Teaching Assistants - Springwood Campus

Linwood School; Bear Cross; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading special needs school in Bear Cross is seeking dedicated Teaching Assistants to provide one-on-one support to students with autism. Responsibilities include fostering a nurturing environment and assisting students in their academic progress. The role requires effective communication and resilience. Previous experience with special needs is desirable but not essential. The position offers career progression opportunities, including training sessions and employee assistance programs to support staff development. A commitment to safeguarding and diversity is essential.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Paid training sessions

Career development

Long Service Awards

Qualifications

• Motivated and committed individual seeking a role working with children.
• Ability to work under the direction of a teacher in a special needs environment.
• Previous experience with children is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to students to facilitate their academic and social progress.
• Create a structured and nurturing environment for student engagement.
• Offer emotional support and personal care for students.

Skills

Resilience

Effective communication

Positive behavior reinforcement techniques

Experience with children with autism

Job description

As a Teaching Assistant at Springwood Campus your main responsibilities would include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide one-on-one and small group support to students to facilitate their academic and social progress under the direction of the class Teacher.
• Create a structured and nurturing environment that promotes student engagement.
• Assist and encourage students to remain on task.
• Offer emotional support, utilising positive behaviour reinforcement techniques via a trauma-informed approach.
• Provide personal care for pupils and appropriate medical treatment following individual care plans, ensuring that students’ records are kept up to date and in line with current guidance, under the direction of the class Teacher.

Please refer to the job description attached for a complete list of responsibilities.

The role is subject to a 6-month mandatory probation during which there is an expectation that Teaching Assistants attend Monday after-school training sessions to enhance their work in school and their skill levels. A list of training dates and topics is provided upon commencement.

We are now seeking to appoint highly motivated, committed Teaching Assistants to join our expanding team on a permanent basis. Due to the special educational needs of our students this role can be challenging and sometimes physically demanding, however the work is also very rewarding. Resilience is a key personal quality for the role as is the ability to communicate effectively using a range of tools. Previous experience of working with children and young people with autism is desirable but not essential.

Linwood School offers career progression opportunities for Teaching Assistants wishing to enhance their skills further in an education setting, leading to Specialist Provision Teaching Assistant followed by Higher Level Teaching Assistant status. Some of our Teaching Assistants have progressed to a Teacher.

In addition to the benefits provided by BCP Council, Linwood School also provides:

• An Employee Assistance Programme to support staff wellbeing
• Paid after-school training sessions to support staff development
• Career development
• Long Service Awards

Commitment to Diversity

At Linwood School, we take pride in being an equal opportunities employer that champions a diverse workforce. We actively seek and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, recognising that a rich tapestry of experiences enhances our ability to support our diverse student population. Our commitment to diversity not only fosters a sense of belonging but also strengthens the learning environment for everyone involved.

Safeguarding Commitment

Linwood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and an overseas criminal record check if they have lived or worked outside the UK in the past 10 years. Employment offers are also subject to satisfactory references, health assessments, and right-to-work checks. All Linwood School staff are expected to adhere to our policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding and child protection, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Guidance for adults working with children and young people in an education setting.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and its amendments. If the role is exempt, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed.

BCP Salary Band 5 – appointments will be made at the starting point of the salary range. The salary shown is pro-rated based on a 30‑hour working week from the full-time equivalent. 30 hours per week (8.45 a.m.–3.30 p.m.), 39 weeks per year (term time only + inset days). Consideration will be given to lesser hours per week but we ask that applicants commit to a minimum 2 full days (12 hours).

It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

We’re excited to welcome new colleagues into our workforce under a refreshed pay, terms and conditions framework which launched on 1st December 2025. To ensure fairness and consistency for everyone, all new appointments will start at the bottom of the pay band. This approach reflects our commitment to equity across the organisation and aligns with the clear rules we’ve applied for existing staff as part of the transition.

Springwood Campus is part of Linwood School, an ‘Outstanding’ (Ofsted January 2025) multi‑campus, day special school for children and young people aged 4 – 19. Springwood Campus, based in West Howe, is an autism specific day provision, therefore all of our students have a diagnosis of autism and complex needs, as well as moderate to severe learning difficulties. We are committed to empowering each child to thrive academically, socially and emotionally within a safe and supportive educational setting.