Teaching Assistant

We're a specialist school on the outskirts of Andover supporting primary and secondary pupils with Autism and a range of additional needs, including SEMH, ADHD, challenging behaviour, learning difficulties and speech and language needs. We're looking for a calm, resilient person to join our team full time, working 37 hours a week in a setting with real facilities — including an on\-site swimming pool and sports area. Please note that a full driving licence and your own transport are essential, as our semi\-rural location has no practical public transport links.

About our school

We are a specialist school on the outskirts of Andover, set in a semi\-rural location that gives our pupils space, quiet and a calmer start to their day. We cater for both primary and secondary pupils, all of whom have Autism.

Almost every pupil we support has needs beyond their Autism diagnosis, and much of the work you'll do sits in that overlap. Our pupils may also present with:

• SEMH (social, emotional and mental health needs)


• ADHD


• Challenging behaviour


• Learning difficulties


• Speech, language and communication needs

That means a "typical" day here doesn't exist. A pupil who is regulated and engaged at 9am may need a completely different approach by 11am — and reading those shifts early, before they escalate, is at the heart of this role. Our pupils often struggle to communicate what they're feeling, so behaviour is frequently the message rather than the problem. We're looking for someone who can hear the message.

Our pupils range from primary age through to secondary, so the age group you work with, the curriculum you support and the way you communicate will vary considerably. You may spend part of your week with a younger pupil who needs short, structured, sensory\-aware activities, and part of it with a teenager working towards independence and life skills.

Our facilities

We're lucky to have genuinely fantastic facilities, and our pupils make full use of them:

• An on\-site swimming pool — swimming is a highlight of the week for many of our pupils, and it's often where we see the most progress in confidence, regulation and physical wellbeing. It's also a session that needs calm, confident and attentive support.


• A sports area, used both for timetabled PE and for the movement breaks that help pupils self\-regulate across the day.

These spaces aren't extras — they're central to how we help pupils succeed. You'll be working in them, so you'll need to be comfortable supporting pupils in different environments, including around water.

The role

You'll work as part of a supportive team, supporting pupils throughout their school day — in lessons, at break and lunch, and during the activities that make up the wider school experience.

Your work will include:

• Supporting pupils one\-to\-one and in small groups, adapting tasks to each pupil's level and needs


• Helping pupils regulate their emotions and stay in a place where they can learn


• Following and contributing to individual plans, including EHCP targets and behaviour support plans


• Using consistent, agreed strategies rather than improvising — consistency is what builds trust with our pupils


• Communicating closely with teachers, therapists and other staff so nothing gets lost between lessons


• Supporting pupils with speech, language and communication needs, using the approaches their plans set out


• Being a steady, familiar adult for pupils who may find relationships and change difficult


• Making sure pupils are safe at all times, including around our pool and sports facilities


• Keeping accurate records of the day and feeding back to the wider team

This isn't a role where you can leave your patience at the door. It's demanding, and some days will be hard. But the relationships you build here are real and long\-lasting, and progress in a specialist setting — however small it looks from the outside — genuinely matters.

Hours

37 hours per week, with a 30\-minute lunch break each day:

• Monday: 8\.30 – 4\.30


• Tuesday: 8\.30 – 4\.00


• Wednesday: 8\.30 – 5\.00


• Thursday: 8\.30 – 4\.30


• Friday: 8\.30 – 4\.00

Lunch is provided if you wish.

What we're looking for

• GCSE English and Maths at grades A–C (or 4–9\) — essential


• A full driving licence and your own transport — essential. Our school is in a semi\-rural location on the outskirts of Andover with no practical public transport links, so being able to drive yourself here is a genuine requirement of the role, not a preference. Please only apply if you can reliably travel to us by car.


• A calm, patient and consistent approach, and resilience on the harder days


• An understanding of — or a strong willingness to learn about — Autism, SEMH, ADHD, challenging behaviour, learning difficulties and speech and language needs


• The ability to stay regulated while supporting a pupil who isn't, and to de\-escalate rather than react


• Genuine respect for our pupils, and an interest in why they behave as they do


• Confidence working with pupils across primary and secondary ages


• The ability to work as part of a team and follow agreed plans closely

Experience of working in a specialist or SEND setting is welcome but not essential; the right attitude matters more, and we'll support your development.

What we offer

• Full\-time hours from day one, with a permanent contract after a successful 12\-week probation period


• Lunch provided each day


• An on\-site swimming pool and sports area


• A supportive, experienced team who understand the work


• Training and development in the approaches that matter in a specialist setting


• A calm, semi\-rural location away from the bustle of town


• Work where the progress you help create is visible and personal

Pay: £526\.88 per week

Benefits:

• Free parking


• On\-site parking

Application question(s):

• Are you able to and have access to drive?

Work Location: In person

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