Location: The Wirral, Merseyside
Salary: £90–£110 per day (dependent on experience)
Job Type: Full-time, Long-term & Permanent Opportunities
Kickstart Your Career in Education with Engage Education
Are you a Sports Graduate looking for a rewarding role where you can use your coaching skills to make a genuine difference?
Engage Education is working with a number of specialist SEN schools across The Wirral, recruiting enthusiastic Sports Graduates to join their teams as Teaching Assistants. This is an exciting opportunity to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs while gaining invaluable classroom experience.
Whether you're considering a career in teaching, educational psychology, occupational therapy, youth work, or behaviour support, this role provides an excellent foundation.
The Role
As an SEN Sports Graduate Teaching Assistant, you'll use your enthusiasm, resilience, and leadership skills to support pupils with a variety of additional needs, including:
* Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
* ADHD
* Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
* Moderate and Severe Learning Difficulties (MLD/SLD)
* Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
Your responsibilities will include:
* Supporting pupils on a one-to-one basis and in small groups.
* Using sport, physical activity, and structured games to encourage engagement, teamwork, confidence, and emotional regulation.
* Assisting teachers in delivering tailored learning activities.
* Supporting pupils with behaviour management and positive routines.
* Building trusting relationships that help pupils thrive both academically and socially.
* Encouraging independence while maintaining a safe and inclusive learning environment.
* Supporting PE lessons, outdoor learning, enrichment activities, and school trips where appropriate.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for candidates who have:
* A degree in Sports Coaching, Sports Science, Physical Education, Exercise Science, or a related subject.
* Experience working with children or young people through sports coaching, mentoring, tutoring, youth work, volunteering, or community programmes.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
* A patient, resilient, and proactive approach.
* A genuine passion for supporting children with Special Educational Needs.
* An enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to obtain one.
* The right to work in the UK.
No previous school experience is required. If you've coached sports teams, worked at holiday camps, volunteered with young people, or mentored children, we'd love to hear from you.
Why Join Engage Education?
When you work with Engage Education, you'll benefit from:
* Competitive weekly pay.
* Dedicated support from an experienced education consultant.
* Access to specialist SEN schools throughout The Wirral.
* Free CPD, including SEND awareness, behaviour management, safeguarding, and classroom-based training.
* Long-term placements with opportunities to secure permanent roles.
* A clear pathway into teacher training, pastoral care, behaviour mentoring, or other education careers.
Why Sports Graduates Are Perfect for SEN Schools
The skills you've developed through sport—leadership, communication, resilience, teamwork, motivation, and adaptability—are exactly what many SEN schools are looking for. Your ability to inspire confidence, build positive relationships, and encourage participation can have a life-changing impact on pupils who benefit from active, engaging, and consistent support.
About Engage Education
Since 2008, Engage Education has been connecting talented education professionals with schools across England. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional support to our candidates and building lasting partnerships with schools, helping every placement become a success.
Apply Today
If you're ready to turn your passion for sport into a rewarding career supporting children with additional needs, we'd love to hear from you.
Submit your CV today, and one of our dedicated consultants will be in touch to discuss SEN Teaching Assistant opportunities in specialist schools across The Wirral.
Engage Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds