Teaching Assistant

Job Description

We are looking for a dynamic and adaptable Teaching Assistant for our specialised alternative setting. We encourage applicants who would work well in a challenging setting, with a restorative and flexible approach.

About the Role

At Break Through School, we’re not just an alternative provision—we’re a lifeline for young people with SEMH and SEND needs who deserve a fresh start and a brighter future. We’re looking for a Teaching Assistant who brings emotional intelligence, resilience, and a fantastic sense of humour to our setting.

Responsibilities

• Aid in removing barriers to learning for students with special educational needs and/or social, emotional, and mental health difficulties.
• Offer pastoral and academic support throughout the day, including 1:1 and overall support packages tailored to individual needs.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and support for personal and professional growth.
• Contribute to the school’s continuous improvement journey towards excellence.

Requirements

• A strong understanding of childhood traumas and their impact on education.
• A belief in the power of connection and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities.
• Experience working with students with special educational needs and/or social, emotional, and mental health difficulties.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain a calm and supportive demeanor in challenging situations.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary qualification in a relevant field (e.g., teaching, psychology).
• Experience working in an alternative provision or special educational needs setting preferred but not required.

Benefits

• A great learning and working environment with a welcoming and enthusiastic staff and pupils.
• Continued professional development opportunities throughout the year.
• The opportunity to be part of the school’s journey towards becoming an outstanding institution.
• A private health care package.
• Career progression opportunities within the school and the wider Melrose cohort.

Skills

• Emotional intelligence.
• Resilience.
• A fantastic sense of humor.
• Understanding of childhood ACEs.
• Belief in the power of connection.
• Ability to turn challenges into opportunities.

Pay and Schedule

This is a part-time position with a tenure of 10 hours per week.

Benefits

• Private health care package.
• Career progression opportunities within the school and the wider Melrose cohort.

Contact Information

To apply, call the school on 01322 440049 or visit our website (Join our Team).

Melrose Education is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and accordingly, our employment policy for recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion is designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, trade union membership or non-membership, political or religious beliefs or being a part-time worker.

Break Through School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every student and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will require an enhanced DBS and DBS checks, with references being taken up before interview.