Teaching Assistant (12 Month Fixed Term)

Compass Community; Leigh on Sea; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized school for children with needs is looking for a Teaching Assistant for a 12-month fixed term position. The role involves supporting teachers, working directly with children with complex behaviors, and actively contributing to decision-making. Candidates should have experience in Special Educational Needs. Competitive salary and extensive training are offered as part of the benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities

Enhanced occupational sickness scheme

Flexible pension

Employee benefit service with access to wellbeing services

Qualifications

• Candidates must have experience of working with SEN.
• Use of makaton/British sign language is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support teachers in the classroom.
• Work with children 1:1 or deliver sessions with small groups.
• Manage classroom resources and keep children safe.
• Participate in therapy sessions and reflect on difficult periods.

Skills

Experience with Special Educational Needs

Makaton/British sign language

Job description

Teaching Assistant (12 Month Fixed Term)

Who We Are

Compass Community School Boleyn Park is an innovative provider for 7‑16 year‑old pupils with Special Educational Needs located in Westcliffe‑on‑Sea, Essex. We are a small special school, which provides a personalised education for up to 12 pupils with severe complexity of needs, primarily learning disabilities but also associated health or physical disabilities, and other behaviours which challenge.

Our work is varied and challenging and, as a trauma and attachment informed organisation, all staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support. Our closely triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and, most importantly, our students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes for all.

The Role

TAs at our school know that no two days are the same and that no two children are the same either. Our children require very special adults who can support children with complex and challenging behaviours. They will know that our children require lots of attention, just the right sort of communication, consistency and flexibility in equal measure, and a non‑judgemental approach. They need to be resilient, persistent and solution‑focussed to meet the needs of our children and, to do so, they need to wear a lot of hats and be prepared to change them at a moment’s notice!

Our Teaching Assistants may be:

• supporting teachers in the classroom
• working with children 1:1 or delivering sessions with small groups of students
• managing classroom resources
• taking children on trips and visits
• having their lunch with children who struggle socially
• managing heightened behaviours and keeping children safe
• playing board games
• conducting science experiments
• making amazing displays
• celebrating success
• part of therapy sessions or reflecting on difficult periods

We want our TAs to be part of the decision making that drives our school, provides outcomes for children and advocates for every child. We welcome their input in developing both the academic curriculum and the opportunities in our extra‑curricular offer – bringing their own interests and passions to the table.

Candidates must have experience of working with SEN. Use of makaton/British sign language is desirable but not essential.

Benefits And Rewards

• Competitive salary
• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities
• Small class sizes with specialist TA support
• The chance to be part of an expanding, national organisation that recognises skill, effort and potential and grows its own leadership teams
• Enhanced occupational sickness scheme
• Flexible pension
• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision
• Employee benefit service with access to wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, high street vouchers, money off eating‑out and takeaways

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if we identify suitable candidates.

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media use. All school-based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children.

All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.

Compass is an equal‑opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

About You

Not Specified