About Us
As part of our growth strategy, we are really pleased to have opened a brand new SEND Secondary School in the heart of Horsham, West Sussex for autistic young people aged 11-16. We are a happy school that values kindness and understanding where everyone feels safe. Most of our students are coming to us from mainstream education to have access to an adapted National Curriculum delivered in small classes with a focus on meeting their sensory needs and support for their emotional wellbeing. Just over half of our students are girls.
Job Details
Location: Horsham, West Sussex
Contract Type: Fixed Tern Contract - Until End of August 2027, full-time, term time only
Hours: 40 hours per week
Actual annual salary: £22,996 - £24,568 dependent on experience
Hourly rate: £12.87 - £13.75 per hour
Start Date: September 2026
This is an excellent career opportunity for someone who wishes to have significant training opportunities and to collaborate closely with in-house therapists and clinicians. It requires a focus on establishing strong relationships with students, prioritising their wellbeing above all else. Our Teaching Assistants are integral to the support we offer and are involved in every aspect of school life for each student. Our school works on a model of integrated therapy which means you also deliver strategies and interventions given by the clinical team with support from the SENCO. You will support the learning proactively in class and help personalise each young person’s learning. Additionally you will be involved in giving regular feedback to parents and other professionals.
Our students will have access to an enrichment curriculum that will include a range of outdoor activities, sports including swimming, visits, and community projects. We welcome applicants who are also enthusiastic to support these activities as well as class-based learning.
Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of Vincent House School when required.
What You Need to Succeed
Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:
- A strong interest in therapy
- A qualification or genuine interest in psychology
- Either effective experience working with young people especially those with SEND OR clear potential to learn quickly
- They have successfully supported neurodivergent people
- Resourcefulness, resilience and a growth mindset
- A good level of education.
Candidates must:
- have a good level of written and verbal English and general education as well as IT skills in order to support our students’ learning.
- have the empathy and resilience to work with young people some of whom may experience high anxiety and may exhibit self-harming behaviours, ARFID and disordered eating, and a range of mental health difficulties.
- be committed to becoming a neuro-informed and a neuro-affirmative practitioner. That requires continuous engagement in learning and a genuine belief in a neuro-affirmative approach.
- be outstanding in their pastoral and safeguarding practice
Further Information
You will also benefit from a generous package that includes:
- Life assurance
- Enhanced Pension
- Perkbox - offering high street discounts
- Employee assistance programme
- Car lease scheme
- Fully funded training and qualifications
- Bike to work scheme
- Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more.
Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.
Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.
Aurora Vincent House School and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.
How to Apply
The reference number for this role is VHSTA2.
To apply for this role please visit Aurora Group careers website: Aurora Group - Teaching Assistant (0322)
Please complete the application form and ensure that you outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the job description). The job description can be downloaded below.
Once complete please return this to [email protected] - Ensure you add reference number to email subject line.
Should you have any questions regarding the role or the application please feel free to email us or contact us on 07918 585258
NOTE TO CANDIDATES - Please do not select the ‘Apply online’ button as the School processes your applications directly rather than through this site.
