Teaching Assistant

Teaching Vacancies; Penzance; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A local school in Penzance is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant focused on supporting children's speech, language, and communication development. This role involves working closely with teachers and external professionals to deliver interventions, promoting an inclusive and nurturing learning environment. Ideal candidates will possess relevant teaching qualifications and experience with children needing additional support. The school offers a competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a supportive team atmosphere.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Access to Teachers Pension or Local Government Pension Schemes

Cycle to work scheme

Eye voucher scheme

Access to CPD and career pathways

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children with speech, language, and communication needs.
• Ability to deliver targeted interventions for pupils with SLCN.
• Commitment to promoting inclusion and celebrating diversity.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of interventions for pupils with SLCN.
• Work collaboratively with staff to embed communication-friendly approaches.
• Deliver small group and one-to-one sessions to enhance communication skills.

Skills

Support children's communication development

Team collaboration with teachers

Use of communication strategies

Education

Relevant qualifications in teaching or child development

Job description

What skills and experience we’re looking for

Pensans School are seeking to employ a dynamic, enthusiastic and skilled teaching assistant for this unique position. This is an exciting opportunity to introduce and develop a new role within our inclusive and forward‑thinking school community.

We are seeking a Teaching Assistant to work across the school to support children’s speech, language, and communication development — with a particular focus on pupils in EYFS and Key Stage 1, English as an Additional Language (EAL) and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).

You will work closely with class teachers, the SENCo, and external professionals to help create communication‑rich environments and ensure every child is supported to develop their communication skills and confidence.

Key responsibilities

• Support the delivery of targeted interventions for pupils with SLCN particularly in EYFS and KS1 and/or EAL (more prominently in KS2)
• Work collaboratively with staff to embed communication‑friendly approaches across the school.
• Deliver small group and one‑to‑one sessions to develop speech, language, and communication skills.
• Use and model strategies such as visual supports, Makaton, and other augmentative communication tools.
• Monitor and record pupil progress, sharing information with teachers, the SENDCo, and families.
• Liaise with external specialists, including speech and language therapists and also the refugee and outreach support team.
• Promote inclusion and celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity across the school.

About You

Pensans School are looking for a warm and positive person dedicated to enhancing the life chances of our children through delivering and supporting language and communication skills for pupils who need additional support in this area of learning. This may be a speech and language need or an EAL need. We are delighted to have welcomed a number of children into our school community from the Afghan Resettlement programme.

You will be calm and nurturing yet aspirational for pupil outcomes. We are looking for a dedicated and skilled practitioner to work alongside teaching colleagues to deliver high‑quality teaching and learning experiences for small groups and individuals, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

A successful candidate will be able to lead learning sessions and small group interventions under the guidance of teachers, SENDCO and some outside agencies.

Pensans School is driven to give opportunities to all children to allow them to be the best they can be. We are incredibly proud of our nurturing and inclusive school environment, and we welcome a new member to join our growing team. Please seek a personalised tour to see the school with your own eyes!

What the school offers its staff

Working for TPAT and Benefits

‘The Trust that Schools want to join’ Ofsted - 2019

We are an inclusive and progressive Trust and believe that all children and young people should have the best possible life chances. If you share this belief, we would love you to work with us.

We care about our staff and value their skills, contribution and expertise. Our commitment to growing great people means that we support staff in their own professional growth and development and empower them through support and career opportunities. Whether you choose to work in one of our schools, or are based in our central team, you will thrive in a stimulating, friendly and diverse environment that nurtures talent and celebrates success.

If you choose to work for us, you will receive:

• A competitive salary
• National terms and conditions of employment and access to either Teachers Pension or Local Government Pension Schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Eye voucher scheme
• Access to CPD and career pathways to further develop your career
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which provides employees with free confidential advice and support on a variety of personal, family or workplace issues hhtps://www.employeeassistance.org.uk/

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.