Apprentice Teaching Assistant

Kickstart your career in a school that makes a real difference!

Are you ready to learn, grow, and make a positive impact every day? Join the team at Castle Wood School—a vibrant and welcoming special needs school for children aged 3 to 11. We support amazing pupils with a wide range of needs, including autism, profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), and complex behaviours.

As an Apprentice Teaching Assistant, you will get hands-on experience in the classroom, working alongside friendly, experienced staff who will support you every step of the way. You will earn while you learn, working towards a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, and build skills that will set you up for a rewarding future in education or care.

We are looking for enthusiastic, caring individuals who are ready to take on a new challenge, work well with others, and want to make a real difference in children’s lives. If you have got a positive attitude and a willingness to learn, we would love to hear from you!

Working hours:

• Monday to Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
• Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
• Friday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

While there may be opportunities for a permanent position after the apprenticeship, this is not guaranteed.

We Offer:

• An exciting training program to help develop your skills.
• A supportive mentor to guide you through your apprenticeship.
• The opportunity to work with fabulous, enthusiastic children.
• A welcoming and supportive school team.
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from various disciplines.
• A Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Teaching Assistance.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Access to occupational health services, including counselling.
• Discounts and rewards, including cycle-to-work schemes and childcare vouchers.

Our vision, "Together, children first," reflects our belief that everyone plays a vital role in helping our pupils reach their full potential.

Our values drive everything we do at Castle Wood. The school values are honesty, integrity, trust, empathy, respect.

We are offering exciting Apprentice Teaching Assistant roles starting in September 2025—an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in working with children or beginning a career in education or care.

As part of our classroom team, you will work across different classes, getting to know a variety of pupils and supporting experienced staff wherever you are needed. No two days are the same, and you will gain valuable experience by being fully involved in school life.

You will support children with a range of additional needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down’s Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and Severe Learning Disabilities (SLD). Some pupils may be non-verbal or display challenging behaviour, but with the right training, support, and teamwork, you will learn how to help them achieve their best.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the classroom team to support colleagues, under the direction of the class teacher and leadership team.
• Help create a safe, supportive learning environment aligned with the school’s vision and values.
• Stay updated on educational trends through training, reading, and sharing knowledge, while gaining skills to support students with SEN.
• Assist in maintaining and organizing the classroom environment and resources.
• Implement individualized learning programs, keep accurate records, and assist with marking and maintaining learning materials.
• Contribute to tracking and assessing students' progress and attainment.

Desired Skills:

• Experience with children in educational settings or a willingness to learn about Special Educational Needs (SEN).
• Strong communication skills, basic tech proficiency, and a commitment to the school’s policies and child protection guidelines.
• Basic understanding of child development and ability to provide constructive feedback to support pupil progress.

Personal Qualities:

• Strong interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with children and adults, while maintaining confidentiality.
• Patience, adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and a caring nature to support diverse learning needs.
• Initiative to contribute to a positive learning environment and ensure pupil progress.

We Are Looking For Someone Who Has:

• Strong general education with at least 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths, grade 4/equivalent or above.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• A commitment to promoting the well-being and progress of all members of the school community, with high aspirations for both pupils and themselves.

Interview Date: w/c 2nd or 9th June 2025

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check via the DBS.

Following recommendations from Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) for an additional pre employment check with effect 1 Sept 22, please note, an online search may form part of this recruitment process.