Teaching Assistant - Level 2

New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, Oldham; Failsworth; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

The Trustees of Samuel Laycock School, part of New Bridge MAT, invite applications for a Level 2 Teaching Assistant to cover maternity leave at Samuel Laycock School, Ashton Under Lyne. Salary is NJC scale points 5-11 (£25,583-£28,142) full-time, pro rata £20,293-£22,323, with SEN allowance £1,590 and 34 hours per week across 195 days.

Post is based at Samuel Laycock School but staff may work across New Bridge Group sites. Commencing Sept 2026; closing date Mon 5 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

• Previous experience of working with young people of school age who may present with challenging behaviour and complex needs.
• Experience of supporting teaching and learning within a special needs setting to a dedicated group of students.
• Experience of supporting the class teacher to monitor student progress, ensuring their improved engagement with the school and their learning.
• Experience of recording student progress and providing regular feedback to stakeholders.
• Experience of working in partnership with classroom teachers to differentiate appropriate interventions for students in relation to the curriculum.
• The ability to model and encourage appropriate social behaviour in and out of school and to cater for the general welfare of students.
• A nurturing and empathetic approach to behaviour management.
• The physical and emotional resilience to support students with Special Educational and sometimes complex needs, taking a non-judgemental approach.
• The ability to work as part of a team using own initiative when needed.
• Willingness to participate in own professional development.

Skills

Challenging behaviour

Complex needs

Special needs setting

Differentiation

Teamwork

Professional development

Job description

Ref: 001440

The Trustees are looking to recruit to the post of Level 2 Teaching Assistant

Samuel Laycock School

Ashton Under Lyne

NJC scale points 5-11: £25,583 £28,142 per annum (full time equivalent)

Actual Salary range pro rata: £20,293 - £22,323

SEN Allowance (£1,590 per annum, pro rata)

Commencing as soon as possible

At Samuel Laycock School we are constantly striving to create the best learning opportunities for every pupil. We aim to provide a specialist, high quality, relevant and balanced education for pupils aged 11-16 who have moderate learning difficulties, autistic spectrum condition and severe learning difficulties. We also tailor the learning experiences for individual pupils’ social and emotional development and communication needs. All children and young people at Samuel Laycock School have an Education Health and Care Plan. You can view our school’s website here. Additionally, please view our promotional video here. In our most recent staff survey, colleagues rated their wellbeing at an impressive 7.09, reflecting our ongoing commitment to creating a supportive and positive workplace.

Samuel Laycock is delighted to be part of the New Bridge Multi Academy Trust (MAT) having joined on 1st April 2022. The Trust is a growing family of schools catering for young people aged 4 to 19 with an EHCP currently in the local authorities of Oldham, Tameside and Rochdale. Samuel Laycock was visited by Ofsted inspectors in October 2024. The school was graded as 'Outstanding' in most areas. You can view our latest Ofsted report here.

The Trustees are looking to appoint an experienced and motivated Level 2 Teaching Assistant on a fixed term contract to cover maternity leave, joining our dynamic, growing and committed staff team.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate how they meet the following essential criteria:

• Previous experience of working with young people of school age who may present with challenging behaviour and complex needs, preferably within an educational setting
• Experience of supporting teaching and learning within a special needs setting to a dedicated group of students
• Experience of supporting the class teacher to monitor student progress, ensuring their improved engagement with the school and their learning
• Experience of recording student progress and providing regular feedback to stakeholders
• Experience of working in partnership with classroom teachers to differentiate appropriate interventions for students in relation to the curriculum
• The ability to model and encourage appropriate social behaviour in and out of school and to cater for the general welfare of students
• A nurturing and empathetic approach to behaviour management
• The physical and emotional resilience to support students with Special Educational and sometimes complex needs, taking a non-judgemental approach
• The ability to work as part of a team using own initiative when needed
• Willingness to participate in own professional development

This post will be based initially at Samuel Laycock School in Ashton Under Lyne, however, all staff are employed by the MAT and are expected to work at any site within the New Bridge Group if required.

New Bridge MAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must have a commitment to safeguarding young people. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and references will be sought prior to interview.

This post will be subject to a number of pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. It will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here.

For successful candidates, an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023

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.

Salary: NJC scale points 5-11: £25,583 £28,142 per annum (full time equivalent)

Actual Salary range pro rata: £20,293 £22,323

SEN allowance: £1,590 per annum

Hours of work: 34 per week /TTO + 5 days (195 days)

Based: Samuel Laycock School, Broadoak Road, Ashton Under Lyne

Commencing: September 2026

Status: Permanent

Closing Date: Monday 5 October 2026

Interviews: TBC.

School information: Gilly Mather: [e-mail]