SEN Teaching Assistant
Hamilton School, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5SG18 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
29 May 2026 at 9am
Date listed
8 May 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £19,944.00 Annually (Actual) Grade 5 SCP 12 FTE 28,598 . Working 30 hours per week 8.30 - 3pm . Term Time only plus 5 INSET days. Plus SEN allowance entitlement
SEN Teaching Assistant job summary
Hamilton School is seeking a committed and compassionate Teaching Assistant to support students within our Secondary SEMH setting. This is a rewarding opportunity to work closely with young people who may experience barriers to learning linked to social, emotional and mental health needs, communication difficulties or additional learning needs.
You will work alongside teachers and colleagues to help students engage positively with learning, develop confidence and independence, regulate emotions and behaviour, and achieve their individual learning and personal development targets. The role requires a calm, consistent and relationship-focused approach that supports students to feel safe, respected and successful within school.
The successful candidate will contribute to creating a structured, inclusive and supportive learning environment through the use of positive behaviour support strategies, trauma-informed practice and de-escalation approaches. You will support students both within and outside the classroom and play an important role in promoting engagement, wellbeing and positive outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Support teachers in delivering high-quality teaching and learning activities
- Support students individually and in small groups to access learning and remain engaged
- Build positive, trusting and professional relationships with students
- Support students to develop independence, resilience and self-regulation skills
- Use positive behaviour management and CPI-informed de-escalation strategies
- Assist with targeted interventions and structured support programmes
- Monitor student engagement and provide feedback to teaching staff
- Support students with SEND and SEMH needs using agreed strategies and interventions
- Promote a safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment
- Contribute positively to the wider life and culture of the school
The Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will:
- Have experience working with children or young people, ideally within an SEMH or SEND environment
- Be calm, resilient and able to respond positively to challenging situations
- Have strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Be able to work effectively as part of a team while also using initiative appropriately
- Demonstrate a caring, patient and adaptable approach
- Be committed to supporting students to achieve positive outcomes
- Understand the importance of safeguarding and promoting student wellbeing
- Hold relevant qualifications or experience appropriate to the role
Hamilton School
Hamilton School in Reading is a place of opportunity, belonging and growth for young people aged 11-16. As a special school within Maiden Erlegh Trust, it provides a highly supportive environment for students who benefit from smaller classes, strong relationships and personalised approaches that help them learn, develop confidence and succeed in life.
Every day at Hamilton is different. Staff work closely as a team to spark curiosity, celebrate progress and help students build the skills they need for the future. The school moved into its purpose-built home on Bulmershe Road in 2022, a modern and welcoming space designed around the needs of its learners.
Hamilton supports students with social, emotional and mental health needs and is recognised for its expertise, teamwork and impact, including a Pride of Reading Award nomination from parents.
The Hamilton team is united by commitment and compassion, and colleagues describe the staff team as exceptional in how they support one another and their students. As part of the Trust’s Special and Alternative Provision Hub, colleagues connect across schools to share practice, develop professionally and access strong wellbeing support.
ABOUT MAIDEN ERLEGH TRUST
Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5000 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.
We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.
Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.
You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust by clicking here to visit our website.
Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust
Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including:
Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service
ME Day - One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event
Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities
Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles
Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points
Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)
Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes
Mental Health First Aid Support
Recognition and Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET
Employee Referral Scheme
Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.
Additional Information
If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.
Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Hamilton School
- School type
- Academies, ages 11 to 18
- School size
- 62 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Hamilton School website
Hamilton School is special school based in Reading, catering for children in years 7-13 with SEMH.
School location
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