Trainee Teaching Assistant - Primary SEN School

Every career in education starts somewhere - and for the right person, this could be the first step into a genuinely rewarding profession.

A specialist primary SEN school in Sunderland is looking to appoint a Trainee Teaching Assistant to support pupils aged 4-11 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), speech and language difficulties and sensory processing needs.

The school prides itself on providing a structured, nurturing and highly supportive environment, where pupils are encouraged to develop confidence, communication and independence at their own pace.

Location: Sunderland
Hours: 8:30am - 4:00pm Monday-Friday Term Time Only

Daily Expectations & Routine

• Staff arrive for an 8:30am start to prepare for the day
• Pupils follow visual timetables and structured routines
• You will support during lessons, play based learning and sensory sessions
• Breaks and lunch are supervised and used to build relationships
• The day finishes at 4:00pm, including time for team reflection and preparation

Routine and consistency are key to supporting pupils effectively.

The Role

As a Trainee Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Support pupils during classroom learning and structured activities
• Assist with communication using Makaton, PECS and visual aids
• Help pupils manage transitions and emotional regulation
• Support sensory based activities and interactive learning
• Work closely with teachers and SEN staff to support progress

You will be encouraged to learn on the job, gaining valuable experience in SEN education.

The Pupils

Pupils may present with:

• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
• Speech and language communication needs
• Sensory processing difficulties
• Moderate learning difficulties
• Social and emotional needs

Experience Requirements

Experience is not essential for this role.

The school is open to candidates who:

• Are looking to begin a career in education
• Have experience in care, youth work or support roles
• Are graduates in psychology or related fields
• Are willing to learn and develop within a SEN environment

Successful candidates may begin on a trainee scale with ongoing support and development.

Dress Code

• Smart casual and practical clothing
• Comfortable footwear
• Clothing suitable for an active role (including sensory activities)
• No overly formal wear required

What We Are Looking For

• Passion for the education system
• Willingness to learn about young people and their development
• Patience, empathy and resilience
• Confidence in building relationships with pupils
• A proactive and positive attitude

What's in It for You?

• A strong entry point into education
• Ongoing training and support within SEN
• A rewarding role where you can make a real difference
• Weekly PAYE pay

We do not use umbrella companies, meaning your pay is transparent with no hidden deductions.

Apply Now

If you are looking to start a career in education and want to make a difference, apply now to find out more about this opportunity in Sunderland.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further 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.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance 'Keeping Children Safe in Education', this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

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