Sports Graduate Teaching Assistant | SEN Teaching Assistant | Make a Difference Through Sport | Leeds

Love sport? Want to use it to help young people thrive?

Not every achievement happens on a football pitch or in a sports hall.

Sometimes it's a student joining a lesson when they usually struggle. Sometimes it's helping a young person regulate their emotions, build confidence, or feel part of a team for the very first time.

A large specialist SEND school in Leeds is looking for a Sports Graduate Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) mainly in the classroom with, movement, and positive relationships.

This is much more than a sports role.

You'll use physical activity as a tool to help young people develop confidence, communication skills, resilience, and independence. Every day brings new challenges, small wins, and opportunities to make a genuine difference.

If you're a Sports Science, Physical Education, Sports Coaching, Psychology, or related graduate interested in SEND, mental health, behaviour support, or education, this could be the perfect first step.

What you'll be doing

Supporting students with SEND during PE lessons, sports activities, and mianly classroom learning

Building positive relationships with young people who may need additional emotional and behavioural support

Helping pupils develop confidence, communication skills, and emotional regulation through movement and structured activities

Supporting students with autism, ADHD, SEMH needs, and other additional learning needs

Adapting activities so every student can participate, achieve, and enjoy success

Becoming a trusted role model who encourages students to believe in themselves

Why this role matters

For many pupils in specialist settings, sport isn't just exercise.

It's confidence.

It's routine.

It's connection.

It's often the moment a young person realises they can succeed.

You'll play a huge part in helping students feel safe, valued, and capable both inside and outside the classroom.

This role could be perfect if you're:

• A Sports Science Graduate

• A PE Graduate

• A Sports Coaching Graduate

• Interested in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

• Considering a career in Educational Psychology

• Thinking about becoming a Teacher, SEN Teacher, Therapist, Youth Worker, or Behaviour Mentor

• Passionate about supporting young people who need a little extra help to succeed

What we're looking for

A degree in Sports Science, Physical Education, Coaching, Psychology, or a related subject

A genuine interest in supporting children and young people with SEND

Patience, empathy, and a positive attitude

Strong communication and teamwork skills

Someone who understands that progress looks different for every student

A willingness to learn and develop within a specialist education setting

Why graduates love working in SEND

No two days are the same.

You'll gain hands-on experience supporting pupils with a range of additional needs, work alongside experienced SEND professionals, and develop skills that are highly valued across education, psychology, therapy, and youth services.

Many of our graduates go on to careers in:

• Teaching

• SEN Teaching

• Educational Psychology

• Occupational Therapy

• Speech and Language Therapy

• Behaviour Support

• Youth Work

What Protocol Education offers

Weekly PAYE pay, no umbrella companies, no faff

FREE access to our CPD Academy

A dedicated consultant who actually listens

Opportunities in specialist SEND schools, alternative provisions, and mainstream settings