Teaching Assistant

Location: Cranleigh, Surrey

Job Overview

We are recruiting for dedicated Teaching Assistants to join a specialist educational trust that supports students (aged 5-19) with complex learning disabilities and severe social communication difficulties, often associated with challenging behaviours.

This role offers a unique opportunity to build a rewarding career in specialist education. You will be instrumental in helping students achieve independence and prepare for life beyond school.

Salary & Hours:

* FTE Salary (Pro-rata over 52 weeks): Up to £27,981 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

* Term-time Only

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Bonus: A £1,000 Retention Bonus (£250 after 1 month, £250 after 1 year, £500 after 18 months).

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Hours: 36 hours per week (full-time commitment required, but flexible working patterns of 3+ days a week may be considered).

The Role

A Teaching Assistant role here is specialized and hands-on. Your primary goal is to support students in accessing a therapy-based education, which includes core subjects (literacy, numeracy) and life/living skills (e.g., cookery, gardening).

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Class Structure: Classes are small (5 to 11 students), grouped by ability and social needs.

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Student Support: You will support students who are often non-verbal, using alternative communication methods like Makaton, signs, and symbols.

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Behaviour Management: Students may display frustrated or challenging behaviour. You will need to be resilient, patient, and guided by our training to help them manage their feelings and emotions.

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Personal Care: Providing personal care for some students is an essential requirement of this role (full training provided).

Career and Development

We invest heavily in our staff to provide outstanding career progression:

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Fully-Funded Qualification: You will take part in a two-year nationally accredited TA qualification (Teaching Apprentice qualification) with dedicated training time.

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Progression: Upon completing the qualification and 2 years with the Trust, you will progress to a Senior Teaching Assistant role with a higher actual salary (£21,851 - £23,999 pro-rata).

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HLTA Opportunities: Pathways are available to pursue Higher Level Teaching Assistant roles.

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Mandatory Training: Full Team Teach Positive Behaviour Support training is provided as part of your induction and is refreshed annually.

What We Look For

You do not need prior experience, but you must possess the following essential qualities:

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Empathy and Compassion: A genuine desire to guide and support vulnerable young people.

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Resilience and "Can Do" Attitude: The capacity for both physical and mental resilience when supporting challenging behaviours.

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Literacy and Numeracy Skills: Necessary to support learning, complete medication forms, risk assessments, and student records accurately.

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Patience and Calmness: The ability to adapt to the individual pace of each young person and remain calm in high-stress situations.

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Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication with students, families, and professionals.

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Common Sense: The ability to work in a team and dynamically risk-assess situations to maintain safety.

Our Offer & Benefits

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Retention Bonus: £1,000 over 18 months.

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Accredited Training: Paid-for national TA qualification.

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Free Hot Lunch during term time.

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Health & Wellbeing: Life Assurance, Medical Cashplan (after qualifying period), Employee Assistance Service (24/7 confidential support for you and family).

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Supportive Environment: Regular 1:1 line management support, continuous professional development (CPD), and an active Inclusion Team with on-site Team Teach tutors.

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Location: Based on a beautiful site on the edge of the Surrey Hills (own transport desirable)