Secondary Teaching Assistant

Vision for Education is recruiting for SEN Teaching Assistants to support students in mainstream secondary schools across Burnley with immediate starts and January 2025 starts.

About the School:

The school is a welcoming and inclusive mainstream secondary school located in Burnley. They are committed to providing a nurturing environment where every child is given the support and encouragement to reach their full potential. The school is dedicated to creating an inclusive atmosphere where all students, regardless of ability or background, can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Job Overview:

We are seeking a compassionate, motivated, and dedicated Teaching Assistant to support a child with Special Educational Needs (SEN) within our mainstream classroom. The ideal candidate will have a positive and proactive attitude, with experience or a keen interest in supporting children with SEN. You will work closely with the class teacher and other staff members to implement tailored support strategies and ensure the child’s individual needs are met effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide one-to-one and small group support to a child with SEN, ensuring they can fully engage with the curriculum and classroom activities.
• Assist the class teacher in planning and delivering differentiated lessons and activities.
• Support the child with emotional, social, and behavioural needs, helping them develop self-confidence and independence.
• Help with personal care if required (e.g., toileting, feeding, mobility support).
• Implement individual education plans (IEPs) and other tailored support plans under the direction of the SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator).
• Monitor the child’s progress and record observations to assist in evaluating their development.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and safe learning environment.
• Promote the child’s social integration and encourage positive relationships with peers and staff.
• Support classroom management by assisting the teacher in maintaining an orderly and supportive classroom environment.
• Attend staff meetings and professional development opportunities as required.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Experience working with children, preferably in an educational setting.
• A genuine passion for working with children with SEN and a commitment to helping them succeed.
• Knowledge of Special Educational Needs and how to support children with different needs (e.g., Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities).
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact effectively with children, parents, and staff.
• A patient, empathetic, and flexible approach to working with children.
• Ability to work as part of a team while also using initiative.
• A good understanding of safeguarding and child protection practices.
• Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification (or equivalent) is desirable, though not essential.

Desirable Skills:

• Training in specific SEN strategies is advantageous.
• Experience in supporting children with speech, language, or communication needs.
• First Aid certification.

About us

We are a market-leading education supply agency committed to the development of young people. With branches across the country, we are an employer of choice for high quality educators. 

We’re part of The Edwin Group, an education alliance here to do good and are proud to be named in The Sunday Times Top 100 Best Places to Work in the UK 2024 

We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, colour, religion, disability or sexual orientation, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community. 

How to apply 

If you are a Teaching Assistant that can enthuse, motivate and engage learners and would like the challenge of working in a rewarding environment, then we want to hear from you. 

Apply today via this website, or for more information about this role and other opportunities call the Preston office on (phone number removed).

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