Teaching Assistant

Heaton School
St. James Road
Stockport
SK4 4RE
Tel: 0161 432 1931

Teaching Assistant
Scale 4 (actual salary £18,921 - £20,167)
31 Hours, Part Time
Term Time Only
Permanent

Application Deadline: 12th July 2026 11:59pm
Please email completed application forms to recruitment@heaton.stockport.sch.uk by the above deadline, application documents can be found and downloaded at the bottom of the page.
Interview Date: 16th or 17th July 2026

The Role: Why You Matter?

We are looking for a resilient, deeply empathetic, and proactive Teaching Assistant to join our specialist team.

This isn’t a standard classroom role - it is an opportunity to make a profound, tangible difference in the lives of teenagers with complex needs (including severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning disabilities, and complex medical or behavioural profiles).

You will be the bridge between vulnerability and independence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Tailored Support: Deliver highly personalised learning and sensory activities under the guidance of class teachers and therapists.
• Holistic Care: Assist with vital personal care, mobility, and medical/sensory regulation needs with the utmost dignity and respect.
• Behavioural Communication: Look past behaviours to understand a student’s communication, using positive behaviour support strategies to create a safe, reassuring environment.
• Celebrate Progress: Track and celebrate the "small wins" that are actually massive milestones for our young people.

About You

You don’t necessarily need years of classroom experience, but you do need the right heart and mindset. We are looking for someone who is:

• Resilient & Patient: Calm under pressure, adaptable, and understanding of complex behaviours.
• A Natural Communicator: Intuitive to non-verbal cues and eager to learn specialist communication methods (e.g., Makaton, PECS).
• An Active Team Player: Ready to collaborate closely with teachers, NHS therapists, and families.
• Passionate: Genuinely invested in advocating for young people with disabilities.

Experience in SEND, care, nursing, or psychology is a distinct advantage, but comprehensive, specialist training will be provided.

About Our School

At Heaton School we believe that every young person deserves an extraordinary education. We are a vibrant, dedicated secondary special school supporting students with highly complex learning, medical, and sensory needs.

Our ethos is simple but powerful: we enjoy the journey, challenge the limits, celebrate every step, and achieve together.

What We Offer You

• A deeply rewarding role where no two days are ever the same.
• Extensive, ongoing professional development (including specialist training in medical needs, communication tools, and positive behaviour intervention).
• A warm, fiercely supportive, and collaborative team environment.

How to Apply

If you have the passion to challenge limits and celebrate every achievement, we want to hear from you.

To Apply: Please download the application pack and complete the application form. All applications are to be sent to recruitment@heaton.stockport.sch.uk

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be required to dual-verify references and undergo an enhanced DBS check.

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Stockport Council is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce culture - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities to join our workforce.

We want our employees to have a good work life balance and in many job roles we can offer a range of flexible/hybrid working arrangements. We also have inclusive employment policies and staff engagement forums to support our diverse workforce. We will listen to, learn from, and develop our workforce.