Specialist Teaching Assistant

Downend School; West of England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Downend School is seeking a dedicated Specialist Teaching Assistant to work within a team supporting pupils, including those with special needs. Reporting to the SENDCo, you will plan and deliver targeted interventions to identified students who require additional support.

The role involves leading small group work, supporting literacy and numeracy, monitoring progress, and maintaining accurate records. A compassionate, proactive approach and good communication with parents and staff are

Qualifications

• Experience supporting pupils with special needs.
• Ability to plan and deliver targeted interventions.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead small group work and 1:1 intervention sessions, supporting literacy and numeracy.
• Monitor student responses and help them achieve learning targets.
• Liaise with classroom teachers to plan effective support and maintain accurate SEN records.
• Assist with implementing behaviour management programs and ensure student safety.

Job description

Job title: Specialist Teaching Assistant

Salary: PATH 6. £29,542 FTE, £22,319 prorated

Hours: 32.5 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent

About the role

We are looking for a dedicated individual to work as part of a team promoting the emotional, physical and educational development of pupils, including those with special needs. Reporting to the SENDCo, you will play a key role in planning and delivering targeted interventions to identified students who require additional support.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading small group work and 1:1 intervention sessions, specifically supporting literacy and numeracy skills.
• Monitoring student responses to learning activities and helping them achieve learning targets.
• Liaising with classroom teachers to plan effective support and maintain accurate special needs records.
• Assisting with the implementation of behavior management programs and ensuring student safety.

About you

You are an experienced, enthusiastic and proactive person committed to securing high standards for all young people. You possess endless supplies of compassion and patience, alongside the confidence to work with secondary aged students.

The ideal candidate will:

• be an experienced, enthusiastic, proactive and resourceful person who is committed to securing high standards for all young people.
• have up to date knowledge and continuing professional development in any specialist area of responsibility
• be able to demonstrate commitment to recent training related to SEND interventions
• understand what constitutes an effective intervention and will understand how to use data to inform the intent, implementation and impact of any intervention work
• be someone with good communication and organisational skills that will include dealing with parents, outside agencies and the students.
• excellent organisation skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills

About us

At Downend School we provide a safe, supportive and challenging learning environment that aims to inspire and empower young people to grasp opportunity; to reach their potential and excel; to develop responsibility and integrity and to respect themselves and others.

We have a strong ethos based on our core PRIDE values of participation, respect, identity, determination and excellence. We set standards high and aim to nurture young people who are well equipped to become active and positive members of the school community and to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a time of rapid change.

We are proud of the care and support we offer our students. We strongly believe in the value of creating a friendly and caring school community where youngsters feel a sense of belonging and feel valued and respected. Happy and motivated students will flourish and become successful young people. Above all, Downend is a happy school.

We can offer you:

• Happy, engaging students
• A supportive trust and school community
• Strong collaboration across the trust family of schools and access to a centralised team of specialists across all areas of school operations
• A commitment to high‑quality CPD, with dedicated time and budget for your development
• A values‑driven ethos where diversity, equity and inclusion are lived every day
• Recognition of continuous service (modification order) to protect employment rights and entitlements
• Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions and death‑in‑service cover
• Occupational sick pay to support you during illness or unexpected emergencies
• Family‑friendly leave packages to help maintain a healthy work–life balance

Join us in Providing a Great Education for Every Child

Pathway Trust is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and communities, as we recognise the importance and benefit this has for our pupils.