Primary Teaching Assistant
TeacherActive
£84 - £95/day
Sheffield
Full time, temporary
The Breakroom Take
- People enjoy this job
- Respectful managers
About TeacherActive
TeacherActive is a supply teaching & education recruitment agency.
Job description from TeacherActive
Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant
Location: Primary Special School in Sheffield (S8)
Contract: Full-time
Salary: £84 to £95 per day depending on experience
About the Role
We are seeking compassionate and dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistant to join our team in supporting children with Special Educational Needs at one of our Special Schools in S8.
The school is a Primary Special School that caters for those four to eleven years old with a range of Special Needs and Disabilities.
You must have full-time availability as this role is Monday-Friday (8:30 - 15:30)
You must be able to travel to S8
Key Responsibilities
Support Learning: Assist in the delivery of tailored educational programs and activities to meet the individual needs of students.
Individual and Group Support: Work one-on-one or in small groups with students, providing additional help and encouragement.
Behavioural Support: Assist in managing and improving student behaviour, using positive reinforcement techniques.
Classroom Assistance: Support the class teacher in preparing resources, setting up activities, and maintaining a safe and stimulating learning environment.
Personal Care: Provide assistance with personal care needs where necessary, ensuring dignity and respect.
Communication: Facilitate communication with students who may have language, communication, or sensory needs
Observation and Reporting: Monitor and record student progress, sharing observations with teachers and parents as required.
Inclusivity: Promote an inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued and supported.
Essential Criteria
Experience: Previous experience working with children with special educational needs is highly desirable.
Understanding of SEN: A good understanding of various special educational needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning difficulties, sensory impairments, and physical disabilities.
Patience and Empathy: A calm, patient, and empathetic approach, with the ability to handle challenging situations with sensitivity.
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with students, staff, and parents.
Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to different learning environments and student needs.
Team Player: Ability to work effectively as part of a team, collaborating with teachers, therapists, and other support staff.
Reliability and Commitment: A dependable and dedicated individual who is committed to improving the educational experience of SEN students.
Qualifications
Education: A relevant qualification in education, childcare, or a related field is preferred but not essential.
Safeguarding: A thorough understanding of safeguarding procedures. Successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Benefits
Flexible working options to suit your lifestyle.
Opportunities for professional development and training.
A rewarding and fulfilling role making a difference in children's lives.
How to Apply
Click apply, alternatively please submit your CV to
We look forward to welcoming passionate and committed individuals to our team!
Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children with Special Educational Needs across South Yorkshire. Your support can help them reach their full potential!
All applicants will be contacted to discuss suitability and then invited to register with TeacherActive.
Registration involves an enhanced DBS check, ID checks and will require you to supply good professional references. We pride ourselves on excellent service. We can provide a wide range of opportunities in schools and other educational institutions, with good rates of pay, at times to suit your needs.
Regular external audits have shown repeatedly that our standards are exceptional. We are passionate about finding the right staff for each environment.
TeacherActive is an equal opportunities employer, and operates as an Employment Business in providing temporary or contract job-seeking services
Job insights from Breakroom
Teaching assistants
Teaching assistants support teachers and help children with their educational needs
What you’ll do as a teaching assistant:
- Support teachers in the classroom
- Support children with their educational needs
- Be responsible for the health and safety of children
- Listen, support and teach children
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Sitting
- Physical activities
- Using a computer
- Emotionally demanding duties
Map
Sheffield
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What employees say
Pay
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Good
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Most people are paid a living wage
Do TeacherActive pay teaching assistants enough to live on?
Most people are paid a living wage.
How we know this
67% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.00 per hour, and £13.15 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Good
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Most people are paid market rates
Do TeacherActive pay teaching assistants market rates?
Most people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
81% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Okay
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Only some people get paid breaks
Do teaching assistants at TeacherActive get paid breaks?
Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.
How we know this
57% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get sick pay
Do TeacherActive pay teaching assistants sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
87% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Needs improving
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Most people do unpaid extra work
Do teaching assistants at TeacherActive do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Yes. Lots of people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
82% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do teaching assistants get of their shift pattern at TeacherActive?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 100% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 0% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 0% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 0% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Okay
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Some people worry about their hours
Do teaching assistants at TeacherActive worry about hours?
Some people worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
67% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do teaching assistants at TeacherActive get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
64% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2022 and February 2024.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to book holiday
How easy is it for teaching assistants to book a holiday at TeacherActive?
Some people find it hard to book holiday.
How we know this
40% of people report it’s hard to book holidays.Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do TeacherActive managers change teaching assistants shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
62% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Good
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Most people find it easy to take sick leave
How easy is it for teaching assistants to take sick leave at TeacherActive?
Most people find it easy to take sick leave.
How we know this
77% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Needs improving
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People work a lot more hours than their contract
Do teaching assistants work the same number they are contracted for at TeacherActive?
Most people work a lot more hours than their contact..
How we know this
83% of people report working 8 hours or more than their contract.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you should expect to work about the same number of hours that your contract guarantees you, most of the time.
It’s useful to pick up or drop a few shifts here and there, but if you often work a lot more hours every week than you’re contracted for, a good job should guarantee them.
This means you’re more likely to know when you’ll be working and how much you’ll earn in advance.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do teaching assistants at TeacherActive feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
92% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do teaching assistants at TeacherActive get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
40% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful for teaching assistants to work at TeacherActive?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
69% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Good
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Most people enjoy their job
Do teaching assistants at TeacherActive enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
91% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 and August 2024.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do teaching assistants at TeacherActive recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
50% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do teaching assistants get enough training when they start at TeacherActive?
Some people did’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
53% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
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Only some people get support to progress
Are teaching assistants given support to progress at TeacherActive?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 47% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Okay
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Head office only partly understands what’s happening
Do teaching assistants think TeacherActive head office understands what's happening where they work?
Some people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
64% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t feel well informed by head office
Do teaching assistants feel well informed about how TeacherActive is doing?
Most people don’t feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
75% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and August 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What TeacherActive employees say about their job
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Best thing
Good holidays
Worst thing
Can’t switch off and need to deal with up multiple problems every single day
TeacherActive Teaching assistant, January 2024
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Best thing
Get the holidays off
Working with different variants of children
Do something different every dayWorst thing
Difficult children
TeacherActive Employee, June 2023
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