Specialist Teaching Assistant at the Key

Coventry City Council; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government education authority in the United Kingdom is looking for a Specialist Teaching Assistant to support teachers in delivering an inclusive curriculum. The ideal candidate will help in targeted interventions, use effective behavior management, and support pupils' emotional needs to improve educational outcomes. We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds to foster an inclusive work environment. The salary ranges from £25,989 to £29,540 per annum, pro rata for term time only, with comprehensive support and training for personal development.

Qualifications

• Ability to build relationships quickly.
• Experience in a primary school or service setting.
• Willingness to train in supporting children's social and emotional needs.

Responsibilities

• Support the teacher in delivering the curriculum.
• Work with small groups and individuals.
• Model supportive strategies to colleagues in mainstream schools.
• Assist in curricular continuity and progress.

Skills

Resilience

Empathy

Team player

Communication

Behaviour management

Job description

Specialist Teaching Assistant at the Key

Job Type: Permanent Job Sector: Other Region: West Midlands Location: The Key and educational settings throughout the city Salary: £25,989 to £29,540 per annum Salary Description: £25,989 - £29,540 Pro rata to reflect TTO weeks and hours worked Posted: 15/12/2025 Recruiter: Coventry City Council Job Ref: coventrycc/TP/382/11965

The Keys are warm and welcoming mainstream provisions for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils who are at risk of suspension or exclusion and are struggling to meet the behavioural expectations of their school. Short‑term, intensive support in a small group is provided to improve emotional resiliency and skills needed to be successful in an educational setting. We offer a broad and balanced creative curriculum which is differentiated to ensure that the children experience positive outcomes. Our aim is for children to successfully return to their mainstream school following a personalised re‑integration programme planned by Key and school staff, parents/carers, and pupils.

Values

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias. In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do. Our Values are: Open and fair, Nurture and develop, Engage and empower, Create and innovate, Own and be accountable, Value and respect.

What is the job role?

• You will support the teacher in the delivery of the curriculum.
• You will work with small groups and individuals in targeted interventions.
• You will employ excellent behaviour management skills.
• You will support pupils in their school as needed and model supportive strategies to colleagues working in mainstream schools.
• You will be required to travel from the base to support pupils in their ‘home’ school.
• You will assist in curricular continuity and progress, balancing behavioural and emotional support to enable improved outcomes and school readiness.
• You will act as a role model and motivator for pupils.

Qualifications and Experience

• Personally resilient.
• Ability to build relationships quickly and not take behaviour personally.
• Empathetic and patient.
• Positive and affirming.
• Solution‑focused.
• Good team player and good communicator.
• Experience in a primary school or service setting.
• Experience in supporting primary aged children with their social, emotional, and mental health needs is not essential, but a willingness to train and develop these skills is required.

Salary will be pro‑rated to weeks and hours 35 worked (Term Time Only). All applicants must have the right to work in the UK; if on a limited visa, you must have a minimum of two years remaining.

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and appointment will be conditional upon a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

If you are interested, please contact Dawn Neale or Marie Rowley at [e-mail] or [e-mail] to arrange a telephone conversation or a site visit.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Currently in care or have previously been in care
• Those who consider themselves disabled or have a long‑term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'.