SEND Support Assistant - Waterside Primary School

Wmjobs; Hempstalls; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterside Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent is seeking a caring, enthusiastic SEND Support Teaching Assistant to join our welcoming team. You will support children with SEND, provide individual and small-group assistance, and help pupils access learning and build confidence within our inclusive 4D curriculum.

Working alongside teachers and our school community, you will foster positive relationships, support personal development, and contribute to a culture where every child can thrive.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, ideally in a primary or SEND setting.
• Passionate about supporting children with additional needs.
• Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with pupils.
• Patient, caring and understanding.
• Positive and inclusive approach to learning.
• Works well in a team and can use own initiative.
• Reliable, enthusiastic and committed to making a difference.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and small-group support to help pupils access learning.
• Support children to develop confidence and independence.
• Collaborate with teachers and the wider school team to deliver learning experiences.

Skills

Experience with children (primary/SEND

Supporting children with additional-ne

Building positive relationships

Patience and care

Inclusive learning mindset

Teamwork with initiative

Reliability and commitment

Job description

We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and committed SEND Support Teaching Assistant to join our welcoming primary school in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and helping every pupil to achieve their full potential.

Working alongside teachers and the wider school team, you will provide individual and small-group support, helping children to access learning, develop their confidence and independence, and thrive within the school environment.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with children, ideally within a primary or SEND setting.
• Is passionate about supporting children with additional needs.
• Can build positive and trusting relationships with pupils.
• Is patient, caring and understanding.
• Has a positive and inclusive approach to learning.
• Can work effectively as part of a team while also using their own initiative.
• Is reliable, enthusiastic and committed to making a difference.

Waterside Primary School is proud to be situated in the heart of Stoke on-Trent where cultural richness and diversity is celebrated within our school and our local community. There is sharp focus at Waterside on becoming respectful and tolerant citizens which enable positive interactions within and beyond our school. Although there is a high level of deprivation, and social challenges we are committed to‘Empowering Learners’and enriching lives.

Due to the challenges within our context, we place high priority on developing the whole child. We are highly ambitious and inclusive and strive to intrinsically embedthe British Values and our Personal Development curriculum including our school values (Respect,Determination,Excellence,Friendship,Courage,Inspiration,Equality) to ensure that pupils acquire skills and knowledge for future learning and life in modern Britain. All staff at Waterside are highly aspirational and consistently deliverrich learning experiences within our ambitious broad and balance 4D curriculum, that secure academic achievement and progress, whilst going beyond the curriculum to reinforce the skills required for life-long learning.

At Waterside, we understand the importance of equity in ensuring all pupils are able to achieve from their individual starting points, and through the challenging and diversified opportunities that we provide, children become confident learners who are prepared for life beyond the classroom.

Our ambition and passion for success for all, drives the work that we do and the decisions that we make.

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Our values—opportunity, integrity, community, and equity—guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our
mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.

We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.

Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.
We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Every child deserves an exceptional primary education.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe the primary years are where confidence grows, curiosity begins and a lifelong love of learning is nurtured. Across our family of primary schools, we are committed to creating welcoming, inclusive environments where every child is known, valued and encouraged to achieve their very best.

Our curriculum is designed to inspire children to become confident readers, effective communicators, curious learners and resilient young people. From the earliest stages of education through to the transition into secondary school, we provide engaging learning experiences that help every child develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to thrive. Through our Trust-wide Digital Strategy, we also embrace technology to enrich teaching and learning, preparing pupils for an increasingly digital future.

We know that every child is unique, that's why inclusion sits at the heart of everything we do. Through high expectations, thoughtful support and a genuine sense of belonging, we create opportunities for every pupil to succeed, whatever their starting point or individual needs.

Alongside academic achievement, we place great importance on personal development. We want our pupils to leave our schools with confidence, resilience, creativity and strong character. A wide range of enrichment opportunities and memorable experiences help children discover new interests, build aspirations and develop the skills they need for life beyond the classroom.

As part of Shaw Education Trust, you will join a community of schools that values collaboration, professional growth and continuous improvement. While each of our primary schools has its own unique character, we are united by a shared purpose,providing the very best education for every child and creating places where both pupils and colleagues can flourish.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free Discount ForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from:Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.

• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.

Safer Recruitment & Equal Opportunities Statement

Waterside Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding and Pupil Protection Policy https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/key-information

This position is subject to robust vetting procedures, including an online search for all shortlisted candidates, in line with our Trust’s commitment to safer recruitment. An enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), is required. You will be asked to disclose all relevant unspent and, where applicable, unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions, and convictions.

As part of our safer recruitment and pre-employment checking process, all shortlisted candidates are required to provide original documentation to verify their identity, qualifications and right to work in the UK. Shaw Education Trust requires all applicants to be eligible to work in the UK with no restrictions as we are unable to offer sponsorship/work visas. You will be required to provide proof of Right to Work at interview stage and if you are offered a job position with us.

This role involves working with children and young people and therefore carries specific safeguarding responsibilities, details of these responsibilities are set out in the job description and person specification. Thispost is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be required to disclose relevant criminal history information in accordance with current legislation and guidance.

Check if you need to tell someone about your criminal record: https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record/what-information-you-need-to-give

Shaw Education Trustis an Equal Opportunities employer. We are fully committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at every stage.

In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.

Application deadline: Friday, 2nd October 2026 at 9am

Interview date: W/C – Monday, October 2026

We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, therefore, we encourage early applications.

Successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks.