Teaching Assistant

Trimdon Hill School is growing, and as we welcome more pupils to our school, we're looking for caring, enthusiastic and resilient Teaching Assistants to grow with us. This is an opportunity to build a rewarding career supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and complex needs, helping them overcome barriers, discover their strengths and achieve things they may once have thought were out of reach. As a Teaching Assistant, you'll be much more than classroom support. You'll become a trusted and consistent role model, building positive relationships and helping pupils feel safe, understood and ready to learn. No two days will be exactly the same. You could be supporting learning in the classroom, getting involved in practical or outdoor activities, helping a pupil navigate a challenging moment or celebrating an achievement that represents a huge step forward for them. Working alongside experienced teachers and the wider school team, you'll have the support you need to develop your skills while making a visible difference every day. What You'll Do

• Provide 1:1, small-group and classroom support to pupils with SEND and complex needs.
• Help pupils access engaging, personalised learning activities tailored to their individual strengths and needs.
• Build positive and trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, valued and understood.
• Provide calm and consistent emotional and behavioural support, helping pupils overcome barriers to learning.
• Encourage the development of confidence, communication, independence and social skills.
• Get involved in classroom learning as well as practical, outdoor and enrichment activities.
• Celebrate individual progress and encourage pupils to recognise what they're capable of achieving.
• Work collaboratively with teachers and colleagues to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where every pupil can thrive.
  
  We're looking for someone with the patience, positivity and determination to help young people succeed.
You'll need:
• GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.
• A genuine passion for supporting children and young people with additional needs.
• A calm, caring and compassionate approach.
• Resilience and the ability to remain positive when situations become challenging.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to work as part of a supportive team.
• Flexibility, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and develop.
• A commitment to safeguarding and helping every pupil achieve their potential.
  
  Trimdon Hill School is a brand-new independent specialist school in Trimdon Grange, County Durham, supporting pupils aged 4-11 with autism and associated complex needs. Opened in June 2025, we provide a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment where every child is supported to SHINE. Our personalised, autism-informed curriculum develops communication, social interaction, and curiosity through rich, inclusive learning.
Working closely with families and clinical professionals, we support each child's progress, independence, and readiness for the next stage of education. For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care. We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support