Job Description
SEN Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant – County Durham Secondary Schools September 2026 Start
A long-term placement as a SEN Teaching Assistant or Learning Support Assistant is one of the most genuinely valuable starts you can have in education — and Teaching Personnel is looking for graduates ready to take that step across secondary schools in County Durham from September 2026.
These roles are particularly well suited to graduates who have some experience working with children or young people with SEN — whether through volunteering, care work, youth work, or a placement during their degree — and who are now looking to build on that in a mainstream secondary school setting. If you're considering teacher training, a career in educational psychology, or specialising in SEN long-term, this is the kind of hands-on experience that will set you apart.
You'll be working as part of established support teams in schools that take inclusion seriously, supporting students with a range of needs and building the kind of consistent relationships that make a real difference to young people's progress and confidence.
What the role involves:
* Supporting students with SEN across KS3 and KS4 on a 1:1 and small group basis
* Assisting teachers with classroom management and differentiated delivery
* Helping students to access the curriculum and develop greater independence
* Contributing to a positive and inclusive learning environment
* Liaising with the SENCO and wider support team as required
* Working within the frameworks of individual support plans
We're looking for graduates who have:
* A degree in any discipline — Psychology, Education, Health, Sociology, and related fields are particularly relevant
* Some experience working with children or young people with SEN, in any capacity
* A genuine enthusiasm for supporting young people in a secondary school setting
* Patience, empathy, and the ability to build meaningful relationships
* An interest in pursuing a long-term career in education, teaching, or SEN
* Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to obtain one)
What Teaching Personnel offers:
* Competitive daily rates
* Weekly pay via PAYE
* Dedicated consultant support
* Free CPD and SEN-focused training
* Invaluable experience for those considering teacher training or further study
* A clear pathway into permanent roles, teacher training, or specialist SEN positions
Contract: Long-term | Start: September 2026 | Location: County Durham secondary schools
Send your CV or call .
All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for 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.Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with 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 all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.