Teaching Assistant Supporting & Delivering Learning - Grade 5

The Head Teacher and Governors of Southlands School are delighted to be able appoint a suitably qualified Teaching Assistant to work at our friendly and welcoming secondary special school in North Shields.

We believe that Southlands is a rewarding and supportive place to work. Our staff say...

"I get so much pleasure seeing the smiles on the students face when they see for themselves what they can achieve."

"It’s a place where the students are truly valued for the individuals they are, and it's where I feel supported, encouraged and cared for."

"I get to see the impact of my hard work every day"

"We prioritise well-being for all members of the school community and I feel valued and supported, giving me the confidence and opportunity to thrive professionally and personally."

"Each day presents new opportunities and challenges. One of the most rewarding aspects of working at Southlands is watching students flourish and knowing that the team I am part of has contributed to students achieving their goals. There is a collaborative and supportive atmosphere amongst the staff, which fosters a positive working environment, and enhances both staff well-being and student outcomes. "

"Southlands is a rewarding place to work; its happy and friendly."

As a school we believe in ‘Helping Young People to Help Themselves for Life Ahead’. We are looking for enthusiastic, passionate and experienced professionals to work across the curriculum to support our students in achieving their full potential. Currently our students have ASC or moderate learning difficulties. In coming years, we expect more of our cohort to have ASC.

The ideal candidate will bring with them:

• Experience and knowledge gained in other schools or working with students with ASC,
• A commitment and enthusiasm for special needs education,
• A relevant qualification or be willing to work towards this together with GCSE qualifications in English and maths,
• An enthusiastic and team orientated manner.
• Resilience and the ability to adapt to the needs of students.

The successful candidate will:

• Support staff and students across the curriculum,
• Operate as a Teaching Assistant across the curriculum when required,
• Support a tutor group each morning and afternoon,
• Prepare classrooms for lessons,
• Be prepared to undertake CPD appropriate to support their role.

Southlands School can offer:

• The opportunity to work with 139 unique and rewarding students,
• A friendly and supportive environment,
• An ongoing CPD programme,
• An experienced and dedicated team.

A full job specification and application form for this role is available at the bottom of this page.

Teacher - ASD Specialist, Grade TMPS / UPS (Permanent)

The Head Teachers and Governors are excited to recruit motivated specialist teachers to work at our welcoming and supportive school.

We are a secondary special school for students based in North Shields. We currently have 138 unique and rewarding students with ASC, moderate learning difficulties and other SEND needs on roll.

We believe that Southlands is a rewarding and supportive place to work. Our staff say...

"I get so much pleasure seeing the smiles on the students face when they see for themselves what they can achieve."

"It’s a place where the students are truly valued for the individuals they are, and it's where I feel supported, encouraged and cared for."

"I get to see the impact of my hard work every day."

"We prioritise well-being for all members of the school community and I feel valued and supported, giving me the confidence and opportunity to thrive professionally and personally."

"Each day presents new opportunities and challenges. One of the most rewarding aspects of working at Southlands is watching students flourish and knowing that the team I am part of has contributed to students achieving their goals. There is a collaborative and supportive atmosphere amongst the staff, which fosters a positive working environment, and enhances both staff well-being and student outcomes. "

"Southlands is a rewarding place to work; its happy and friendly."

The successful candidate will have a clear commitment to meeting the needs of individual students so they achieve their personal best. Applications are welcomed from both primary and secondary trained teachers with QTS and applicants will be expected to teach across the curriculum. Students work within different pathways in school which are tailored to their abilities.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of working with young people with ASD and will have excellent knowledge. They will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, along with the proven ability to work collaboratively both with internal colleagues and outside agencies.

We believe in ‘Helping Young People to Help Themselves for Life Ahead’ and this role sits at the very heart of this. By providing students with the right environment, curriculum and support we will help them to achieve the very best outcomes. You will have an understanding of the behaviours which can go along with dysregulation and have the commitment, positivity and resilience for our young people to thrive in this environment. This will involve managing complex and challenging behaviours. Students will require patience, attention, the right sort of communication, consistency as well as flexibility in equal measure, and a non-judgemental approach. Whilst your work will be, at times, challenging it will also be rewarding.

You will be working in a school where we maintain a strong safeguarding culture, where pupils are listened to and respected.

The ideal candidate will have:

An evidenced interest in and understanding of SEND needs and how these can impact on pupils learning

Excellent knowledge of ASC

• A proven track record work working with students with autism
• Strong communication skills and the ability to inspire both students and staff
• The passion and determination to strive for the very best for each and every student.
• The ability to plan and organise time effectively, work under pressure, and meet deadlines
• The ability to differentiate work for a range of students.

Candidates should be prepared to undertake CPD appropriate to support their role. 

Southlands School can offer

• A friendly and supportive environment,
• An ongoing CPD programme,
• An experienced and dedicated team

A full job specification and application form for this role is available at the bottom of this page.

Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  As such an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure will be sought along with other relevant pre-employment checks as appropriate for any positions applied for.