SEN Teaching Assistant Level 1– Interactive Base - IB

Why New Bridge?

“Staff are proud to work at the school. They are highly supported in their professional development”

Ofsted Report February 2025

·      We are committed to making a difference where it matters most to create meaningful futures for all.

·      We invest in developing talent through our strong focus on coaching and training.

·      We nurture teams: fostering a sense of belonging secured by strong purpose and healthy relationships.  

As we are a talent first organisation, we are always looking to find people who align themselves to our mission and values. If you feel that could be you then we would love to hear from you.

Part of the wider New Bridge Multi Academy Trust (MAT), New Bridge School is a generic special needs school for pupils and students between the ages of 11 and 19 across four sites within Oldham. 

New Bridge school is an Outstanding rated provision which caters for 363 pupils with a wide range of SEND, from moderate learning difficulties to profound and multiple learning difficulties, including severe and complex learning difficulties. The school also caters for pupils with physical disabilities, multisensory impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments and specific conditions including autism spectrum condition. Making a difference to the lives of these young people could be the most important job you will ever have. All pupils have an EHC plan.

In order to cater to the needs of the range of pupils the school has developed a range of different provisions. Our Roman Road campus consists of our Key Stage 3 Main Body alongside our Key Stage 3&4 Interactive Base and Autism Base and Key Stage 4 Community Living Groups.

As a result of our growing pupil numbers, we have had to expand our classes. The Trustees are looking to appoint a number of resilient and enthusiastic Level 1 Teaching Assistants to join our dynamic, growing and committed staff team in the following area:

Interactive Base (IB)

The Interactive Base (IB) provides an appropriate learning environment for learners with complex learning difficulties and disabilities (CLDD). The aim of the IB is to provide a stimulating, engaging and sensory curriculum that is both broad and balanced.  The IB groups offer a base for their learners which provides routine, consistent specialist staffing and encourages independence and communication. The pupils within the IB are grouped in classes which may go across age groups and sometimes Key Stages to best meet their needs.

All pupils in IB have individual care plans which detail interventions required for their care and ability to engage fully with all aspects of school life. As a TA1 in IB you would be required to support with feeding and swallowing, speech and language programmes which can include assistive technologies, physiotherapy programmes, behaviour interventions, personal care and assisting with medical needs. You would be assigned to a class group and support these pupils in all lessons.

·      Previous experience of working with young people of primary/secondary school age who may present with challenging behaviour and complex needs, preferably within an educational setting

·      A nurturing and empathetic approach to behaviour management

·      The physical and emotional resilience to support students with complex needs, taking a non-judgemental approach

·      The ability to support teaching and learning within a special needs setting to a dedicated group of students

·      The ability to support the class teacher to monitor student progress, ensuring their improved engagement with the school and their learning

·      The ability to record student progress and provide regular feedback to stakeholders.

·      The ability to model and encourage appropriate social behaviour in and out of school and to cater for the general welfare of students.

·      The ability to work in partnership with classroom teachers to differentiate appropriate interventions for students in relation to the curriculum

·      The ability to work as part of a team using own initiative when needed

·      Willingness to participate in own professional development

Although based initially at our Roman Road site, all staff are employed by the MAT and are expected to work at any site within the New Bridge Group

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment.   

This post will be subject to a number of pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. It will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here.  

For successful candidates, an online search will be carried out as part of our due-diligence in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023  

We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation   

Salary: NJC scale point 3: £24,027 Full time/Full Year Salary

Actual salary: Actual salary: £18,453 per annum pro rata

Allowance: SEN allowance £1,491 per annum

Status: Permanent

Contracted hours: 32 hours 55 minutes per week / term time plus 5 days (195 days)

Based: Initially at New Bridge School, Roman Road, Hollinwood, OL8 3PH

Closing Date: Wednesday 23rd April 2025 (9am)

Interviews: Week Commencing 28th April 2025

Further info: Debbie Birch-Hall, Deputy Head of School dhall@newbridgegroup.org

Completed applications to be sent to: recruitment@newbridgegroup.org