Teaching Assistant Level 1 (SEN)

Orchard House Specialist High School, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M40 8EZ

24 days remaining to apply

Start date details
Once all pre-employment checks have been completed
Closing date
29 May 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
5 May 2026

Job details

Job role: Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage: Key stage 2
Working pattern: Full time: These are permanent full-time post, working 35 hours per week, term time only, plus 5 INSET days.
Contract type: Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary: £25,583 - £25,989

What skills and experience we're looking for

We Currently have multiple exciting opportunities for Teaching Assistants (Level 1 SEN) to join our fantastic team at Orchard House High School.

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young people with Special Educational Needs? We’re looking for dedicated, compassionate individuals to join our growing team at Orchard House High school. As a Teaching Assistant (Level 1 SEN)you will support our students in achieving their full potential and becoming confident, independent adults.

These are permanent full-time post, working 35 hours per week, term time only, plus 5 INSET days. The pro-rata starting salary is £22,004, with a full-time equivalent of £25,583 Grade 3. The roles are expected to start on 1st July or 1st September 2026, once pre employment checks are complete.

You’ll work closely with teachers and specialists to support teaching and learning across the school, helping to create a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment for all pupils.

Why Join Us?

Work in a state-of-the-art SEND school with outstanding facilities
Be part of a supportive, collaborative team
Make a meaningful impact every day
Access ongoing training and development opportunities
Help shape the futures of young people with complex needs

What We’re Looking For

We want someone who:

Understands the role of a Teaching Assistant and works effectively within a team
Has a basic knowledge of child development and learning
Holds Level 2 qualification (or equivalent/higher) in numeracy and literacy
Demonstrates excellent communication skills and professionalism
Is committed to continuous learning and development

Experience supporting children or young people with complex, severe, or profound learning difficulties is highly desirable.

Your Key Responsibilities

Support small groups and individual students with learning activities
Help implement Individual Learning Plans (ILPs)
Build positive relationships and promote inclusion for all pupils
Assist with personal care and well being needs where required
Provide feedback to teachers and track student progress
Help maintain a safe, engaging learning environment

How to Apply

Interested? Apply now via our online application process and take the next step in a rewarding career supporting young people with SEN.

All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.

What the school offers its staff

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them.We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.

High quality CPD for all roles
Bupa Level 1 Health Plan- annual cash back allowance for a range of every day health care expenses
Generous Pension Contribution- over 26% for teachers and over 17% for support staff
Good holidays –teachers as per School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document;non-teachers receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays,increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service
Cycle scheme- save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free
Employee Assistance Programmes- including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines
Credit Union- regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans
Flexible working options- we're happy to talk flexible working where possible
Mental Health First Aid in every school
Blue Light Card- discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more
bYond cashback card- spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

Visit our website to learn more about our Trust:prospere.org.uk

About Orchard House and Prospere Learning Trust

Orchard House is a brand new school which will be dedicated to providing exceptional education and support for students with Significant Learning Difficulties (SLD) and/or Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) from the age of 11- 19 years.

Opening in September 2025, our school is committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student can thrive.

We aim to empower our students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their educational journey and beyond.

View our prospectus here.

Prospere Learning Trust is a high performing, inclusive and innovative Trust comprising of 9 schools, including 4 mainstream high schools and 5 special needs schools (both primary and secondary) with further schools anticipated across Greater Manchester.

We currently employ over 1000 staff and we believe that our staff play a vital role in achieving our vision of an exceptional education for all. We believe that great schools thrive because of the great people in them.

We are driven by our core values:

Inclusion- we recognise people need different levels of support to achieve equitable outcomes.
Comprehensive education– we welcome all people from our local community.
Excellence– high standards institutionally, academically and in personal development.
Expertise– great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in all our staff to achieve their potential.
Collaboration– we believe we are stronger together.
Reflection– we are underpinned by thoughtful use of relevant evidence and research.

At Prospere Learning Trust,we pride ourselves in being a great place to learn, work, and grow. We have a resolute focus on developing the quality of education in all of our schools.

To support our staff, we come together as a collaborative learning community, with a strong culture of professional development and mutual support.

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.

Job Application Information

Please apply using the online application form; incomplete applications may not be considered. CVs are not accepted. Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. Information will be provided on where to seek guidance on whether certain offences are now protected and should not be disclosed within the self-disclosure form.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you’ve lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.

Safeguarding Commitment

All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Equality Statement

Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

For application support, contact us at 0161 527 7953 or jobs@prospere.org.uk.

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.