Swimming Assistant

Education Impact Academy Trust; Gravelly Hill; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Impact Academy Trust is seeking a caring Swimming Assistant to support pupils in swimming sessions, helping them gain confidence, independence and enjoyment in the water. You will work with our swimming team to create a safe, inclusive environment where every pupil can participate and progress.

The role is practical and active, requiring in-pool presence, personal care assistance, and adherence to water safety requirements.

Qualifications

• Be confident and comfortable in the water.
• Meet practical swimming and water safety requirements.
• Willing to provide pupils with personal care and changing support.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils to develop confidence, independence and enjoyment in the water.
• Work with the swimming team to meet individual pupil needs.
• Assist pupils to participate safely and positively in swimming sessions.
• Act as a positive and encouraging role model, celebrating pupil progress.
• Maintain safety, dignity and wellbeing around the pool.

Skills

Water safety

In-water support

Communication

Teamwork

Education

NRASTC Light qualification

Job description

We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Swimming Assistant to join our team. You will play an important role in supporting pupils to participate in swimming sessions, helping them to develop their confidence, independence and enjoyment in the water, while ensuring their individual needs are supported. This is an active, practical role which involves spending a significant amount of time in and around the swimming pool. You will work closely with our swimming team to provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment where every pupil is encouraged and supported to participate and achieve.

• Supporting and encouraging pupils to develop their confidence, independence and enjoyment in the water
• Working alongside our swimming team to meet the individual needs of our pupils
• Supporting pupils to participate safely and positively in swimming sessions
• Being a positive and encouraging role model, celebrating pupils' individual progress and achievements
• Assisting pupils with their physical and personal care needs, including dressing and undressing before and after swimming sessions
• Supporting with the moving, handling and positioning of pupils, following appropriate training and individual pupil guidance
• Helping to maintain a safe, supportive and inclusive environment in and around the swimming pool
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to ensure every pupil has the opportunity to participate and achieve
  You will need to be confident and comfortable in the water and able to meet the practical swimming and water safety requirements of the role.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake the relevant NRASTC Light qualification and ongoing competency checks. This includes being able to meet the practical swimming and water safety requirements of the role.

• Swim 50 metres
• Climb out of the swimming pool independently
• Surface dive to the deepest part of our pool, which is 1.82 metres
• Demonstrate and maintain the practical water-based skills required for the role

Providing personal care is an essential part of this position, and applicants must be willing and able to support pupils with their changing and personal care needs. We are looking for someone who:

• Is confident and comfortable in the water and enjoys swimming
• Is able to meet the physical and practical requirements of working within a swimming pool environment
• Is caring, patient and encouraging in their approach
• Is willing and able to provide pupils with personal care and changing support
• Has a positive attitude and can build good relationships with pupils
• Is committed to supporting pupils to develop their confidence and independence
• Has good communication skills and works well with colleagues
• Understands the importance of maintaining pupils' dignity, safety and wellbeing
• Is committed to making a positive difference to our pupils every day
• Works well as part of a supportive and dedicated team, This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent English is an essential requirement of the role.
  EIAT is a thriving Multi Academy Trust in North Birmingham incorporating Wilson Stuart School, Mayfield School, Queensbury School, The Hive College, Lime Tree Nursery and Blue Sky Nursery. We strive to share best practice and work in cohesive, collaborative and innovative ways. Our ethos is 'Better Never Ends'.

About the School Wilson Stuart School is an Ofsted designated outstanding all age (2 - 25 years) Special School which provides very high-quality education for 288 pupils and young people who have physical, intellectual disabilities and/or complex needs. As a Trust we truly value the success of every child and we place the sharing of excellent education practice at the core of this value. Professional development, challenge and support are at the heart of ensuring our staff are some of the finest teachers so they can deliver outstanding teaching. We benefit significantly from the variety of schools within the Trust, enabling staff to benefit greatly from the opportunities we have for collaborative working. in addition, we are able to benefit tremendously from sharing best practice and expertise we have within our organisation. Wilson Stuart School have achieved an Outstanding grade in their last 7 Ofsted inspections, the latest of which was December 2024 where we continued to maintain the standards identified at previous inspections. We recognise the importance of teamwork, and this is evident through all aspects of the work we do. Our students are delightful, work hard and are keen to learn and the school is a very happy and positive working environment. We have a comprehensive induction programme, friendly and very supportive staff along with excellent facilities and a superb environment to support teaching and learning. Wilson Stuart School is not just a special school - it is an exceptional school!

Education Impact Academy Trust (EIAT) is three Special Schools and a Specialist College (19-25). We also have two mainstream day nurseries. You will work with a team of staff to support children and young people to reach their full educational potential. We believe that 'Better Never Ends'. You may work with individuals who have physical disabilities, sensory impairments (i.e. hearing or visual), speech and language difficulties, learning difficulties such as dyslexia, conditions such as autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, or have a combination of these challenges. A key aspect of working within EIAT is that we identify individual needs and create a safe, stimulating and supportive learning environment. We take staff wellbeing and CPD very seriously and your professional development will provide you with a whole range of opportunities and equip you for a great career. We have 10 CPD days per year offering plenty of opportunity for your professional development. We want to engage all staff to support each other and feel included in our collaborative environment. Staff are trained to a high level and apply skills and knowledge together for the benefit of all.

Join us at Wilson Stuart School and become part of a team that supports every pupil to participate, achieve and thrive through care, encouragement and commitment. We can offer:

• A collaborative and inclusive culture that values every employee.
• A committed, hardworking team who strive to provide the best education for all students.
• Comprehensive induction and probation support and regular opportunities for professional development and growth.
• 10 staff training days across the academic year; one or two of these days may be aggregated which means completing training outside of normal working hours in twilight sessions.
• An Employee Assistance Programme via the BHSF App - including free totally confidential support, access to a GP 24/7 and counselling.
• Access to discounts and offers at many well-known retailers and other organisations via the BHSF App.
• Access to a generous pension scheme known as the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) for support staff or Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) for Teachers.
• Generous annual leave entitlement for support staff based on length of service, starting at 29 days pro-rata, rising to 32 at 5 years' plus service and 34 following 10 years' plus service. Teachers annual leave is in line with Teachers Pay & Conditions.
• Family friendly policies.
• Onsite parking at all sites.

We are the only Trust to provide SEN Allowances to ALL roles who work with students, including Teachers, TA's, Care Assistants, Pastoral Care, Guides and Drivers.