Educational Support Assistant


Company:	Teaching Vacancies
Salary:	Not specified
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Huddersfield, HD8 8XR
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	16 Sept 2026
Closing date:	30 Sept 2026

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Summary

What skills and experience we're looking for

The Mast Academy Trust is seeking an enthusiastic, committed and caring individual to join the team at Birdsedge First School as an Educational Support Assistant.

This is a rewarding opportunity to support pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, helping them to access learning, develop emotional regulation strategies, build positive relationships and achieve success in school. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting some of our most vulnerable learners and helping them to thrive both academically and personally.

Birdsedge First School is a welcoming and inclusive school within The Mast Academy Trust. We are committed to providing high-quality education and ensuring every child feels valued, supported and able to achieve their full potential.

Our school has a strong sense of community and places great importance on developing confident, respectful and resilient learners. We are looking for someone who shares our values and is passionate about supporting children to thrive.

The successful candidate will work closely with teaching staff and other professionals to support pupils with SEND and SEMH needs. The role will include working with individual pupils and small groups, delivering targeted interventions, promoting positive behaviour and supporting children's emotional wellbeing and engagement in learning.

Experience of supporting children with SEMH needs is highly desirable. However, we also welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate relevant experience, transferable skills and a commitment to making a difference to the lives of children with additional needs.

We are Looking for Someone Who:

• Has experience of working with children or young people.

• Can build positive, supportive and trusting relationships with pupils.

• Has experience of supporting children with SEMH, SEND or behavioural needs, or can demonstrate transferable skills relevant to the role.

• Is patient, resilient and able to remain calm in challenging situations.

• Has strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Is reliable, hardworking and able to work as part of a team.

• Is committed to helping every child achieve their full potential.

• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

What the school offers its staff

• A warm, welcoming and supportive school environment.

• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.

• The opportunity to develop specialist skills in supporting children with SEND and SEMH needs.

• Potential progression opportunities, including support towards a HLTA qualification for the right candidate.

• Access to Trust-wide support and wellbeing services.

• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

• Enhanced occupational benefits, including maternity, adoption and parental leave provisions.

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, providing free health and wellbeing support for you and your family members.

• Annual Salary increments

• Death in Service benefit

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

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