A specialist secondary alternative provision in Morden is looking for a Psychology Graduate Teaching Assistant to join its Canterbury-based provision immediately. Working with pupils aged 11–16, you’ll support young people whose education may have been disrupted by exclusion, behavioural difficulties or social and emotional needs. Pupils learn in small groups, allowing staff to build strong relationships and understand the barriers behind behaviour rather than simply managing it. For a psychology graduate considering Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, SEN or pastoral work, this is an opportunity to see theory applied in a complex educational setting from day one.
As a Psychology Graduate Teaching Assistant, you’ll work alongside experienced teachers and a wider network of professionals supporting pupils’ learning, behaviour and emotional regulation. The provision works with Educational Psychologists, CAMHS and Speech and Language Therapy, giving you useful exposure to multi-agency practice. Staff receive specialist training around behaviour and wellbeing, while individual learning plans provide structure for each pupil’s academic and social development. Ofsted’s December 2024 inspection found that standards associated with the previous Good judgement had been maintained, with pupils reported to feel safe and trust staff.
Key Highlights:
* Role: Psychology Graduate Teaching Assistant supporting KS3 and KS4 pupils
* Pay: £100–£110 per day, dependent on experience
* Location: Morden, London Borough of Merton, with the campus on Canterbury Road
* Ofsted: Good standards maintained at the latest inspection in December 2024
* Contract: Full-time, long-term Teaching Assistant position
* Start: Immediate, with applications being considered now
* Experience: Direct exposure to SEMH, behaviour intervention and alternative provision
* Development: Work around professionals including Educational Psychologists, CAMHS and Speech and Language Therapy
What You’ll Be Doing:
* Supporting pupils individually and in small groups across KS3 and KS4 lessons
* Building consistent relationships with young people who may have experienced exclusion or disrupted schooling
* Reinforcing clear boundaries while helping pupils develop emotional regulation and positive learning behaviours
* Delivering targeted academic and pastoral interventions linked to individual learning plans
* Encouraging pupils to rebuild confidence, engagement and independence in education
* Liaising with teachers and pastoral staff to identify changes in behaviour, wellbeing and academic progress
* Contributing to successful reintegration where pupils are preparing to return to mainstream education or move to another setting
Ideal Candidate for this Morden School:
* Graduated in Psychology with a strong academic record, ideally a 2:1 or First
* Demonstrates a calm, confident manner and the maturity to respond appropriately to challenging behaviour
* Brings relevant experience from mentoring, youth work, SEN, SEMH, tutoring, sports coaching or behaviour support where possible
* Understands that behaviour can communicate unmet social, emotional or learning needs
* Maintains firm, consistent boundaries without losing the ability to build genuine rapport
* Aspires towards Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, SEN teaching, pastoral work, social work or a related profession
* Commits fully to a demanding but professionally valuable long-term school placement
Why Join This Morden School?
* Learn in a specialist provision where pupils are taught in small groups rather than large mainstream classes
* Observe multi-disciplinary practice involving Educational Psychologists, CAMHS and Speech and Language professionals
* Develop practical understanding of SEMH, emotional regulation, behaviour intervention and individual learning plans
* Gain experience supporting pupils through reintegration into mainstream schools and transitions to new educational settings
* Receive specialist staff training informed by professionals working around pupils’ behaviour and wellbeing needs
* Work within a provision where Ofsted found pupils feel safe, trust adults and experience mostly calm and orderly behaviour
* Encounter a broader curriculum that includes GCSE study alongside vocational opportunities such as construction and motor mechanics
How to Apply:
Applications are being reviewed now for an immediate start, so graduates with the right academic background and temperament are encouraged to apply promptly. Submit your application through this listing to be considered for the Psychology Graduate Teaching Assistant position.
This Psychology Graduate Teaching Assistant role will suit someone who wants to understand the realities of behaviour, SEMH and disrupted education at close quarters. It offers the kind of sustained experience with young people and specialist professionals that can provide serious grounding for postgraduate psychology, SEN or pastoral career routes
Salary description
£100.00 - £110.00 per day