SEND Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant

Join the Team at Fred Nicholson School

Make a real difference in the lives of amazing young people.

Are you ready for an opportunity that truly matters? We are looking for dedicated SEND Behaviour Support Teaching Assistants to join our friendly, supportive, and imaginative team. Whether you’re an experienced educator or someone with a passion for SEN looking to start a new career, we’d love to hear from you.

Our Behaviour Support Assistants are directed by our Area Leaders, working across multiple classes. The BSA role is there to support pupils who are struggling to access their learning, often due to regulation barriers. All BSA are Steps lead professionals, therefore they model a kind compassionate approach to support, understanding the whole child. As a BSA you observe behaviours, suggest strategies, deliver interventions, model interactions and toolkits, feed into behaviour support plans and attend our team around the child meetings.

We are looking for people who are:

• Ready to make a difference to pupils with complex needs (pupils aged 4‑18).
• Looking for opportunities to learn:
  You’ll join a team that values professional development and growth.
• Adaptable and kind:
  Our pupils succeed when they have consistent, caring adults by their sides.
• Resilient and positive: A good sense of humour and a positive outlook are a must.

Fred Nicholson School is a Complex Needs School for pupils aged 4‑18 with a wide range of needs, including complex and severe learning difficulties as well as social interaction and communication difficulties. All pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan and access a practical, hands‑on curriculum (based on EYFS and Primary models). Our classes are approximately 12 pupils per class, with a focus on engagement and success.

Our purpose‑built site on Lynn Road is designed to meet the complex needs of our pupils, featuring:

• Purpose‑built provision for pupils aged 4‑18 years
• Bespoke, sensory‑designed learning spaces
• Large outdoor facilities, including play equipment, a MUGA and a forest school
• Dedicated soft play, sensory enrichment and independence classrooms

We value balance and clarity. Here is what the week looks like:

Schedule:

37 hours per week (Term time + 1 week).

Daily:
Mon/Wed/Thu 08:30–16:30, Tue 08:30–16:45, Fri 08:30–15:45.

Salary:
Scale E (£26,824 – £28,142 FTE).

Don't worry if you haven't worked in a school before. If you have the heart for it, we provide:

• A full staff induction programme.
• Ongoing Whole School CPD (Continuing Professional Development).
• Specialist training appropriate to your specific role.

Telephone:
Email: hr@

A job description is available from ‘Attachments’.

Ready to take the next step?

We will be reviewing applications as they come in, and promising candidates may be invited for interview before the closing date.

Closing date: 24 June 2026, 9am

Interview date: w/c 29 June 2026

Fred Nicholson School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; an enhanced DBS check is required for all successful candidates.

This post is likely to come under the requirements of the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations and the successful applicant will be required to complete a declaration form to establish whether they are disqualified under these regulations.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and you will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced DBS check with barred list. If you have information to declare it may be protected under the Exceptions Orders and you may not be required to declare it. You will be asked to make a criminal conviction declaration if you are shortlisted for the post.

Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.