ASD Support Assistant

This role is fixed term initially until 31st August 2026 with potential to become permanent, working time time only plus 5 training days, and part time 35 hours per week.

Are you ready to make a real difference in a specialist setting? We are seeking to appoint a colleague who can support pupils with ASD both within the specialist provision (ARP) and the wider school. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of an inclusive community, helping pupils navigate their school day and reach their full potential.

As an ASD Support Assistant, you'll work directly with pupils, assisting with curriculum-related tasks and providing classroom support under the direction of a teacher. You will also contribute to the care of the ARP pupils for part of the extended school day.

• Have experience of providing specialist support to pupils.
• Help maintain an organised and purposeful learning environment for our pupils.
• Hold anNVQ Level 2 or 3 for Teaching Assistants or equivalent or experience.
• Have experience of using ICT to support pupils in the classroom including school IT systems and Microsoft Office.
• Have the ability to demonstrate emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours.

Our schoolis one of eight primary and secondary schools within the NEAT Academy Trust family of schools. At the heart of our trust is the aim to nurture, educate, achieve and transform the lives of all young people within the communities we serve across the North East. We have a national research school, which aims tobuild and strengthen networks ofschoolsthroughout the region and help them access effective educationresearchand implement it in everyday practice.

Benfield School is a fully inclusive 11-16 school it has a distinct ethos with strong sense of support and loyalty. Excellent relationships between students and staff and a purposeful learning environment is evident in lessons and around the modernised site. With this foundation, students have a strong platform to be confident, happy and are able to achieve their aspiration.

• Great opportunities for continuing professional development and a career pathway across our trust.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), delivered by Health Assured – the UK and Irelands leading wellbeing provider.
• National living Wage, meaning everyone at NEAT Academy Trust receives a minimum hourly wage of £12.60 per hour.
• Cycle to work scheme offering savings on a range of bikes and safety equipment via salary sacrifice.
• Access to free eyes tests for DSE users.
• Opportunities for flexible working. Discounts for large national retailers and local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, insurance and much more.
• Membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pensions Scheme which the trust also contributes to on your behalf.
• Recognition of previous service with other schools, academies, local government etc.
• Family friendly schemes such as maternity, paternity, shared parental and emergency dependent leave.

If you would like to join us and feel you could thrive here, then please read the accompanying Job Description and Person Specification and complete an application form by clicking ‘apply now’ nolaterthanmidnight on Sunday 18th January 2026.

Please note, the provisional date for interviews is Tuesday 27th January 2026.

NEAT is committed to safer recruitment practice and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service is required as part of pre-employment checks. For shortlisted candidates, we will conduct an online search as part of our screening.