Teaching Assistant

Principal Recruitment; Barking; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Free safeguarding and SEND training

Route into permanent TA work

Job summary

Principal Education is recruiting Teaching Assistants to work across Barking and Dagenham in primary, secondary and specialist schools. No formal teaching qualification required, experience with children valued. You will support pupils 1:1 or in small groups, in mainstream or specialist provision.

Most roles are full time, Monday to Friday, term time only, with flexible daily supply available. A DBS update service is preferred and eligibility to work in the UK is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven right to work in the UK.
• Willingness to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate (Update Service preferred).
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in changing school environments.
• Patience, empathy and reliability when supporting pupils.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• Experience with or exposure to SEND or behavioural support is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils one-to-one or in small groups in mainstream or specialist settings.
• Collaborate with class teachers to maintain a calm, inclusive classroom.
• Assist with learning activities and manage behaviour in line with school policies.
• Attend training and contribute to safeguarding and SEND initiatives.

Skills

Right to work in UK

DBS Update Service

Flexible & adaptable

Patience & empathy

Reliability

Composure under pressure

Job description

Principal Education is looking for Teaching Assistants to work in primary, secondary and specialist schools across Barking and Dagenham.

Barking and Dagenham has the largest under 16 population in the country and one of the fastest growing SEND cohorts in London. Local schools need good Teaching Assistants and they need them now. We work with these schools directly, so registering with us puts you in front of live vacancies rather than a database.

No formal teaching qualification is needed. Experience with children matters more, whether that came from a school, a nursery, youth work, care work or your own family.

The role

As a Teaching Assistant you will support pupils 1:1 or in small groups, either in mainstream classrooms or in specialist provision. Many of the pupils you work with will have autism, ADHD, SEMH needs or complex learning difficulties. You will work alongside the class teacher to keep the classroom calm, inclusive and moving, and you will see the difference you make week to week.

Most roles are full time, Monday to Friday, term time only, which gives pupils the consistency they need. Flexible daily supply is also available if you would rather pick your own days.

What you MUST demonstrate

• Right to work in the UK
• A genuine interest in supporting pupils with special educational needs and behavioural challenges
• Patience, empathy, composure and reliability
• Flexibility and adaptability
• An enhanced DBS certificate registered with the Update Service, or willingness to complete a new application
• Overseas police clearance if you have lived abroad for 6 months or more in the last 5 years
• Living in or able to commute to Barking and Dagenham

Pay and benefits

• £105 to £130 per day, depending on experience
• Higher rates for ongoing roles, aligned with school pay scales
• Weekly pay
• Free safeguarding and SEND training
• A route into permanent Teaching Assistant work with schools that know you