Danny Burns - Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant

17 year old Danny is a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistant apprentice through Inspire ATA.

Inspire ATA is the UK’s leading Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agency, offering short-term apprenticeship placements through a unique recruit, train and deploy model.

Danny has his placement at Thomas Bewick School, a specialist school for autistic children and young people in Newcastle upon Tyne.

He has always had a passion for working with young people with SEN and enjoys bonding with them as well as supporting them all the way through their journey at the school.

In a recent meeting with his tutor, Danny shared his story.

“I have always wanted to work with SEN children. I also felt that university wasn’t for me so decided to look for an apprenticeship.

My sister has cerebral palsy, and I have helped to look after her a lot. I was helped to find this apprenticeship by my class teacher; they sent me the information, so I decided to take the opportunity.

The main benefit of doing an apprenticeship is that I enjoy the responsibility and trust that are given to me, so I can flourish and grow in my role.

The best part of my role is getting to see the children’s progress. I enjoy creating a bond with the children and the impact and support I have on their learning and lives.

I didn’t expect to enjoy teaching as much as I do, and I find my role as a teaching assistant extremely rewarding.”