Primary School Teaching Assistant, Sunderland

About the role

Our Teaching Assistants are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things. There’s lots of ups and downs, and to some of our young people, sitting through a lesson can be a big win. We call these huge small victories and whilst they may seem small on the surface, they add up to make a big difference.

You’ll be working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. You’ll be there to help them learn, develop their abilities and raise their self‑esteem. You will need to be resilient and dedicated, but those huge small victories that you achieve will be something you’re really proud of.

It can be a tough journey, but the positive steps forward will more than make up for it. As a Teaching Assistant at Witherslack Group, you’ll get all the support you need to succeed. Your colleagues will be the best at what they do, the school environments will be well‑resourced and we’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you build a rewarding teaching career.

Working environment

You’ll be joining Ashbrooke School, one of the leading SEN settings in the North East. A purpose‑built school with specialist classrooms, extensive grounds and sporting facilities, plus a purpose‑built primary provision – Ashbrooke supports young people with ADHD, ASD, SEMH and SLCN.

Responsibilities

• Work in a classroom setting with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.
• Support teachers and therapists to help pupils develop their skills and raise their self‑esteem.
• Provide one‑to‑one assistance and support to pupils during lessons and activities.
• Encourage and celebrate small wins and achievements of pupils.
• Work as part of a team to deliver high‑quality education and care for all pupils.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a classroom or with children with special educational needs.
• Good understanding of the needs of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and SEMH.
• Resilience, dedication, a positive ‘can‑do’ attitude and strong teamwork skills.
• Passion for supporting children to learn and making a genuine difference to their lives.

What we do for you

• Training: A full induction and on‑the‑job training.
• Holiday: Full school holidays.
• Progression: Opportunities for career development and promotion from within the group.
• Flexible benefits: You can increase or decrease benefits such as life insurance.
• Wellbeing: A host of wellbeing tools and advice, including employee assistance.
• Medical cover to claim back the cost of opticians or dentist appointments and a host of high‑street discounts.
• Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities.
• Recruit a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus for every successful referral.
• Contributory pension matched up to 5%.

Why join us

Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves. You’ll be more than a Teaching Assistant; you’ll be able to connect with our pupils because of your ‘can‑do’ attitude, team spirit, genuine passion for supporting children to learn and enthusiasm to work closely with the teacher and therapists.

Equality and inclusion

We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way.

Safeguarding

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people.