Teaching Assistant SEN

We’re looking for a caring and compassionate Teaching Assistant to join our team, supporting students in their learning, development, and wellbeing. In this role, you will work closely with teachers, supporting students both one to one and in small groups to help create an inclusive, engaging classroom where every student feels valued and supported. You’ll play a key role in promoting positive behaviour, building strong relationships, and supporting those with additional needs to deliver tailored support. The ideal candidate will be adaptable and proactive, confident in supporting a range of learning needs, and committed to promoting inclusion and positive behaviour.

As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure everyone can perform at their best when applying to work with us. If you need any support with your application or adjustments during the selection process, please contact our People Team by emailing [email removed] or calling [phone removed].

Key Responsibilities

Support pupils to engage with teacher-led learning activities and make progress with their learning.

Work with the class teacher to support planned programmes of work and learning activities.

Observe pupils’ learning and progress and provide relevant feedback to teachers.

Prepare and maintain learning resources, classroom materials and visual supports appropriate to pupils’ needs.

Implement strategies arising from SALT, occupational therapy, clinical and behaviour support.

Promote inclusion and respond appropriately to individual pupil needs.

Support positive behaviour, engagement and wellbeing, including recording and reporting behavioural incidents where required.

Provide for pupils’ welfare, safety and personal care, which may include intimate care, first aid and the administration of medicines in accordance with training and procedures.

Support pupils during break and lunchtimes and use activities and play to encourage learning and positive interaction.

Work positively with parents and carers to support effective home-school relationships.

Contribute to pupil profiles, risk assessments and behaviour support plans.

Follow safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, confidentiality and data protection requirements, reporting concerns appropriately.

The Ideal Candidate

You will have:

Level 2 or equivalent qualifications in English and Maths.

Experience of working with primary-age pupils or young people.

Experience of working with pupils with complex needs.

Good observation and assessment skills, including the ability to produce clear written observations.

An understanding of how appropriate language and core vocabulary can support pupils.

A calm, caring and positive approach.

Effective positive behaviour management skills.

Good interpersonal and communication skills.

Good organisational and planning skills, with the ability to prioritise your workload.

The ability to work effectively as part of a team while also using initiative when required.

A flexible and adaptable approach and a commitment to ongoing professional development.

A strong commitment to the wellbeing, safety and safeguarding of children and young people.

About Horizons Alternative Provision Academy

Horizons Alternative Provision Academy is an Alternative Education provision for young people ranging from 5-16 years old. We support learners who have been permanently excluded from mainstream settings and provide preventative support to those who are at risk of permanent exclusion. Additionally, we support those that unintentionally exclude themselves from education and children who cannot access school for medical reasons. We are a multi-site organisation which includes our Primary provisions, based at Great Hollands Primary School in Bracknell and College Road in Reading, and Secondary provision, based at Cranbury Road in Reading. We have Outreach teams that provide specialist support within schools, a tutoring service, offer vocational courses in Hair & Beauty and Multi-skills and run a Hospital Teaching Service based at Royal Berkshire Hospital who provide education to children on short and long term stays. Horizons Alternative Provision Academy is a fast paced, energetic setting where we pride ourselves on a strong team ethic, always working together to create a nurturing and supportive setting for our student's alternative pathway to success.

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across eleven schools, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all through collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference, a day that brings colleagues together to share best practice and learn from one another.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise, playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

Further information about working with us, and insight from colleagues across the Trust, can be found here on our website.

Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including :

Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service

ME Day - One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event

Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities

Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles

Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points

Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)

Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes

Mental Health First Aid Support

Recognition and Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET

Employee Referral Scheme

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional Information

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact [email removed] for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references