Start Your Career in Education - Unqualified Teaching Assistant Opportunities
Location: Preston and surrounding areas
Hours: Flexible (full-time and part-time available)
Pay: Dependent on experience
Have you built your career supporting others - perhaps in care, residential settings, youth work or pastoral roles - and are now considering a move into schools? We are working with local schools seeking individuals with real-world experience supporting children and young people. You may not have worked in a classroom before, but your background has already equipped you with the skills that matter most.
Why Your Experience Matters
If you have worked in:
Residential children's homes
Care or support work (young people or vulnerable adults)/Mental health or safeguarding environments
SEMH or behavioural support roles/One-to-one SEN support
Youth mentoring or coaching…you already understand behaviour, boundaries, empathy and resilience. These are essential qualities in today's classrooms.
What You'll Be Doing
Supporting pupils with additional needs on a 1:1 basis
Assisting small groups to stay focused and engaged
Helping manage behaviour in a calm and consistent way
Working alongside teachers to adapt learning activities
Encouraging social development and emotional regulation
Acting as a positive role model throughout the school day
What Schools Are Looking For
Strong relationship-building skills
Emotional intelligence and patience
Confidence supporting challenging behaviour
A proactive and solution-focused mindset
A commitment to safeguarding and professional conductNo formal TA qualification is required - just relevant experience and the right attitude.
What You'll Gain
A structured and supportive school environment
Term-time working pattern
Opportunities for training and development
Clear pathways into specialist SEN roles or teacher training
A genuinely rewarding career supporting young peopleIf you're ready to channel your transferable skills into education and make a meaningful difference every day, we'd welcome a conversation.
All applications are subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure, professional reference checks, Overseas Police Clearances (if applicable) in line with our stringent safeguarding policy
Your CV must cover the last 10 years of employment history where possible and all employment breaks must be explained
You must have legal right to work in the UK
You must be willing to attend a registration interviewAll pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 14.3% 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.
Spencer Clarke Group work with a variety of schools covering a wide geographical area. We deal with teaching placements at Primary, Secondary, Special Education needs and college level as well as support staff positions also within these