Teaching Assistant

SEN Teaching Assistant - Specialist School, Full Training Provided

Location: Horley/Crawley Area
Salary: £19,000-£23,000 per annum
Contract: Temp-to-Perm following a successful trial period
Working Pattern: Full-Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026

Looking to Start a Career in Education?

Are you looking to work in an education setting and want a role where you can genuinely make a difference to young people's lives?

Perhaps you're a Psychology graduate, Support Worker, Care Assistant, Mental Health Support Worker, Youth Worker or someone with experience supporting vulnerable people and you're ready to take the next step into education.

You don't need to have worked in a school before.

A specialist school in the Horley/Crawley area is looking for a caring, enthusiastic and motivated SEN Teaching Assistant to join their team. Full training is provided, making this an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to build their experience and develop a long-term career in education.

Your Experience Could Be Transferable

We're particularly interested in candidates who have experience in:

• Mental health and wellbeing
• Care and healthcare
• Support work
• Residential care
• Youth work
• Children's services
• Psychology
• Behaviour support
• Autism or SEND
• Pastoral support
• Childcare
• Community or social care

Experience working with mental health, emotional wellbeing or vulnerable individuals is highly valued, as many of the skills you already have can transfer extremely well into a specialist education environment.

You may also be a recent Psychology, Education, Sociology or Childhood Studies graduate looking to gain valuable hands-on experience before progressing into a career in teaching, educational psychology, therapy, social care or another child-focused profession.

What Will You Be Doing?

You'll work alongside experienced teachers and specialist staff to support pupils with a range of additional needs, helping them feel confident, engaged and ready to learn.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support
• Supporting pupils with SEND, Autism and SEMH needs
• Helping pupils engage with learning and classroom activities
• Supporting emotional wellbeing and positive behaviour
• Building trusting and positive relationships with pupils
• Encouraging communication, confidence and independence
• Helping pupils develop social and life skills
• Adapting your approach to meet individual needs
• Working closely with teachers and other professionals
• Creating a safe, calm and supportive learning environment
• Celebrating pupils' progress and achievements

No two days will be the same, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and develop your own skills.

Full Training Provided

You don't need to be an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant.

The school provides full training and ongoing support, helping you develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to work confidently with pupils with additional needs.

This makes the role particularly well suited to candidates who are looking to move into education for the first time.

Who Are We Looking For?

We'd love to hear from you if you're:

• Caring, patient and compassionate
• Interested in working with children and young people
• Interested in building a career in education
• Comfortable supporting individuals with additional needs
• Calm and resilient when faced with challenging situations
• A strong communicator and team player
• Positive, proactive and willing to learn
• Experienced in care, mental health, support work, psychology, youth work or another people-focused environment

School experience is not essential. Your attitude, values and transferable skills are what matter most.

Why Join?

• £19,000-£23,000 per annum
• Full-time, term-time only position
• Temp-to-perm following a successful trial period
• Full training provided
• Ongoing support and professional development
• Gain valuable experience within a specialist education setting
• Work alongside experienced teachers and specialist practitioners
• Develop your understanding of SEND, Autism and SEMH
• Excellent experience for future careers in education, psychology, therapy, social care and children's services
• Opportunity to build a long-term career within education
• A rewarding role where you can see the difference your support makes every day

Getting to the School

The school is located in the Horley/Crawley area and is not easily accessible by public transport.

A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle is desirable but not essential, so please consider your travel options before applying.

Apply Today

If you're looking to get into education, have experience in care, mental health, support work, psychology or another people-focused role, and want to develop a rewarding career working with children and young people, we'd love to hear from you.

Full training is provided, and no previous school experience is required.

Apply today to be considered for this SEN Teaching Assistant opportunity in the Horley/Crawley area.

Huntress does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation. PLEASE NOTE! You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to your situation before applying for any jobs. We are acting as a Recruitment Business in relation to this role.