Teaching Assistants & Teachers

SEMH Teaching Assistants & Teachers | Hastings | Upcoming Opportunities

A growing specialist school, classes of no more than eight pupils and a headteacher who wants to make the most of what each member of staff brings.

I’m recruiting for an SEMH school in Hastings where the leadership is committed to understanding both pupils and staff, recognising individual strengths and being open about the challenges and rewards of the work.

The school has moved into its new site and is preparing to open additional teaching groups. With that growth comes upcoming opportunities for Teaching Assistants and qualified Teachers, and I’m particularly keen to hear from strong TA candidates.

Challenging work, meaningful progress

Supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs takes patience, resilience and a calm, consistent approach. There will be challenging moments, but there’s also real satisfaction in building trust and seeing a young person begin to believe in themselves.

Progress might mean a pupil returning to a lesson they previously struggled to access, asking for help or managing a difficult moment differently. Getting to know pupils and recognising those steps forward can make the work incredibly rewarding.

Alongside learning, you’ll help pupils develop social skills, manage emotions, communicate their needs and build positive relationships. Clear boundaries, a willingness to reflect and working closely with colleagues will all be important.

The school combines strong relationships with high expectations, giving pupils a fresh start each day. It’s an opportunity to keep developing your own practice while helping young people experience success and take pride in what they can achieve.

A team that recognises your strengths

The headteacher places real importance on understanding staff strengths and using them to benefit pupils.

You’ll be expected to carry out the usual responsibilities of your TA or teaching role. Alongside that, the school aims to involve you in areas where you can contribute particularly well.

If you’re creative, for example, there may be scope to support creative subjects and use that interest to help pupils access learning.

With no more than eight pupils per class, getting to know individuals and adapting your approach are central to the work. Respect, responsibility, safety and kindness underpin the school’s expectations.

Develop your practice with Thrive

Through Teaching Personnel, we offer Thrive Approach: Introductory Skills & Strategies.

This CPD introduces practical, relationship-based approaches to supporting pupils’ emotional and developmental needs, helping educators understand behaviour and respond thoughtfully.

It isn’t compulsory, but willingness to complete it would be a strong advantage. The school values this training, and it can provide a useful foundation for the relational and emotional support involved in the work.

You’ll also have access to a wider range of courses through our CPD Academy, so you can continue developing your practice.

Who would suit this school?

I’m particularly interested in Teaching Assistants with relevant experience in SEND, SEMH, alternative provision, youth work, care or mentoring, alongside qualified Teachers interested in specialist education.

You’ll need to bring consistency, appropriate boundaries and a genuine commitment to helping pupils move forward, including on difficult days.

Teachers must hold QTS or an appropriate equivalent teaching qualification.

Pay, availability & safeguarding

TA and LSA opportunities are paid from £92.60 per day, with qualified teaching roles paid to scale where applicable.

As the new groups are due to open in the near future, I’m keen to hear from applicants who can respond promptly and move through vetting efficiently.

An existing Enhanced Child Workforce DBS registered on the Update Service would be particularly helpful. If you don’t hold one, you’ll need to complete an application through our DBS application process and join the Update Service. Guidance is provided, with the associated cost covered by the applicant.

We’ll also require your full employment and education history and references covering 24 months of employment in total where possible, prioritising recent and relevant employment. All appointments are subject to the required safeguarding checks.

Interested?

Apply and tell me about your experience, availability and the strengths you would bring to this school.

Please also confirm whether you hold a DBS on the Update Service and whether you’d be interested in completing the Thrive introductory course.

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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