Are you looking for a rewarding role where your creativity, compassion and ability to build relationships can have a lasting impact on children's lives?
At Protocol Education, we are recruiting Creative Classroom Assistants to work across Primary, Secondary and SEND schools throughout Durham and Sunderland.
This opportunity is ideal for individuals from creative, therapeutic and people-focused backgrounds who are passionate about supporting children and young people to overcome barriers to learning and achieve their potential.
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience or qualifications in:
Art Therapy
Speech and Language
Drama and Performing Arts
Music
Dance
Creative Arts
Psychology
Counselling
Youth Work
Mental Health Support
Childhood Studies
Social Care
Creative Media
Photography
Community Support
Whether you're a graduate looking to gain experience before pursuing further study or a professional seeking a more meaningful career, this role provides an excellent pathway into education.
Why Creative Professionals Thrive in Schools
Many pupils learn best when supported through creative, engaging and personalised approaches.
Schools increasingly value individuals who can build trust, encourage communication and help children express themselves in different ways.
Your skills could help pupils:
Build confidence and self-esteem
Improve communication and social interaction
Develop emotional regulation strategies
Increase participation in lessons
Strengthen independence and resilience
Overcome barriers to learning
Develop positive relationships with peers and staff
For pupils with SEND, SEMH needs or Speech and Language difficulties, having the right support can make a significant difference to both their education and wellbeing.
The Role
As a Creative Classroom Assistant, you will work closely with teachers, SEND professionals and pastoral teams to support pupils throughout the school day.
Your responsibilities may include:
Providing one-to-one support for pupils with additional needs
Supporting children with Speech and Language needs
Assisting pupils with Autism, ADHD and SEND
Delivering creative interventions and engagement activities
Supporting emotional wellbeing and confidence building
Encouraging communication and social development
Helping pupils access learning within the classroom
Building positive and supportive relationships
Promoting inclusion and participation
Supporting behaviour and emotional regulation strategies
No two days are the same, making this an incredibly rewarding and varied role.
A Fantastic Opportunity for Future Careers
This position is particularly valuable for individuals considering careers in:
Speech and Language Therapy
Art Therapy
Educational Psychology
Child Psychology
Occupational Therapy
Teaching
SEND Teaching
Counselling
Youth Work
Social Work
Family Support
Behaviour Support
The experience gained within schools provides a strong foundation for future postgraduate study and professional development.
Who We're Looking For
The ideal candidate will be:
Passionate about supporting children and young people
Patient, empathetic and resilient
A strong communicator
Creative and adaptable
Interested in child development and education
Comfortable building positive relationships
Motivated to learn and develop professionally
Previous experience working with children or young people is beneficial but not essential.
We welcome applicants from therapeutic, creative and support-based backgrounds who are eager to transfer their skills into education.
What Protocol Education Offers
Competitive weekly pay through PAYE
Flexible and long-term opportunities
Free CPD and accredited training
Ongoing professional development
Dedicated consultant support
Opportunities across Primary, Secondary and SEND schools
Valuable experience supporting children with additional needs
Long-term and permanent career opportunities
A clear pathway into specialist educational and therapeutic careers
Apply Today
If you're interested in a career in Speech and Language Therapy, Art Therapy, Educational Psychology, Teaching or SEND Support, this role offers a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable school-based experience while making a genuine difference to children's lives.
Join Protocol Education as a Creative Classroom Assistant and use your skills to help young people build confidence, overcome challenges and achieve success in the classroom and beyond.
All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website
