sendTA was created in response to a challenge that many schools face every day: finding the right Teaching Assistants to support pupils with additional needs.
The team behind sendTA has been working in schools for almost two decades through Words First Ltd, supporting schools, teachers, SENCOs, and pupils with a wide range of needs.
Over that time we have seen how the needs of pupils have continued to evolve and become more complex. Schools are working hard to meet these needs, but often struggle to find Teaching Assistants who feel confident, supported, and prepared for the role.
Teaching Assistants play a vital part in supporting pupils with SEND. Yet the role can often feel isolated, with many assistants expected to support children with significant needs without the training or guidance they deserve.
At the same time, schools often face high turnover of support staff. This means pupils must repeatedly adjust to new adults in their learning environment, which can disrupt consistency and relationships.
sendTA was created to change this.
We believe that high-quality training and professional support can transform the experience of Teaching Assistants and improve the support available to pupils in schools.
sendTA builds on the expertise of the Words First professionals, a multidisciplinary team who have supported schools in London and throughout the UK for almost 2 decades. At Words First, we have seen first hand the positive impact Teaching Assistants can have on children and young people with SEND. However, we have also seen the immense pressure Teaching Assistants are under as they navigate some of the most complex learners in schools. Without adequate training and support, we have seen them burn out and sadly, leave their roles altogether. At sendTA we want to prevent this by leveraging the outstanding skillset at Word First Ltd.
The team at Words First includes:
Through our vast experience in schools and colleges, we understand the challenges schools face when supporting pupils with SEND and the crucial role Teaching Assistants play in helping pupils participate in school life.
Our mission is simple – to improve the quality and consistency of SEND support in schools by recruiting, training and deploying a network of skilled TAs who are carefully matched to the unique needs of each educational setting.
We aim to do this by building a community of Teaching Assistants who are:
We believe that when Teaching Assistants are supported to grow professionally, pupils benefit from more stable, knowledgeable, and responsive support in the classroom.
Our long term vision is to become a trusted workforce partner for schools seeking high quality Teaching Assistants.
Everything we do is guided by a clear set of values.