant - Wantage

Academics Ltd; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist school in Wantage is seeking a Special Needs Assistant to join their team starting in January 2026. If you are proactive and compassionate, this role involves providing personalized support to vulnerable children with Autism and other learning difficulties. You will assist with classroom activities and contribute to creating supportive learning environments. This full-time role offers a daily rate of £85 to £100 and will take place during term time, making it a rewarding opportunity for those looking to pursue a career in education or psychology.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children is desirable but not essential.
• Kindness and compassion are essential qualities.
• Must understand safeguarding importance and possess enhanced DBS certificate or willingness to apply.

Responsibilities

• Assist with classroom activities and provide 1 to 1 support during lessons.
• Build rapport and trusting relationships with staff and students.
• Contribute to creating sensory-friendly learning spaces tailored to each child.

Skills

Experience working with children

Proactive attitude

Compassionate

Job description

Special Needs Assistant - Wantage

Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to be involved in meaningful and rewarding work daily?

A fantastic specialist school in Wantage are on the hunt for a Special Needs Assistant to join their team starting in the new year - January 2026!

As a Special Needs Assistant, you will be directly involved in making a huge difference to the lives of vulnerable children while they aim to reach their academic milestones.

The role

• In your role as a Special Needs Assistant, you will work closely with experienced educators and a multi-disciplinary team to provide personalized assistance and interventions to children who struggle with Autism and a variety of other learning difficulties.
• The children who attend this school struggle with a variety of additional needs. They have also been seen to have social, emotional and mental health needs.
• This can be overwhelming for them to cope with in addition to ensuring that they are getting the most from their education.
• This is where you come in! You will provide daily support as an SEN TA to these children either in the form of 1 to 1 support or in small groups where you can ensure that the children are getting the attention they deserve!

The Responsibilities

• Your responsibilities as an Special Needs Assistant will be to assist with classroom activities, provide 1 to 1 support during lessons and implement intervention plans designed to promote student's academics and life skills.
• You will also work at building rapport and a trusting relationship with staff and students.
• While you will collaborate with the teaching team, you will contribute to the creation of sensory-friendly learning spaces and teaching techniques that have been individually tailored to meet the needs of each specific child.

What is needed to be a successful Special Needs Assistant

• Experience working with children is desirable but not entirely essential.
• What is important is your personality and how well you take initiative.
• The school are looking for someone who is proactive and gets involved. Being kind and compassionate is a huge plus.
• You must understand the importance of safeguarding and have an enhanced DBS certificate or be willing to apply for one. We can facilitate your application.

Key information

• Special Needs Assistant
• Wantage
• 85 - 100 per day
• January 2026
• Small class sizes
• Term time position
• Full time

This is an amazing opportunity where you can add to the lives of these vulnerable students. You will play a really important role in ensuring that they are able to access their education in a way that is suitable for them. You will also benefit from being surrounded by a multi-disciplinary team, which is an excellent opportunity to gain insight and advice if you are looking to be on the path of a career in education or psychology.

Apply now if you are interested in this position! Interviews will be taking place in January 2026. You can apply directly to this advert.

Special Needs Assistant - Wantage - January 2026 Start - Full time