Teaching Assistant
TAO Independent School
Job Description
Purpose of the Role
The Teaching Assistant will play a key role in supporting pupils with SEND, SEMH and emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) to engage successfully in education, develop confidence, improve emotional wellbeing and achieve positive outcomes.
This is not a traditional classroom-based Teaching Assistant role. The successful candidate will be expected to work flexibly across both indoor and outdoor learning environments, building strong relationships with pupils and supporting a therapeutic, relational and child-centred approach to education.
The role requires adaptability, resilience, emotional intelligence and a willingness to work as part of a small, highly supportive team.
Key Responsibilities
- Support pupils in accessing learning both indoors and outdoors
- Build positive, professional relationships with pupils and families
- Support the delivery of individual learning programmes and interventions
- Assist with emotional regulation, wellbeing and behaviour support
- Promote independence, resilience and self-confidence
- Support pupils with SEND, SEMH and anxiety-related barriers to learning
- Work collaboratively with teachers, SENDCO and wider staff team
- Contribute to safeguarding and wellbeing monitoring
- Support educational visits and outdoor learning activities
- Assist with preparation of learning resources and activities
- Maintain accurate records where required
- Model positive behaviour, language and professional boundaries at all times
- Transport pupils where authorised and in accordance with school policies, insurance requirements and risk assessments
Outdoor Learning Requirement
Applicants must understand that this role includes a significant outdoor learning element.
The successful candidate will be expected to participate in approximately two days of outdoor education activities each week, which may include:
- Walking
- Bushcraft
- Canoeing
- Climbing
- Mountain biking
- Outdoor learning sessions
- Educational visits
Candidates must therefore:
- Be physically capable of participating in outdoor activities
- Be comfortable working outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions
- Be willing to undertake relevant training where required
- Understand that outdoor learning forms a core part of the school's ethos and curriculum
Essential Requirements
- Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent recognised qualification
- Ability to obtain an Enhanced DBS Certificate
- Full UK driving licence
- Willingness and ability to transport pupils in accordance with school policies, insurance requirements and risk assessments
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
- Understanding of professional boundaries
- Good attendance, punctuality and reliability
- Positive, flexible and solution-focused attitude
- Ability to remain calm under pressure
- Willingness to participate in outdoor learning activities
- Ability to adapt to a varied and fluid working environment
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
- Emotional Coaching
- Nurture Group Training
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Restorative Practice
- Mental Health First Aid
- SEND experience
- SEMH experience
- Autism awareness training
- ADHD awareness training
- Attachment-informed practice
- Team Teach or equivalent behaviour support training
- Forest School or outdoor learning experience
- Youth work experience
- Residential care experience
- Experience supporting pupils with EBSA
- Outdoor qualifications or a willingness to undertake outdoor training
- First Aid qualification
- Experience of working within specialist education, alternative provision or therapeutic settings
Personal Qualities
We are looking for individuals who are:
- Warm, nurturing and relational
- Consistent and emotionally resilient
- Reflective and willing to learn
- Honest and dependable
- Adaptable and flexible
- Comfortable receiving and acting upon feedback
- Passionate about supporting vulnerable young people
- Able to maintain high professional standards
- Committed to continuous professional development
- Comfortable working in a highly relational environment where emotional wellbeing, therapeutic approaches and positive relationships are prioritised alongside academic progress
Important Information
TAO Independent School is a small specialist school and therefore all staff play an active role in supporting the wider life of the school.
The successful candidate should expect a role that is varied, flexible and fluid. No two days will look exactly the same. Staff may move between supporting learning, emotional wellbeing, outdoor education, educational visits and therapeutic activities depending on the needs of the pupils and the school.
This is a physically active role and applicants should be comfortable participating in outdoor education activities throughout the year and in a variety of weather conditions.
This role will particularly suit individuals who enjoy building meaningful relationships with young people, working as part of a close-knit team and supporting pupils who may have experienced significant barriers to education.
Please note that this is not a traditional classroom-based Teaching Assistant role. Applicants should carefully consider the outdoor, therapeutic and relational nature of the position before applying.
Applications are welcomed from candidates with relevant qualifications and experience who are committed to supporting vulnerable children and young people within a specialist SEND environment.
TAO Independent School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to Enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory references, online searches and safer recruitment checks.
Pay: £17,500.00-£21,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Employee mentoring programme
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
