Pathways Teaching Assistant

Southern Cross School, Manchester, M22 4AB

31 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  ASAP (subject to notice period)

• Closing date

  2 November 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  2 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other support role
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: 25,410.00

Pathways Teaching Assistant job summary

Pathways Teaching Assistant (Keyworker/Mentor)

Salary: £25,410

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only plus 5 days

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Responsible to: Pathways Lead / Headteacher

Location: Southern Cross School, Oldham, with travel across community and home settings

Start Date: ASAP (Subject to availability)

Join Us at Southern Cross School

At Southern Cross School, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to feel safe, valued and successful. We are a specialist provision supporting pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, and our therapeutic approach is built on strong relationships, compassion and a commitment to helping every child achieve their potential.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, resilient and committed Pathways Teaching Assistant (Keyworker/Mentor) to join our growing team. This is an exciting opportunity to work with some of our most vulnerable and hard-to-reach pupils, helping them re-engage with education, overcome barriers to learning and build positive futures.

Our newly expanded school and purpose-built therapeutic environment provide the ideal setting for staff who are passionate about making a genuine difference. We recognise that learning looks different for every child, and we are looking for someone who shares our belief that relationships are at the heart of positive change.

The Role

As a Pathways Teaching Assistant (Keyworker/Mentor), you will support pupils both within school and in community or home-based settings, working in the environment that best meets their individual needs.

You will build trusting relationships with young people who may have experienced significant challenges in education and use these relationships as a foundation to improve engagement, attendance, wellbeing and learning.

Working alongside teachers, therapists, families and external agencies, you will help pupils access personalised learning opportunities and develop the confidence, resilience and skills they need to succeed.

The role includes delivering engaging activities linked to pupils' interests, before supporting them towards educational pathways including PSHE, sports, arts, creativity and accredited learning programmes. The curriculum follows ASDAN at Key Stage 3 and BTEC pathways at Key Stage 4, and full training and support will be provided.

Our Vision

Our vision is to create a therapeutic, harmonious environment where pupils feel safe and secure enough to explore, enjoy learning and achieve their full potential.

We aim to build a strong sense of community around every child and provide outstanding teaching, support and care that enables young people to develop confidence, emotional wellbeing and self-belief.

We want every pupil to leave Southern Cross School with the knowledge, skills and resilience needed to lead happy, healthy and successful lives.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

Has experience working with children and young people, particularly those with SEMH needs or barriers to learning.

Can build strong, positive and trusting relationships with pupils and families.

Is confident working independently and using their own initiative.

Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Can engage and motivate young people who may be reluctant to access education.

Shares our commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and positive outcomes for all pupils.

Has a positive, solution-focused and resilient approach.

Please note: This is a driving role. Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence, have access to a vehicle and hold appropriate business-use insurance.

Why Southern Cross School?

At Southern Cross School, relationships come first. We are proud of our supportive and welcoming culture and the strong sense of teamwork that exists across our school community.

This role offers an opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of young people by helping them overcome challenges, develop confidence and reconnect with learning.

You will join a dedicated team that believes in seeing possibilities rather than limitations and works tirelessly to help every pupil thrive.

If you are passionate about supporting vulnerable young people, committed to building positive relationships and motivated by the opportunity to change lives, we would love to hear from you.

Come and join Southern Cross School and help shape brighter futures for our young people.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Southern Cross School

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 9 to 16
• Size: 165 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 9 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Southern Cross School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/southern-cross-school-manchester

We are very proud to be able to share with you the developments, opportunities and resources that are available for your children at our school.

Southern Cross teaches Year 5 through Year 11 pupils (Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4). It is an exciting and inspirational place to learn, where everyone is valued and each pupil is encouraged to succeed to the best of their ability.

We are committed to creating a happy, safe and stimulating learning environment where everyone is encouraged to reach their potential. We promote respect, responsibility, independence and creativity in order to build confidence, increase motivation and establish a love and thirst for learning which will help prepare our children for their future and life in wider society.

If you would like to know more about the school or would like to arrange a visit during the day, then please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be delighted to hear from you.

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