Teaching Assistant

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Bower Lodge School

• Southampton
• Permanent

Salary: £22,160.62 per annum

Hours:

37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

We believe in giving you more time to do the things you love outside of work

Job title:
Teacher Assistant
Location:
Bower Lodge School, Dibden, Southampton, SO45 5TD

Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:30am – 4:30pm
Contract:
Permanent | Term Time only
Start:
October 2026
UK applicants only; no sponsorship available

About the Role

Be the Person Who Helps a Young Person Believe They Can. At Bower Lodge School, we’re looking for a caring, positive and resilient Teaching Assistant to help young people overcome barriers to learning, build confidence and recognise what they are capable of achieving.

This is much more than supporting lessons. You’ll be a mentor, role model and trusted adult, building positive relationships and providing the consistency and encouragement young people need to engage with their education.

Working alongside experienced teachers and a supportive wider team, you’ll help create learning experiences that are engaging, accessible and meaningful. Whether you’re supporting a young person individually, working with a small group or getting involved in wider school activities, you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference every day.

What you will be doing

• Provide individual and small group support, helping young people engage with learning and make meaningful progress
• Build positive and trusting relationships that help young people feel safe, valued and understood
• Work alongside teachers to deliver creative and engaging learning activities
• Encourage greater confidence, independence, resilience and social development
• Support emotional wellbeing and use positive, consistent approaches to behaviour
• Adapt your support around individual strengths, needs and learning styles
• Help create a calm, nurturing and inclusive environment where young people can succeed
• Recognise and celebrate progress, helping young people develop confidence in their own abilities

Who We’re Looking For

We’re interested in more than what’s written on your CV. We’re looking for someone with the patience, resilience and enthusiasm to make a genuine difference.

You may already be an experienced Teaching Assistant, or your skills could come from education, care, youth work, childcare, coaching or support services.

You’ll bring:

• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above, or equivalent
• A caring and patient approach with the ability to build positive relationships with young people
• Resilience and the ability to remain calm and consistent when situations become challenging
• An adaptable and creative approach to supporting different learning needs
• The ability to work collaboratively and contribute positively to a supportive team
• A genuine commitment to helping young people develop and achieve their potential
• A strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of young people

About us

Bower Lodge School is a specialist day school in Dibden, Southampton, for boys and girls aged 4–11 with a diagnosis of autism and complex learning, communication, and sensory needs.

With capacity for 40 pupils, we provide a small, nurturing, and inclusive environment. Our approach is tailored to each child’s individual strengths and needs. Through personalised learning and high levels of support, we help pupils thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

At Bower Lodge School, every child is valued, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning…