Job Description:

Location: Tamworth
Contract: Full-time / Part-time
Start Date: ASAP / Ongoing
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Smile Education are proud to be recruiting for a Secondary Teaching Assistant to join a welcoming and supportive specialist school in Tamworth.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and dedicated Teaching Assistant to work with secondary-aged students with a range of special educational needs and disabilities, supporting them both academically and personally to reach their full potential.
About the SchoolThe school provides a warm, supportive and inclusive environment where every student is valued as an individual.

The school has four important values that guide everything they do:

Build Relationships | Nurture and Care | Grow Together | Enjoy and Achieve
The school believes that positive relationships between students, staff and teachers are fundamental to success. Staff work together to create an environment where students feel safe, respected and supported, while being encouraged to embrace challenges, develop their independence and celebrate their achievements.
The school places a strong emphasis on enjoying the learning journey, helping students develop confidence, self-worth and the skills they need to achieve their individual goals.

The Role
As a Secondary Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and other support staff to provide tailored support to students across the school.

You will be supporting students within the classroom, helping them to engage with their learning while also developing their confidence, independence and social skills.

The role will involve:

• Supporting secondary-aged students with a range of SEND.
• Working alongside the class teacher to deliver engaging and accessible learning activities.
• Providing 1:1 and small-group support where required.
• Supporting students to access the curriculum at their individual level.
• Encouraging students to develop their independence and confidence.
• Using positive behaviour strategies to support students effectively.
• Building strong, trusting relationships with students.
• Supporting students with their social, emotional and personal development.
• Working collaboratively with teachers, Teaching Assistants and other professionals.
• Celebrating students' achievements and encouraging them to reach their individual potential.

The Ideal Candidate

The school is looking for a caring, patient and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people.

You will ideally have:

• Experience working with secondary-aged children or young people.
• Previous experience working with SEND is highly desirable.
• A relevant Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistant, Childcare or equivalent qualification.
• Confidence supporting students with additional needs.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• A calm and consistent approach to behaviour management.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a wider team.
• A willingness to support students both academically and pastorally.
• High expectations for students and a commitment to helping them achieve their goals.

Why Join This School?
This is an opportunity to join a school where relationships, care, personal development and achievement are at the centre of everything they do.
You will be part of a supportive team that genuinely believes in helping students build relationships, nurture and care for one another, grow together, and enjoy and achieve.

Why Work with Smile Education?
Smile Education works closely with schools and candidates to ensure the right match for every role. We provide support throughout the recruitment process, including interview preparation, safeguarding and compliance checks.

If you are a passionate Teaching Assistant looking for a rewarding opportunity within a specialist secondary setting in Tamworth, we'd love to hear from you.

Smile Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to appropriate safeguarding and compliance checks, including an enhanced DBS check.

We are committed to safeguarding children. Each applicant will be expected to undertake compliance checks including Prohibited list, Barred list, DBS and Qualifications.