Teaching Assistant

About the job

Key information

Full time

NJC Scale Point 2 £23,656– NJC Scale Point 4 £24,404 (depending on experience)- this is actual salary (not pro-rata), including 16 weeks paid holiday per year.

Start date- September 2025 (Subject to onboarding checks and Enhanced DBS)

About Us:

Marchant-Holliday School is an Independent Special School that caters for boys aged 5-14, all of whom have an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) for Social, Emotional And Mental Health Needs (SEMH). The school has day and residential pupils. Our vision is that all children can flourish in a caring, understanding and supportive environment.

We believe that every child has the right to feel safe to enable them to thrive and build their self-esteem whilst developing a lifelong love of learning. This is the essence of MHS in providing a nurturing environment for children who have experienced difficulties accessing mainstream education. In order to achieve these things, we have a fantastic team of staff and a wonderful site with amazing facilities.

What will I be doing?

We require a resourceful, enthusiastic, and self-motivated teaching assistant to support pupils within the classroom and across the wider school day. Our class groups have a maximum of 8 pupils. The staffing structure of the school is a teacher and two TAs per class. With this high pupil to adult ratio, TAs have the opportunity to be flexible in their approach and provide individualised and adaptive support.

• Supporting teachers in the classroom
• Delivering sessions with small groups of pupils
• Supporting pupils’ emotional regulation
• Supporting behaviours through a range of de-escalation strategies
• Being playful and having fun
• Supporting pupils 1:1 with curriculum tasks or social skills activities
• Organising resources to support learning
• Lunch and play time duties
• Club time duties
• Accompanying classes on regular trips (e.g. Harry Potter Studio Tour, London; Go Ape; Weymouth Sealife Centre; Somerset Rural Life Museum; SS Great Britain; Alfred’s Tower; Stourhead; Noah’s Ark; train trips; life skills trips).

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

A passion and enthusiasm for working with SEN children is essential as is the ability to work co-operatively within a team setting.

A compassionate nature and sense of humour would be an asset.

What is in it for me?

•  Term Time only
• 16 weeks paid school holidays
• 10% Employer Pension Contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme through Aviva and Health Assured
• On-site parking
• Supportive, fully funded CPD programmes available (levels 2-7)
• Career progression routes for suitable candidates (e.g. SEND specialisms, Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Play Therapy, Pastoral Specialisms, supported routes into teaching)
• Extensive training including in-house delivered and visiting experts (e.g. Trauma, ASC/ADHD, Attachment, Theory of Mind, Team Teach, Personal Development, Health and Wellbeing)
• Wellbeing focused school-wide practice
• On-site Wellbeing programme including supportive Wellbeing Champions, Retreat Room, and activities
• Use of private, indoor pool, sports facilities, woodland area and extensive climbing frame equipment for staff and families during school holidays
• Opportunity to transform the lives of vulnerable children and families

DBS check

An enhanced level Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.

Supporting documents and information

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the school have an informal chat and tour, and meet some of our pupils ahead of submitting an application.

Please only apply using the school’s application form found on the School’s website or obtained by contacting the school office on 01963 33234.

Closing Date for applications: Tuesday 1 July- Midday

Shortlisting: Tuesday 1 July

Interviews: Week Commencing Monday 7 July

Apply on the Marchant-Holliday School website

Apply now