Overview and Responsibilities
Teaching Assistant in a new SEN provision
Location: Horsham, West Sussex
Contract Type: Permanent, full-time, term time only
Hours: 40 hours per week
Actual annual salary: £23,835 - £24,568 dependent on experience
Hourly rate: £13.34 - £13.75 per hour
Start Date: As soon as possible
Aurora Vincent House School
As part of our growth strategy, we are really pleased to have opened a brand new SEND Secondary School in the heart of Horsham, West Sussex for autistic young people aged 11-16. We are a happy school that values kindness and understanding where everyone feels safe. Most of our students are coming to us from mainstream education to have access to an adapted National Curriculum delivered in small classes with a focus on meeting their sensory needs and support for their emotional wellbeing. Just over half of our students are girls.
The Role:
This is an excellent career opportunity for someone who wishes to have significant training opportunities and to collaborate closely with in-house therapists and clinicians. It requires a focus on establishing strong relationships with students, prioritising their wellbeing above all else. Our Teaching Assistants are integral to the support we offer and are involved in every aspect of school life for each student. Our school works on a model of integrated therapy which means you also deliver strategies and interventions given by the clinical team with support from the SENCO. You will support the learning proactively in class and help personalise each young person's learning. Additionally you will be involved in giving regular feedback to parents and other professionals.
Our students will have access to an enrichment curriculum that will include a range of outdoor activities, sports including swimming, visits, and community projects. We welcome applicants who are also enthusiastic to support these activities as well as class-based learning.
Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of Vincent House School when required.Please see the link below for our full job description:
Job Description - Teaching Assistant
Skills and Qualifications
Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:
- A strong interest in therapy
- A qualification or genuine interest in psychology
- Either effective experience working with young people especially those with SEND OR clear potential to learn quickly
- They have successfully supported neurodivergent people
- Resourcefulness, resilience and a growth mindset
- A good level of education.
Candidates must:
- have a good level of written and verbal English and general education as well as IT skills in order to support our students' learning.
- have the empathy and resilience to work with young people some of whom may experience high anxiety and may exhibit self-harming behaviours, ARFID and disordered eating, and a range of mental health difficulties.
- be committed to becoming a neuro-informed and a neuro-affirmative practitioner. That requires continuous engagement in learning and a genuine belief in a neuro-affirmative approach.
- be outstanding in their pastoral and safeguarding practice
We offer:
- Small classes with the opportunity to establish strong relationships with all students.
- The time, support and training for you to prioritise safeguarding, pastoral care and the overall wellbeing of all students.
- The chance to work with, and learn from, an onsite clinical team including a Clinical Psychologist, OT and SaLT. There are also opportunities to be involved in research that will support our students and the wider neurodivergent community both in terms of education and mental health.
- A rare opportunity to be part of a team creating a new school and culture that will change the lives of many young people and their families within the community.
- It is an exciting time to be part of Aurora and this is a unique career opportunity to make your mark on our growing services.
The expectation for this role is high but so are the rewards! If you are interested, we strongly recommend you contact us to arrange an informal talk or tour of the school with the Headteacher who can explain in full the role on offer. Our priority is appointing a person with the right mindset, potential and pastoral approach.
Benefits and Additional Information
What's on Offer at Aurora?
We believe in supporting you as much as we support the children and young people in our care. Here's a snapshot of the fantastic benefits waiting for you:
Grow with Us - Training & Development
Learning never stops at Aurora! We offer a wide range of training programmes and career development opportunities to help you build your skills and reach your goals.
Save Money on Everyday Essentials
With the rising cost of living, our Perkbox app helps you stretch your money further:
- Discounts on groceries, phone plans, internet, dining out, gym memberships & more
- Access to our Cycle to Work and Car Scheme
Access Wagestream - a financial wellbeing app that helps you track earnings, save, get expert money advice, and even access part of your pay early when needed
Competitive Pay & Reward
We regularly benchmark our pay and benefits to stay ahead of the curve. You'll enjoy: