Secondary Teaching Assistant

We are seeking a Secondary Teaching Assistant to join a vibrant, mixed 11–18 school serving over 1,000 pupils, including a substantial sixth form. The school combines academic excellence with a strong ethos, culture and learning enviroment.

About the role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will play a crucial role in supporting students’ learning and well-being, particularly those with additional needs. Your responsibilities may include:

• Working alongside subject teachers in classes to support learners with SEND or additional needs, helping them access the curriculum effectively.

• Delivering in-class support, as well as potentially running small-group or 1:1 interventions (for literacy, numeracy, pastoral support or exam preparation).

• Helping to facilitate SEND provision: supporting students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), liaising with the SEND department, external agencies and parents, as required.

• Assisting with classroom management, supporting access arrangements, and promoting a positive, inclusive learning environment.

• Supporting students’ social, emotional and mental-health needs via lunchtime clubs, pastoral support systems, referral to counselling services where needed — working within a robust SEND and welfare framework.

About the school

About the School and Department:

• There is a clear commitment to inclusion and support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The SEND department works closely with subject teachers, pastoral staff, and external specialist services to ensure all students can access the curriculum.

• Students study a broad and balanced curriculum: at KS3 they experience all core and foundation subjects (including English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Languages, Technology, PE, Arts), and at KS4/5 they follow a rigorous academic programme — including GCSEs and A-levels.

• The school emphasises personal development, strong moral values, and social responsibility.

Requirements

To be considered for the role of Secondary Teaching Assistant you will:

• A genuine commitment to supporting young people’s learning and personal development, particularly those with additional needs
• Experience (or training) working as a TA or support role in secondary education — ideally with students with SEND / SEMH / additional support needs
• Good interpersonal skills, empathy, patience, and ability to build positive relationships with students, staff and parents
• A sense of community and willingness to contribute to the school’s Catholic ethos and inclusive pastoral culture

Salary is dependent on experience, training or qualifications. The minimum experience, training or qualifications required for this position are:

• Suitable support experience

Smart Teachers is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. We take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All staff we register will undertake thorough interviewing and referencing checks and hold, or be prepared to undergo, an Enhanced DBS check that must be registered on the Update Service.

About Smart Teachers

Smart Teachers is a market-leading education recruitment and supply agency committed to the learning and development of young people. With branches across the country, we are an employer of choice for high-quality primary, secondary and SEND teaching and support staff.

What Smart Teachers offer

As a valued employee of Smart Teachers, you will receive:

• Excellent daily rates paid weekly by our in-house Payroll team using the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system.
• Guaranteed pay scheme (subject to availability and qualifying criteria).
• Pension contributions (subject to a qualifying period).
• Full compliance with AWR (Agency Workers’ Regulations), to make sure you get the pay and working conditions you are entitled to.
• FREE training to help with your professional development such as Team Teach training, online webinars and safeguarding and child protection updates.
• Generous refer a friend or colleague bonus scheme.
• Access to a dedicated consultant, who will provide ongoing support.

Smart Teachers do not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, colour, religion, disability or sexual orientation, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

How to apply

Apply via this website with an up-to-date CV and contact details. For more information, or an informal chat about the role, please call Daniel Uwaifo on 020 7065 7500 or email [email protected].