Teaching Assistant

The Witherslack Group; Fir Tree; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training

Holiday entitlement

Progression opportunities

Flexible benefits

Wellbeing resources

Medical cover

Beautiful working environments

Refer a friend £1,000 bonus

Contributory pension

Job summary

The Witherslack Group is seeking a considerate Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder, SEMH and other needs in a Durham setting. You will help learners develop skills, raise self-esteem and work closely with teachers and therapists to implement individual plans.

Applicants should be resilient and dedicated, with classroom experience preferred. The role offers a strong salary, a full benefits package and school holiday alignment in a committed SEND environment.

Qualifications

• Ideally you’ll have experience working in a classroom.
• You’ll be there to help children learn, develop abilities and raise self-esteem.
• You will be resilient and dedicated to support pupils with diverse needs.

Responsibilities

• Support learning for children and young people with special Educational Needs.
• Assist teachers and work with therapists to implement plans.
• Create a positive, inclusive learning environment.
• Encourage pupil engagement and progress in lessons.

Skills

Classroom experience

Resilience

Team player

Supportive attitude

Job description

Teaching Assistant

2026-10-08T00:00:00

County Durham

Durham

GB

DL15 8DS

Any

Witherslack Group

2026-11-06T10:00:58.533

Up to £29,299 + 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

The Granges integrated therapeutic approach and its outstanding impact on the lives of young people have been the blueprint for many of our other integrated settings that have followed in its footsteps. The Grange is a tranquil setting that offers young people an environment to live, learn and grow. We support young people with ADHD, ASD, Aspergers and SEMH and have recently been rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

The staff team boast a level of experience and expertise that position the Grange as one of only a few settings that can successfully support some of the most vulnerable and acute SEN young people in the country. The Grange is now widely recognised as one of the best SEN provisions in the country.

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 with 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.

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.

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

TPBN1_UKTJ

#s1-Gen

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. Theres 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 inYoull be working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Youll 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 youre 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, youll 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 well be with you every step of the way, helping you build a rewarding teaching career.

One of the best environments in SEND

The Granges integrated therapeutic approach and its outstanding impact on the lives of young people have been the blueprint for many of our other integrated settings that have followed in its footsteps.The Grange is a tranquil setting that offers young people an environment to live, learn and grow. We support young people with ADHD, ASD, Aspergers and SEMH and have recently been rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

The staff team boast a level of experience and expertise that position the Grange as one of only a few settings that can successfully support some of the most vulnerable and acute SEN young people in the country. The Granges is now widely recognised as one of the best SEN provisions in the country.

What we do for you

We know youre 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 with 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.