EYFS/SEND Teaching Assistant

Full Job Description

At OFG Education we believe in creating a better work life balance

Job Title:  EYFS/SEND Teaching Assistant
Location:  Hambrook School, Burgess Hill, West Sussex
Hours:  37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am - 4.00pm     
Salary:  £23,080.50 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:  October 2026    
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Are you patient, creative and passionate about helping young people discover what they're capable of? At Hambrook School, we're looking for a caring, enthusiastic and dedicated EYFS/SEND Teaching Assistant to join our team and help create inspiring learning experiences for students with autism and additional needs.

This is more than a classroom support role. It's an opportunity to spark curiosity, build confidence and celebrate the small steps that lead to life-changing achievements. You'll help bring learning to life through engaging EYFS activities, sensory experiences, creative play and outdoor learning, supporting students to explore the world around them in ways that work for them.

From helping a student communicate their needs to encouraging them to try something new, you'll play an important part in developing their independence, social skills and emotional wellbeing.

Working alongside teachers, therapists and a supportive school team, you'll help create a safe, nurturing environment where every student feels understood, valued and encouraged to succeed.

If you're looking for a rewarding role where your patience, encouragement and creativity can make a real difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Bring learning to life by supporting creative, sensory-based and play-led EYFS activities that encourage curiosity and engagement.
• Help every student progress, providing personalised support for students with autism and additional SEND needs.
• Build confidence and independence, encouraging communication, social interaction and essential everyday life skills.
• Create a nurturing environment, supporting emotional wellbeing and helping students feel safe, understood and ready to learn.
• Make learning exciting, preparing engaging resources and supporting indoor, outdoor and practical learning experiences.
• Work collaboratively with teachers and therapists, following individual learning plans and specialist support strategies.
• Support students throughout the school day, including classroom activities, educational visits and personal or intimate care where required, with full training provided.
• Celebrate every achievement, encouraging positive behaviour, recognising progress and helping students develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who believes every young person deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed in their own way.

You'll bring:

• A caring, patient and compassionate approach, with a genuine passion for supporting students with SEND.
• An interest in EYFS, sensory learning and creative, play-based activities that make education engaging and accessible.
• The ability to build positive, trusting relationships with students, colleagues and other professionals.
• A calm, adaptable and resilient attitude when supporting students with different learning, communication and emotional needs.
• Enthusiasm for encouraging independence, confidence and personal development.
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to work collaboratively as part of a supportive team.
• A positive, proactive approach, with the flexibility to respond to individual student needs throughout the day.
• A commitment to safeguarding, student wellbeing and inclusive education, including a willingness to provide personal care support where required.

Experience in education, childcare, care or supporting individuals with additional needs would be valuable, but we're equally interested in candidates who can bring transferable skills, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to make a difference.

About Our School

Hambrook School is located in Burgess Hill West Sussex. Burgess Hill is just on the West Sussex side of the border and just across the county boundary of East Sussex. Brighton and Hove are a short drive and just northeast of Chichester. 

Our aim is to help students excel by providing a structured, nurturing approach, with students accessing a broad, balanced, engaging and extraordinarily rich curriculum.

We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

OFG Education is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, OFG Education does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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