Teaching Assistant

SMART Education Recruitment; Stourbridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

SMART Education Recruitment in the Stourbridge area is seeking a full-time Teaching Assistant to support children and young people with additional needs in a specialist SEND setting. This role runs Monday to Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm, starting November 2026, with a practical, hands-on approach that blends classroom learning with outdoor activities such as gardening, animal care, crafts and cooking.

You will provide 1:1 support, assist with personal, social and emotional development, promote

Qualifications

• Previous experience working with children or young people in an educational setting (desirable).
• Genuine passion for supporting children with additional needs.
• Patient, caring and compassionate approach.

Responsibilities

• Offer 1:1 support tailored to each pupil’s needs.
• Assist with personal, social and emotional development.
• Calmly recognise signs of distress and provide reassurance.
• Encourage participation in indoor and outdoor activities.
• Promote independence, confidence and self-esteem.
• Be a positive role model within the learning environment.
• Support practical, creative and outdoor learning throughout the school grounds.

Job description

Are you looking for a Teaching Assistant role where you can truly make a difference, supporting children and young people with additional needs in a unique, practical environment?

A full-time Teaching Assistant opportunity is available in the Stourbridge area, starting in November 2026. This specialist SEND setting offers more than a traditional classroom—learning here extends into gardening, animal care, crafts, woodwork, pottery, and cooking. If you value practical, experiential learning and want to support students’ development through meaningful activities, this could be the ideal role for you.

What's in it for you?

• Full-time Teaching Assistant
• November 2026 start date
• Monday to Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm
• Opportunity to work in a specialist SEND setting that blends classroom and outdoor practical learning
• Support pupils in developing social, emotional, and educational skills through hands-on activities
• Be part of a multidisciplinary, child-centred team
• Develop your SEND skills and broaden your experience in creative, therapeutic education
• Experience real job satisfaction from helping students make progress and build confidence

The Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will provide individualised support to children and young people with a range of learning difficulties and complex needs, including those who may display challenging behaviour. Your day will involve:

• Offering 1:1 support where required, tailored to each pupil’s needs
• Assisting with personal, social, and emotional development
• Calmly recognising signs of distress and providing reassurance
• Encouraging students to participate in activities inside and outside the classroom
• Promoting independence, confidence, and self-esteem
• Acting as a positive role model within the learning environment
• Supporting practical, creative, and outdoor learning throughout the school grounds
• Collaborating with teachers and the wider team to create a safe, nurturing setting

A Different Kind of Curriculum

This school delivers education through a practical skills curriculum based on land, crafts, and the natural environment. Pupils learn by doing, giving them space and support to develop through real-world experiences. If you have an interest in nature, outdoor activities, crafts, or caring for animals, you'll thrive in this role where every day brings variety.

Teaching Assistants here play an integral part in helping pupils settle, regulate emotions, and build essential life skills—both within classroom sessions and as part of wider experiential learning.

What Are We Looking For?

To succeed in this Teaching Assistant position, you will need:

• Previous experience supporting children or young people within an educational setting
• A genuine passion for helping children and young people with additional needs
• A patient, caring, and compassionate approach
• Good literacy and numeracy skills, ideally GCSE English and Maths or equivalent
• Understanding of how children learn and develop
• Confidence working with pupils with complex needs
• Strong communication and observation skills
• Emotional resilience and an ability to stay calm under pressure
• Creativity in problem-solving and supporting learning
• Willingness to support both indoor and outdoor activities
• Reliability, flexibility, and a collaborative attitude
• Desire to continue developing SEND practice
• Enhanced Child/Adult DBS on the Update Service—essential
• Satisfactory references covering the last 24 months
• Availability for full-time hours, Monday to Friday (8:30am–3:30pm), starting November 2026

Location and Package

Location: Stourbridge

Role: Teaching Assistant

Start Date: November 2026

Salary: £95.45 - £97.27 per day

Working Pattern: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm

If you are a resilient and compassionate Teaching Assistant who sees the value in practical, creative learning and believes education can be transformative both in and outside the classroom, this is your chance to join a life-changing setting.