Teaching Assistant (12 Month Fixed Term)

Compass Community; Westbury; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Training opportunities

Small class sizes

National expansion

Sickness scheme

Flexible pension

Therapist supervision

Wellbeing services

Job summary

Compass Community is a trauma-informed organisation that supports children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH) and SEND. Our Teaching Assistants work closely with teachers, therapists and families to secure outstanding outcomes for every child.

Our TAs may support classrooms, work 1:1 or with small groups, manage resources and accompany pupils on trips, while contributing to displays and therapeutic activities in a safe learning environment.

Qualifications

• The Teaching Assistants support children with complex social needs and behaviors, contributing to a safe, supportive classroom environment.
• They work with teachers to deliver sessions and assist with therapy-informed approaches.
• Staff are encouraged to contribute to curriculum development and extracurricular activities.

Responsibilities

• Support teachers in the classroom.
• Work with children 1:1 or in small groups.
• Manage classroom resources.
• Take children on trips and visits.
• Have lunch with children who struggle socially.
• Assist in managing heightened behaviours and keeping children safe.
• Play board games.
• Conduct science experiments.
• Create amazing displays.
• Celebrate student successes.
• Participate in therapy sessions or reflect on difficult periods.

Job description

Who We Are

Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many will also have other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties.

Key Dates

Deadline for Applications:11/09/26

Interview Date: W/C 14/09/26

Who We Are

Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many will also have other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties. The work we do is both 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.

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

The Values Awards

At Compass, our strength comes from the values we live by every day – Integrity, Care and Courage. These aren’t just words that we put on our website or on a poster; they’re visible in the actions you take to support children, families and each other, often in ways that go unseen. That’s why we are launching the Compass Values Awards, to spotlight actions that embody Integrity, Care or Courage across all parts of our community. Read on to learn about how it works, what the nomination in each category looks like, and which teams fall within each service. 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. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.

About You

About Us

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