Teaching Assistant

Are you passionate about enhancing the lives of young people? Are you dedicated to preparing SEMH children for their adult life through in-reach and out-reach programmes? If so, we have the perfect job for you

We are looking for Teaching Assistants to join our team, working in our alternative provision in Westbury, which supports Primary and Secondary learners.

This is a term-time only role working:

31 hours per week, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - 9am to 3pm and Tuesday - 9am to 4pm.

We are looking for flexibility to increase the hours if additional cover is required.

Actual salary

£19,022

Purpose of the Role

The Bridge Alternative Provision provides day placements for SEMH learners aged 5 to 18 years primarily with communication and interaction difficulties or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. Some may be on the autistic spectrum or have anxieties and difficulties that create barriers to learning.

Under the guidance of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) the role of Teaching Assistant is to provide support for learners who require help, to enable access to learning, and to assist in their management. This may include 1-2-1 if the learner needs it.

In this role you will provide specialist support and deliver intervention work to accelerate rates of progress in a specific area of curriculum, and supervise groups and occasionally whole classes for a session/lesson in the classroom, or outside the main teaching area, as required.

Key Responsibilities

• To work with groups of children under the supervision of the teacher, including the delivery of programmes of work.
• To plan and implement specialist programmes of intervention to accelerate rates of progress for target groups of learners/1:1 learner.
• Supervise and provide particular support for learners, including those with special needs, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities.
• Give regular feedback on a learner's progress to the class teacher.
• Attend learners' personal needs, including pastoral, social, health, physical hygiene, minor first aid, and welfare matters.
• Establish good relationships with learners, as a role model by presenting a positive personal image and responding appropriately to individual needs.
• Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all learners.
• Encourage learners to act independently as appropriate.
• To occasionally supervise whole classes as required support for teachers.
• Provide curricular clerical/admin support, e.g., photocopying, making lists, etc.
• Under the direction of the teacher, prepare the classroom for lessons and clear afterwards, as appropriate.
• Undertake learner record keeping and updating records, information, and data, producing reports as required.
• Assist in the development and implementation of behaviour management strategies.
• Establish constructive relationships with parents and/or carers and report on information from learners and/or carers to the SLT.
• Monitor learners' responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement and progress as directed.
• Administer and assess routine tests, invigilate exams, and undertake routine marking of learner's work.
• Assist in the supervision of classroom and outdoor activities.
• Assist with the supervision of discrete groups of learners for short periods when the teacher is not present.
• Record all safeguarding concerns to a high standard and report immediately.
• Transport learners and ensure the vehicle is kept road safe.
• Undertake structured and agreed learning activities and programmes, including those linked to local and national learning strategies. Adjust activities according to learner responses, record achievement and progress, and provide feedback to the teacher.
• Support the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in learning activities and develop learners' competence and independence in its use.
• Assist in the whole planning cycle, including the contribution to the development of lesson and work plans, and manage and prepare resources.
• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• To uphold our vision and values and reflect them in your working practice.
• Show a duty of care and take appropriate action to comply with health and safety requirements at all times.
• Be aware of and support differences and ensure that all learners have access to opportunities to learn and develop.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the provision.
• Maintain good relationships with colleagues and work together as a team.
• Appreciate and support the role of other professionals.
• Attend relevant meetings as required.
• Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
• Demonstrate and promote commitment to equal opportunities and to the elimination of behaviour and practices that could be discriminatory.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list, and the role holder is expected to undertake any duties reasonably required to fulfil their role and support the business objectives.

Essential Requirements

• A minimum qualification of GCSE A-C or equivalent in Maths and English (or equivalent).
• An understanding of the challenges of dealing with learners who may have Emotional, Behavioural or Social issues.
• Ability to motivate and support learners in their learning and personal development.
• Demonstrable working experience as a Teaching Assistant.
• Have experience or a passion for working with children.
• Flexible and proactive.
• Nurturing and caring in your approaches.
• Ability to communicate effectively within a team.
• Open to providing personal care.
• Experience of working with challenging young people.
• A calm, positive approach with enthusiasm, energy and plenty of patience.
• Resilience for supporting vulnerable children with varying degrees of emotional behavioural difficulties.
• Ability to communicate and understand the needs of our young people.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Naturally caring and compassionate.
• Enjoy working with children and can develop good working relationships with them.
• You will need to have access to a vehicle regularly and a clean driving licence, to help transport learners.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience of working with children with specific special needs.

We can only accept applications that are made using our application form. For more information about us and to complete an application form, please visit our website -

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow Safer Recruitment procedures and all interviews, regardless of role, will include questions about approaches to safeguarding. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on our website and follows all guidance in the most recent Keeping Children Safe in Education.

All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exception Order & 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected'. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

Please note that by submitting an application, you acknowledge that we reserve the right to view any publicly available information published online (including social media platforms) as part of our shortlisting process, in line with current KCSIE guidelines.

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 12 months

Pay: £19,022.00 per year

Expected hours: 31 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Application question(s):

• Have you been barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children? Please note: It is an offence to apply for this role if you have been barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (required)

Experience:

• Working with children/in education: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 18/12/2025