Emma's Story: From Teaching Assistant to Senior Leadership
- School
June 8, 2026
'Every day presents an opportunity to make a real difference.'
I joined the school as a Teaching Assistant in 2015, driven by a desire to make a difference to the lives of autistic young people. What I found was not only a rewarding career, but a school that invests in its staff as much as its pupils.
With the support of the organisation, I completed my teacher training and progressed into teaching before becoming a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The opportunities for professional development have been a key part of my journey and have enabled me to grow both personally and professionally.
What makes this role so special is that no two days are ever the same. Every day brings new challenges, opportunities and successes. Every achievement no matter how big or small is celebrated and pupils thrive within their environment surrounded by their passionate and caring team. Being person centred is at the heart of everything we do.
Working in an autism specialist school is about much more than education. It's about developing independence, enabling communication and helping pupils prepare for adulthood. Seeing the progress pupils make and knowing you've played a part in that journey is what makes this such a fulfilling place to work.
If you're looking for a career where you can make a genuine difference every day while being supported to develop and progress, this is a fantastic place to be.
Inspired by Emma's story?
To find out more about joining the team at AEM, read on for >> latest job vacancies.
