SEN Teaching Assistant
Wakefield Secondary Schools | September start | Long-term & Short-term opportunities

Not every superhero wears a cape. Some walk into a classroom, sit beside a student, and quietly change their whole day.

We’re looking for SEN Teaching Assistants to support secondary schools across Wakefield from September. Whether you’re after something long-term or prefer the flexibility of short-term roles, there’s space here for people who genuinely care.

What this role is all about

This isn’t just about supporting learning, it’s about supporting people.

You’ll be working with students aged 11 to 16 who may need extra help with:

• Special Educational Needs (SEN) such as Autism, ADHD, or learning difficulties
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
• Building confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging in school

Some days you’ll be in lessons, helping break things down so learning clicks. Other days, you might be offering that steady encouragement that keeps a student going when things feel tough.

Who this role is perfect for

• People from a care background who are used to supporting individuals with empathy and patience
• Anyone with experience in youth work, support work, or mentoring
• Graduates or career changers with a real passion for helping young people thrive
• Those who understand that progress isn’t always measured in grades, sometimes it’s just getting through the day with a smile

If you’re calm, resilient, and naturally supportive, you’ll fit right in.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting students 1:1 or in small groups within mainstream lessons
• Helping students regulate emotions and stay engaged
• Working closely with teachers and SENCOs to adapt support strategies
• Celebrating the small wins, because they matter just as much

Why Wakefield schools need you

Schools are full of brilliant young people, but not all of them find it easy to access education in the same way. With the right support, things can shift quickly, confidence grows, behaviour improves, and learning follows.

That’s where you come in.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

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