SEND Teaching Assistant

SEND Teaching Assistant – Acorns Ashley School, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA15 0QH

Salary: £26,228 - £27,593 | Full Time (37.5 hours/week)

Purpose of the Role

To support teaching and learning by assisting teachers in delivering education and care to pupils with complex needs and challenging behaviours. The SEND Teaching Assistant will embody the EPIC values and adhere strictly to the Staff Code of Conduct to create a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment that promotes pupil wellbeing and achievement.

At Acorns Ashley School

I am delighted to welcome you to Acorns Ashley School. The provision is a co-educational school and provides a supportive and personalised education programme for pupils aged between 5-17. The school caters for pupils with complex educational needs, communication difficulties and challenging behaviour. The school supports pupils with social, emotional and mental wellbeing needs.

Additionally, many of our pupils present with significant social and communication difficulties influenced by trauma or complex emotional difficulties. The school prides itself on providing specialised interventions than those provided in a mainstream school.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist pupils with learning activities, adapting support to individual needs under teacher guidance

• Support pupils’ social, emotional, and behavioural development using trauma-informed approaches

• Help manage behaviour in line with the school’s behaviour policy and Staff Code of Conduct

• Encourage pupil engagement and independence in learning tasks

• Assist with classroom organisation and preparation of resources

• Support record-keeping and monitoring of pupil progress as directed

• Help maintain a clean, safe, and orderly learning environment

Requirements

• A committed and passionate view of students with SEND

• At least two years’ experience minimum of working in a SEND environment or similar unit/provision

• A level 3 TA qualification is advantageous

Benefits of Joining Keys

• NEST enhanced pension scheme

• Staff Referral Scheme – Refer a friend to join Keys and split a £500 referral bonus between you

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

• Access to a blue light discount card

• Fully funded training and qualifications for all colleagues

• Enhanced pay scales based on experience and qualifications

• Employee benefits scheme such as wellbeing app and a range of discounts 

• Life assurance

Keys Education is a national network of alternative learning solutions and pathways, designed to support learners with diverse needs to achieve their goals and realise their potential. It helps individuals with support needs build stability, resilience, and a sense of belonging through Connected Support.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are also committed to supporting the Armed Forces community through our Armed Forces Covenant.

Eligible candidates from military backgrounds are guaranteed an interview – please include details of your service on your CV.

Safeguarding

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All posts require an enhanced DBS check.

More can be found about Keys and our Therapeutic Education Services here

School tours are highly welcomed as a part of our interview selection process.

Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education an online search will be carried out on shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence checks.