Teaching Assistant 3 with SEND

St James CofE Primary School (Vantage Multi Academy Trust); Manchester; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Warm community

Skilled colleagues

Collaborate across Trust

Professional development

Supportive leadership

Staff benefits package

Job summary

St James CE Primary School is seeking a part-time teaching assistant to support children with autism in our Resource Provision. You will work under guidance to develop communication, independence and engagement using visual supports and structured approaches.

The role focuses on pupils with high-level ASD needs, requires Level 3 TA qualification, and is part of the Vantage CE Academies Trust family in Manchester. Start date 16 November 2026, with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Holds a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent.
• Experience with children with high-level and complex ASD needs is essential.
• Strong practical understanding of autism, including communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation and behaviour.

Skills

Maths

English

SEND

Education

Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent

Job description

Job Details

• Contract Type: Permanent
• Working Hours: Part Time
• Number of Positions: 1
• Qualifications Required: Maths, English, TA3 or equivalent, SEND
• Start Date: 16th November 2026
• Salary: £21,865 - £24,103 per annum

We are looking for someone who doesn't simply want a job as a teaching assistant, but who genuinely wants to develop their expertise in supporting children with autism and make a lasting difference to their lives.

If you have the experience, skills and enthusiasm our children deserve, we would love to hear from you.

Visits to St James are warmly welcomed and encouraged – come and meet us and find out more about our Resource Provision.

At St James CE Primary School, part of the vibrant Vantage CE Academies Trust, we believe every child deserves to feel inspired, supported and excited about learning.

Since 2012, our Trust has grown to ten schools across Manchester, Trafford, Salford, Bolton and Knowsley; each one a place where children and adults achieve more together.

Candidate Profile

• Holds a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent
• Has proven experience of working successfully with children with high-level and complex ASD needs – this is essential.
• Has a strong practical understanding of autism, including communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation and behaviour.
• Can remain calm, confident and consistent when supporting children with complex needs and behaviours that may challenge.
• Understands that behaviour is communication and can look beyond the behaviour to identify and respond to the child's underlying need.
• Can adapt learning and use individualised approaches to help every child experience success.
• Can use visual communication and structured approaches to promote understanding, independence and engagement.
• Builds warm, trusting relationships while maintaining clear and consistent boundaries.
• Is resilient, positive, flexible and ready to get involved.
• Works brilliantly as part of a team and communicates effectively with families and other professionals.

Experience of PECS, Makaton, ELKLAN, Attention Autism, Intensive Interaction, sensory regulation strategies and positive behaviour support would be a real advantage.

Benefits

• A warm, inclusive and diverse school community
• Friendly, motivated and highly skilled colleagues who genuinely care
• Opportunities to collaborate with staff across the Vantage Academy Trust
• Strong commitment to your professional development and career growth
• Supportive leadership who value your voice and your wellbeing
• Access to an extensive staff benefits package

About St James

12-Place Resource Provision for Children who have difficulties accessing mainstream lessons for reasons relating to their Autism or speech, language or communication needs.

Why St James?

Our Resource Provision is an important and valued part of our school community. We want our children to feel safe, understood, included and ambitious about what they can achieve.

You will be joining a supportive team that works closely together, celebrates progress and understands that sometimes the smallest steps represent the biggest achievements.

Our shared curriculum and approach to teaching and learning bring our schools together with a clear, ambitious vision, and we nurture pupils who are:

• Resilient
• Ethical
• Communicators
• Collaborators
• Thinkers
• Adaptable
• Empathetic
• Respectful

These values shape everything we do, and we’re looking for someone who shares them.

Legal & Diversity Statement

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, younger learners and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. The above post will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references and will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here.

This post is also subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and other pre-employment checks where applicable.

We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.