Teaching Assistant

The Compass School

Teaching Assistant 

Contract: Permanent, Part Time (36.82 hours per week / 38 weeks per year) 

Salary: Outer London Grade 3 SP5-6 (FTE £29,434 to £29,855 / Actual £25,172 to £25,532)

Start date: Easter or sooner if possible 

“True Navigation Begins in the Human Heart” is the golden thread that runs through everything we do to support our amazing young people at The Compass School. Join us to make an impact on the learning and life chances of our pupils. 

The Compass School is a specialist school for children aged between 7-16 who have a wide range of Social Emotional and Mental Health needs, some of who may also be on the Autistic Spectrum. Some of our pupils can present behaviours that challenges or behaviours that harm. This is an exciting opportunity to join The Compass School and we are looking for great people to join our amazing team to create something unique. We are looking for inspirational support staff with a passion for working with pupils with SEMH needs and a creative, innovative approach and who can support our young people and believe that together we can make a difference to lives of every child we teach. 

Candidates will share the school’s vision and the belief that all young people can achieve academically and that this is not dependant on their background. We are particularly keen to hear from people who may have a sporting, coaching or mentoring background who will be able to utilise these skills to support our young people. Our small SEMH setting has classes of 8 pupils, with a teacher and two teaching assistants supporting. 

The successful candidate will understand the importance of a nurturing approach to supporting complex young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. We need candidates with the motivation, resilience, determination and flexibility to ensure that students make progress, improve their experience of education and prepare them to lead fulfilling lives. 

The school serves a catchment area that covers Havering and surrounding areas of East London and Essex. The school is part of the Unity Schools Partnership network of special schools, alongside Sir Bobby Robson School, Ipswich, The Bridge School, Ipswich and Churchill Special School, Haverhill and Sir Peter Hall School, Bury St Edmund’s. You will be supported in your role by experienced SEMH staff who will be available to offer advice and guidance. Significant training and development are available through opportunities for professional development, research, teacher training and collaboration between schools and across phases. 

Why work for us?

• We offer termly supervision for all staff to support with your well-being

• There is an extensive CPD programme, bespoke to our pupils with Social Emotional and Mental Health needs

• We offer a well-being day to be taken during term time and two-week autumn half term

• Pupils leave earlier on a Thursday to make sure all staff can do training together

• Unity Schools Partnership (The Trust) offer staff benefits such as the Cycle to Work Scheme and access to staff support through TELUS. 

For more information, to arrange a visit or an informal discussion about the role please contact the Headteacher, Catharine Wensley by email cwensley@thecompassschool.org. 

Closing Date: 9:00am, Friday 27th February 2026 

Interview Days: Week of the 2nd March 2026 

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site. 

In line with safer recruitment, we are unable to accept CVs. Failure to complete an application form satisfactorily may result in not being shortlisted for the post. Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safer recruitment, equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required. 

Unity Schools Partnership is committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required. This post is likely to come under the requirements of the Childcare (Disqualification) 2018 Regulations and the successful applicant will be required to complete a declaration form to establish whether they are disqualified under these regulations. 

Unity Schools Partnership, welcoming diversity.