Teaching Assistant level 3

St James' CofE Primary School Gorton; Manchester; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

St James CE Primary School in Manchester seeks an experienced Teaching Assistant Level 3 to join a 12-place ASD resource provision. You will support children with autism and language needs, applying PECS/Makaton and visual strategies, while building calm, consistent routines in a collaborative team setting.

You will work part-time during term time, with a commitment to safeguarding and supporting pupils to communicate, regulate, learn and thrive. Visits to the school are encouraged.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Support children with autism and language/communication needs in a dedicated resource provision.
• Collaborate with families and professionals to implement individualised learning approaches.
• Contribute to a warm, inclusive school community and support development of communication skills.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Teamwork

Communication with families

Adaptability

Behaviour management

Education

Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent

Job description

Join Our Team as a Teaching Assistant Level 3 with SEN

Teaching Assistant Level 3 - ASD Resource Provision

St James Primary School

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

Are you an experienced TA who is passionate about making a real difference for children with autismand speech, language and communication needs?

We are looking for an exceptional Level 3 Teaching Assistant to join the dedicated and enthusiastic team within our 12-place Resource Provision at St James Primary School.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced practitioner who understands that every child with autism and language and communication needsis unique and who has the skills, patience, energy and commitment to help our children communicate, regulate, learn, develop independence and thrive.

Could this be you?

We are looking for someone who:

1. Holds a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent.
2. Has proven experience of working successfully with children with high-level and complex ASD needs - this is essential.
3. Has a strong practical understanding of autism, including communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation and behaviour.
4. Can remain calm, confident and consistent when supporting children with complex needs and behaviours that may challenge.
5. Understands that behaviour is communication and can look beyond the behaviour to identify and respond to the child's underlying need.
6. Can adapt learning and use individualised approaches to help every child experience success.
7. Can use visual communication and structured approaches to promote understanding, independence and engagement.
8. Builds warm, trusting relationships while maintaining clear and consistent boundaries.
9. Is resilient, positive, flexible and ready to get involved.
10. 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.

In return, we offer:

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

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.

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.

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.

We also recognise that working in a classroom can be incredibly rewarding and at times demanding. There will be moments when you’ll need strong behaviour-management skills, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and the resilience to navigate challenges. Throughout it all, kindness, empathy and a child-centred mindset remain at the heart of the role.

Actual Salary for part time and term time working: £24,035 per annum (Term Time Only + 5 INSET Days)

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS. References will be requested prior to interview.