SEN Teaching Assistant

Nancealverne School; Penzance; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Nancealverne School in Penzance, Cornwall, seeks an SEN Teaching Assistant to support pupils with varied learning needs alongside teachers and specialists. The role involves collaboration with support staff and other agencies to deliver inclusive education and proactive behaviour management.

We offer comprehensive safeguarding training and professional development within the Special Partnership Trust, fostering a positive, rewarding work environment for staff and learners alike.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with additional needs (desirable).
• Warm, empathetic and resilient.
• Works well as part of a team and builds relationships with pupils and colleagues.
• Committed to ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with diverse needs under guidance of teachers and support staff.
• Provide personal care and assist with physical needs when required.
• Assist with managing challenging behaviour in line with school policies.
• Participate in safeguarding training and multi-agency collaboration.

Skills

Empathy

Teamwork

Patience

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)
• 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.

Please visit the Special Partnership website, www.specialpartnership.org for further information about our Trust, or to learn more about our People Strategy and Benefits

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.