Teaching Assistant

EmpowerED; Newbury; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

EmpowerED in Newbury is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to support pupils with complex learning needs in a specialist SEND environment. You will work closely with the class teacher and therapists to help pupils access personalised learning and develop communication and independence.

Experience in SEND is welcomed, but transferable skills and a warm, patient approach are key. You’ll join a close-knit team delivering multisensory, practical learning across inside and outside the classroom.

Qualifications

• Prior SEND experience is desirable but transferable skills are acceptable.
• Warm, caring and patient personality.
• Ability to work as part of a close-knit team.
• Able to motivate and encourage children and young people.
• Comfortable with practical and physical elements in a specialist SEND environment.

Responsibilities

• Support children with complex learning difficulties.
• Work with autistic pupils and communication needs.
• Provide individual and small-group support.
• Help pupils access personalised learning activities.
• Develop communication and interaction skills.
• Support sensory and emotional regulation.
• Encourage independence and life skills.
• Use multisensory approaches to teach.
• Support physical and personal care needs when required.
• Assist pupils in activities inside and outside the classroom.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists and other specialists.
• Celebrate pupil progress.

Skills

SEND experience

Communication skills

Patient

Teamwork

Job description

The Teaching Assistant role

As a Teaching Assistant in Newbury, you'll work closely with the class teacher and wider specialist team to support pupils individually and in small groups.

Pupils have individual needs and learning goals, so you'll need to be flexible, creative and able to adapt your approach to the young person in front of you.

Your day could include:

• Supporting children and young people with complex learning difficulties
• Working with pupils with autism and communication needs
• Providing individual and small-group support
• Helping pupils access personalised learning activities
• Developing communication and interaction skills
• Supporting sensory and emotional regulation
• Encouraging independence and essential life skills
• Using multisensory approaches to make learning accessible
• Supporting physical and personal care needs where required
• Helping pupils participate in activities inside and outside the classroom
• Working alongside teachers, therapists and other specialist professionals
• Celebrating individual progress, however big or small

A genuinely specialist SEND environment

This Teaching Assistant vacancy in Newbury offers the opportunity to gain valuable experience within a highly specialist school.

Pupils follow personalised programmes based around their individual needs and EHCP outcomes, with access to specialist approaches and professionals including Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.

Communication and independence are particularly important, and pupils may use a range of alternative and augmentative communication methods.

As a Teaching Assistant, you'll be an important part of helping pupils use these skills consistently throughout their school day.

Who are we looking for?

For this Teaching Assistant role in Newbury, previous SEND experience would be brilliant, but we're also interested in people with relevant transferable skills and the right personality.

You might currently work within:

• SEND
• Care
• Autism Support
• Learning Disabilities
• Early Years
• Youth Work
• Mental Health
• Support Work
• Residential Care

We're looking for someone who is:

• Warm, caring and patient
• Positive and enthusiastic
• Flexible and adaptable
• Comfortable working as part of a close-knit team
• Able to motivate and encourage children and young people
• Genuinely passionate about helping pupils with SEND reach their potential

You’ll also need to be comfortable with the practical and physical elements that can come with working within a specialist SEND environment.

Why consider this Teaching Assistant opportunity?

Working as a Teaching Assistant at this specialist school in Newbury is about much more than helping with classroom work.

You’ll be supporting young people to communicate, develop relationships, become more independent and access experiences they may otherwise find difficult.

You’ll join a caring and highly specialised team within an environment where learning can take place anywhere – from structured classroom activities to practical experiences and outdoor learning.

It’s an excellent opportunity for someone considering a longer-term career within SEND teaching, therapy, psychology, nursing, social care or specialist education.

Looking for a Teaching Assistant job in Newbury?

EmpowerED | Specialist SEND & Education Recruitment

People first. Always.

EmpowerED is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to our full safeguarding and compliance process, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references