Summary Southlands School would like to recruit an Apprentice Teaching Assistant to join our team at our secondary special school. We currently have three Apprentice Teaching Assistants who are a much valued part of our staff team. Currently, our students have ASC or moderate learning difficulties. In coming years, we expect more of our cohort to have ASC. Wage £14,722.50 to £23,809.50, depending on your age National Minimum Wage Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab) Training course Teaching assistant (level 3) Hours Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 4.30pm, Friday 8.30am-4pm. 37 hours 30 minutes a week Start date Monday 20 October 2025 Duration 1 year 6 months Positions available 1 Work Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience. What you'll do at work Main Duties of the Post To work under the direct instruction of the teaching/senior staff and TA team, usually but not always in the classroom with the teacher, to support access to learning for pupils and provide general support to the teacher in the management of pupils and the classroom. Support for Pupils Supervise and support pupils, ensuring their safety and access to learning. Establish good relationships with pupils, acting as a role model, and being aware of, and responding appropriately to, individual needs. Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils. Encourage pupils to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher. Encourage pupils to develop independence as appropriate. Work with school staff to support pupils’ needs, including SMSC and BritishValuesSupport for the Teachers. Prepare the classroom as directed for lessons before and after, including transition. Assist with the display of pupils’ work. Know safeguarding protocols and reporting arrangements and apply them. Support the teacher in managing pupil behaviour, reporting challenges, as appropriate. Gather/report information from/to parents/carers, as directed. Provide other duties as necessary to contribute to the successful running of the school. Support for the Curriculum. Support pupils to understand learning objectives and activities. Support pupils in respect of local and national learning strategies e.g. literacy, numeracy, as directed by the teacher. Support pupils in using basic ICT, as directed. Prepare and maintain equipment/resources as directed by the teacher and assist pupils in their use. Support for the School Be aware of, and comply with, policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person. Be aware of and support differences and ensure all pupils have equitable access to opportunities to learn and develop. Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school. Appreciate and support the role of other professionals. Attend relevant meetings, as required. Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development, as required. Assist with the supervision of pupils outside of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtimes. Where you'll work Southlands School Beach Road North Shields NE30 2QR Training Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills. Training provider NORTH TYNESIDE METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL Training course Teaching assistant (level 3) Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab) What you'll learn Course contents Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners. Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context. Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy. Adapt resources to support all learners. Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the TA’s role. Apply teaching strategies to deliver learning activities or interventions. Build relationships with learners, teachers, other professionals and stakeholders. Comply with legislation, guidance, and procedures for Prevent, safeguarding and health & safety. Support the well-being and mental health of learners. Observe, record, and report on learners in line with organisational procedures. Apply methods of formative assessment. Use up to date technology safely, to support learning. Encourage safe use of technology by learners. Adapt teaching strategies to support all learners (for example, scaffolding, open questioning). Identify and respond to pastoral and academic behaviours in learners. Provide feedback to learners. Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners. Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context. Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy. Adapt resources to support all learners. Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the TA’s role. Apply teaching strategies to deliver learning activities or interventions. Build relationships with learners, teachers, other professionals and stakeholders. Comply with legislation, guidance, and procedures for Prevent, safeguarding and health & safety. Support the well-being and mental health of learners. Observe, record, and report on learners in line with organisational procedures. Apply methods of formative assessment. Use up to date technology safely, to support learning. Encourage safe use of technology by learners. Adapt teaching strategies to support all learners (for example, scaffolding, open questioning). Identify and respond to pastoral and academic behaviours in learners. Provide feedback to learners. Training schedule On-the-job training delivered in-house, off-the-job training at the Training Providers premises is to be delivered weekly on release. All training is to be done during contracted hours. Requirements Essential qualifications GCSE in: English (grade GCSE 4-9, A-C or equivalent) Maths (grade GCSE 4-9, A-C or equivalent) Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know. Skills Communication skills IT skills Organisation skills Number skills Team working Initiative Non judgemental Patience Physical fitness About this employer For information about North Tyneside Council, the benefits of working for us, and the many attractions of working and living in North Tyneside please see the council’s “About Us” pages on www.northeastjobs.org.uk. After this apprenticeship Apprentices will be able to secure work as a teaching assistant with schools as they will have full and relevant qualification to do this. Ask a question The contact for this apprenticeship is: Southlands School Helen Clark The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000344530.