Job description
Behaviour Teaching Assistant
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Start Date: September 2026
Contract: Full-Time, Term Time Only
Salary: Dependent on experience
GSL Education are seeking a resilient, caring, and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) provision in York from September.
This is a rewarding opportunity for a Teaching Assistant who is passionate about supporting young people who may have experienced barriers to education. Working with secondary-aged pupils across Key Stages 3 and 4, the successful candidate will provide personalised support to help students re-engage with learning, develop confidence, and achieve positive outcomes.
The ideal candidate will have experience supporting young people with social, emotional, and behavioural needs, or transferable experience from education, youth work, mentoring, care, or support settings.
About the School
This specialist community school in York provides personalised education and support for young people who require a different approach to learning. The school’s PRU provision supports pupils who may have experienced challenges within mainstream education, helping them rebuild confidence, develop positive relationships, and successfully progress with their learning.
The school takes a nurturing and inclusive approach, recognising that every pupil has individual strengths, needs, and aspirations. Staff work collaboratively to create a safe, structured, and supportive environment where students feel valued and are encouraged to achieve their potential.
The successful candidate will join a dedicated team committed to improving outcomes for young people through positive relationships, consistent support, and a focus on personal development alongside academic progress.
About the Role
As a Behaviour Teaching Assistant within the PRU provision, you will:
- Support pupils across Key Stages 3 and 4 with their learning, wellbeing, and personal development.
- Work alongside teachers to deliver engaging and accessible learning activities.
- Provide one-to-one and small group support to help pupils overcome barriers to education.
- Build positive and trusting relationships with students, acting as a consistent and supportive role model.
- Support pupils with social, emotional, and behavioural needs through a calm and understanding approach.
- Encourage engagement, confidence, resilience, and positive attitudes towards learning.
- Promote positive behaviour through effective strategies and relationship-based support.
- Assist pupils in developing independence, communication skills, and life skills.
- Work collaboratively with teaching staff, pastoral teams, families, and external professionals.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
- Previous experience working with secondary-aged young people within an education, PRU, SEND, youth work, care, or mentoring environment.
- Experience supporting pupils with SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) needs, challenging behaviour, or barriers to learning would be advantageous.
- A patient, resilient, and empathetic approach with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with young people.
- Confidence supporting students who may have experienced difficulties with mainstream education.
- The ability to motivate and encourage pupils who may lack confidence or engagement with learning.
- A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and helping every young person achieve their potential.
- An enhanced DBS registered on the Update Service, or be willing to apply for one through GSL Education.
What GSL Education Offer:
- Competitive rates of pay paid via PAYE or an Umbrella Company.
- A dedicated consultant providing ongoing support throughout your placement.
- Access to a wide range of long-term and permanent education opportunities.
- Continuous professional development and training opportunities with over £8500 worth of CPD available to you for free.
- A supportive and experienced team with excellent knowledge of the local education sector.
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people.
GSL Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to appropriate safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check with children’s barred list (where applicable), verification of employment history, references, and other relevant pre-employment checks in line with safer recruitment procedures.
If you are a compassionate and resilient Teaching Assistant looking for a rewarding opportunity supporting secondary-aged pupils within a PRU setting in York this September, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today for a confidential conversation with the GSL Education team and take the next step in your education career.