Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant

Full Time 

Portsmouth

September 2025

Are you passionate about supporting young people with additional learning needs? Are you experienced in working in secondary education and ready for a meaningful challenge? A secondary school in Portsmouth is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Teaching Assistant to join their dedicated Inclusion Centre team from September 2025.

This is a full-time, term-time role ideal for someone who is committed to inclusion, equity in education, and who thrives in a collaborative, student-centred environment.

Situated in the heart of Portsmouth, this vibrant and diverse secondary academy is part of a nationally recognised trust focused on raising aspirations and transforming lives through education. The school serves a broad community and is proud of its inclusive ethos, placing a strong emphasis on academic achievement, pastoral care, and holistic development.

With a growing reputation for innovation and excellence, the school offers a well-structured support system for both staff and students. Its Inclusion Centre is a central feature of the school’s pastoral and SEND provision, catering to students with a variety of needs, including those with EHCPs, SEMH challenges, and communication and interaction difficulties.

The school offers excellent professional development opportunities, a supportive senior leadership team, and a culture where staff wellbeing and professional growth are genuinely prioritised.

The successful candidate will work within the Inclusion Centre and mainstream classrooms, supporting individual students or small groups to access the curriculum, develop social and emotional skills, and make sustained academic progress. You will liaise closely with teaching staff, SENDCo, and external agencies to provide tailored support plans and interventions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small group support for students with a range of additional needs, including those with ASD, ADHD, SEMH, and cognitive or learning difficulties.

• Support students to develop their emotional literacy, resilience, and self-regulation strategies.

• Assist in the preparation and adaptation of teaching resources and differentiated materials.

• Promote inclusion and independence in both the Inclusion Centre and mainstream classrooms.

• Build positive, trusting relationships with students to encourage engagement and learning.

• Monitor and record student progress in line with school policy and contribute to review meetings.

• Work collaboratively with teachers, SENCO, pastoral staff and external professionals to ensure consistent, high-quality support for learners.

• Deliver structured interventions and support sessions, including literacy, numeracy, and social skills programmes.

• Support students during transitions between lessons or parts of the school day, including break and lunch times where needed.
  

Person Specific

Essential:

• Minimum of 1–2 years’ experience working in a secondary school, ideally within SEND or inclusion provision.

• Demonstrated ability to support students with additional needs in an educational setting.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to form positive relationships with students and staff.

• Confident in managing challenging behaviour using positive behaviour management strategies.

• A calm, patient, and empathetic approach to supporting young people.

• Good literacy and numeracy skills, with GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths.

• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students.

Desirable:

• Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent.

• Experience working in an Inclusion Unit, PRU, or with children with SEMH needs.

• Familiarity with EHCPs and SEND Code of Practice.

• Training in Team Teach, Attachment Awareness, or Trauma-Informed Practice.

If you are interested in the above role, apply now with your CV! 

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
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