SEN Teaching Assistant

Coast and Vale Learning Trust; Penzance; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

generous leave entitlements

pension scheme

health/wellbeing tools

training & development

career pathways

opportunities to feel valued

Job summary

Nancealverne School in Penzance is seeking a dedicated SEN Teaching Assistant to support pupils aged 3-19 with moderate to complex learning needs. You will work closely with teachers, support staff and multi-agency partners to meet diverse needs and ensure a safe, inclusive learning environment.

The role may involve personal care and supporting pupils with physical needs, with training provided in Safeguarding, Team Teach and medical protocols to support our learners effectively.

Qualifications

• Experience with children with additional needs is desirable but not essential.
• Experience with primary age children or individuals with PMLD is desirable but not essential.
• Be warm, empathetic and resilient.
• Team player who builds strong relationships with pupils and colleagues.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Brings energy, patience and purpose to the role.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with class teachers, support staff and multi-agency professionals to meet the diverse needs of pupils.
• Role may involve personal care and supporting pupils with physical needs.
• Help manage challenging behaviour.
• Receive comprehensive training, including Safeguarding, Team Teach, and medical/care protocols (epilepsy and feeding).

Skills

Experience with additional needs

Experience with primary aged children

Warm, empathetic and resilient

Team player and relationship builder

Committed to professional development

Energy, patience and purpose

Job description

About us:

Nancealverne School is a vibrant and inclusive special school located in the heart of Penzance, Cornwall. We cater for pupils aged 3-19 with moderate to complex learning needs, delivering a tailored, high-quality education that supports every individual’s academic, social and personal development. We are proud to be part of the Special Partnership Trust - a collaborative and ambitious network of specialist schools across Cornwall, committed to excellence in SEND education.

The Role:

As an SEN Teaching Assistant, your day will be varied, rewarding and impactful. You’ll work closely with class teachers, support staff, and multi-agency professionals to meet the diverse needs of our pupils. This role may involve providing personal care, supporting pupils with physical needs, and helping manage challenging behaviour. You’ll receive comprehensive ongoing training, including Safeguarding, Team Teach, and medical and care-specific support such as epilepsy and feeding protocols.

We’re Looking for Someone Who:

• Has experience working with children with additional needs (desirable but not essential)
• Has experience working with primary aged children or individuals with PMLD (desirable but not essential)
• Is warm, empathetic, and resilient
• Works well as part of a team and builds strong relationships with pupils and colleagues
• Is committed to ongoing professional development
• Brings energy, patience, and a strong sense of purpose to their work

Our Total Reward Offer

The Special Partnership Trust recognises the importance of developing a properly implemented People Strategy to underpin the overall strategic aims of the Trust.

Our People Strategy is designed to help us attract prospective high calibre candidates, as well as drive engagement, productivity and retention of our high performing and high potential employees. It reflects our belief in putting our people first. This does not mean putting our learners second. It is based on the philosophy that if we create a positive and rewarding work environment, if our staff feel motivated, well managed and well supported, they in turn will provide the best possible outcome for our learners.

We recognise that our total reward offer, has got to consist of more than just money. We seek to provide our staff with a diverse range of benefits that support their day to day needs both at work and outside of work. These include generous leave entitlements and pension scheme as well as access to health/wellbeing tools, training & development, career pathways and opportunities to ensure they feel valued.

• generous leave entitlements
• pension scheme
• access to health/wellbeing tools
• training & development
• career pathways
• opportunities to ensure they feel valued.

Safeguarding:

The Special Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to the satisfactory completion of checks and references, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In accordance with guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education; the Trust will undertake an online search of all shortlisted candidates.