SEN TEACHING ASSISTANT – THE PERFECT STARTING POINT FOR A CAREER IN EDUCATION

Location: Leeds & Bradford Contract: Full-time | Term Time Only
If you’re considering a career in education but don’t yet have experience or qualifications, this is where to begin.
We’re working with several SEN (Special Educational Needs) schools across Leeds and Bradford who are looking for resilient, proactive, and curious individuals to join their teams as Teaching Assistants. These roles don’t require any previous classroom experience, just the right mindset and a genuine desire to learn.
You’ll work closely with children and young people with additional needs such as autism, ADHD, learning difficulties, or social and emotional challenges. Your role will be to support them in the classroom, build trust, and help them thrive, both academically and emotionally.

A role as an SEN TA is not just a job, it’s a real launchpad for a long and rewarding career in education. Depending on your interests and strengths, you could progress in a number of directions:

• Teaching & Leadership RouteGain classroom experience, complete a funded teaching qualification (e.g., PGCE or School Direct), and move into a teacher or subject leader role. With time, this can lead to Senior Leadership (SLT) positions such as Assistant Head, SENCo or even Headteacher.
• Pastoral & Behaviour Support RouteIf you’re passionate about wellbeing and emotional development, you can move into roles such as Pastoral Lead, Behaviour Mentor, Family Liaison Officer or Safeguarding Lead, supporting students beyond academics.
• Business & Operations RoutePrefer something behind the scenes? Your experience in schools can transition into roles in school administration, data and exams teams, HR, finance, or even school business management, all vital to keeping schools running smoothly.