SEND Teaching Assistant

At OFG Education we give you time to enjoy those special moments and hobbies outside of work

Job Title: SEND Teaching Assistant
Location: Westbourne School, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 2EL
Hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday
Salary: £23,080.50 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent Term Time Only
Start: November 2026
UK applicants only - no sponsorship available

About the Role

Are you passionate about helping students overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential? We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and committed SEND Teaching Assistant to join our team and make a real difference every day.

Working closely with teachers, therapists and pastoral colleagues, you will support students with additional needs both in the classroom and across the wider school community. You will play an important role in helping students develop academically, socially and emotionally, building their confidence, independence and life skills while celebrating every achievement.

You will support learning activities, encourage positive behaviour, and help students develop the skills they need to succeed both in education and beyond. By creating positive relationships and providing consistent encouragement, you will help ensure every student feels safe, supported and able to thrive.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting students on an individual and small-group basis to achieve their learning goals.
• Encouraging the development of literacy, numeracy, communication and independence skills.
• Assisting teachers in delivering engaging lessons and preparing learning resources.
• Supporting reading interventions and programmes that help students build confidence and enjoyment in reading.
• Promoting students' emotional wellbeing, personal development and engagement in learning.
• Implementing behaviour support strategies and helping students make positive choices.
• Working collaboratively with teaching, therapy and pastoral teams to provide integrated support.
• Monitoring and recording student progress, achievements and behaviour.
• Supporting educational visits, enrichment activities and wider learning experiences.
• Supervising students during breaktimes and social periods to help maintain a positive and safe environment.
• Building positive relationships with families, carers and external professionals where appropriate.
• Contributing to a nurturing and inclusive school culture where every student can succeed.

About You

We're looking for someone who is patient, compassionate and committed to helping students reach their full potential. You will be a positive role model who can build trusted relationships, encourage confidence and motivate students to engage in their learning.

You will understand that every student is different and be able to adapt your approach to meet individual needs while maintaining high expectations and a supportive environment.

You will have:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A genuine passion for supporting students with SEND and additional learning needs.
• The ability to build strong, positive relationships with students, families and colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
• The confidence to support learning activities and adapt support to individual needs.
• The ability to accurately record and communicate student progress and wellbeing.
• A Full UK Driving Licence

Experience supporting students with SEND, autism, SEMH needs or other additional needs would be beneficial. Most importantly, you will bring enthusiasm, empathy and a genuine desire to help young people grow in confidence, develop new skills and achieve success.

About Us

At OFG Education, we believe every student deserves an education designed around who they are. Through high expectations, deep expertise and truly personalised education, we help students realise their potential and prepare for successful futures.

Building on more than 20 years of experience, we are bringing our approach to more students and communities around the world. Across the UK, Iberia and the Gulf, our schools combine the strength, expertise and high standards of an international education group with the individuality of each school and the communities they serve.

Whatever your role, joining OFG Education means contributing to our shared ambition: empowering every student to success through truly personalised education.

About Our School

Westbourne School provides specialist education for students aged 8-18 across two sites. We offer a broad, balanced and personalised curriculum that combines academic and vocational learning with life skills, personal development and enrichment, supporting each student to build confidence, independence and the skills they need for their future.

As a teacher at Westbourne, you will be responsible for planning and delivering engaging, purposeful learning. You will adapt your teaching to meet the individual needs, abilities and aspirations of our students, many of whom may have experienced barriers to learning in previous educational settings. Differentiation, personalised learning strategies and a nurturing, trauma-informed approach are key to ensuring that every student feels valued, supported and able to achieve their potential.

We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

OFG Education is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, OFG Education does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.