Teaching Assistant Level 1 SEN (Orchard House)

Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: Full Time, 35 hours per week
Number of Positions: 1
Qualifications Required: Literacy and Numeracy skills at level 2
Start Date: 19th January 2026
Salary: £21,662 per annum

We currently have two Teaching Assistant Level 1 (SEN) opportunities to join our fantastic team at Orchard House High School.

These are Grade 3, permanent posts working 35 hours per week, term time only plus 5 INSET days. The starting salary is £21,662 and the full time equivalent is £25,185.

We have two Teaching Assistant roles available for our brand-new school Orchard House High school. This is a great opportunity to work in a new purpose built Special Educational Needs School.

Working under the supervision of other teachers, you will provide exceptional education and support for students with Significant Learning Difficulties (SLD) and/or Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) from the age of 11- 19 years.

We are looking for:

• Applicants who understand the role of a Teaching Assistant and have a basic knowledge of child development and learning.
•  Excellent numeracy and literacy skills, qualified to level 2 or equivalent/higher.
• Experience of working with children and/or young people with communication, severe, profound or complex learning difficulties is highly desirable.
• You will be a part of a team providing exceptional education for students so that they become happy, confident adults.
• You will support teaching and learning across the school, providing general support in the management of pupils and resources, working under the supervision of teachers and senior leadership team.

Key responsibilities will include:

• To work with small groups of children under the supervision of the teacher and ensure implementation of Individual Learning Plans.
• Provide regular feedback on children’s progress to the class teacher and keeping records up to date.
• Promote the multi-educational approach with focus on the national curriculum, alongside communication and skills for life.
• Assist with the supervision of discreet groups of pupils for short periods when the teacher is not present.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
• Participate in training, to develop relevant learning strategies and ensure students make progress in learning.
• Focus on teamwork and driving continuous improvement to support student success.
• To support the performance management process and demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development.
• To converse at ease and provide accurate advice spoken English is essential for the post.

Benefits we offer: 

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks. 
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum. 
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events. 
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more. 
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life. 
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.