Teaching Assistant

Victoria Road Primary; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Victoria Road Primary School in Plymouth is seeking two Teaching Assistants to join a friendly, supportive team. You will work across KS1 and KS2, with focus on pupils with SEND and SEMH, and contribute to our nurture provision.

You will support learning, run small groups, deliver interventions like Read Write Inc., and help children build confidence, emotional literacy and resilience. The role also involves lunchtime supervision and first aid.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification in childcare or education.
• GCSE English and Maths at grade C or equivalent.
• Recent experience in a primary school across KS1/KS2.
• Experience supporting children with SEND and SEMH needs.
• Ability to build positive relationships and promote wellbeing.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and awareness of pastoral needs.

Responsibilities

• Support learning within classes across KS1 and KS2.
• Provide 1:1 and small-group support for children with SEND.
• Deliver targeted interventions including Read Write Inc. groups.
• Support SEMH needs through a nurturing, relational approach.
• Help children develop independence, confidence and resilience.
• Support nurture provision with targeted interventions and evidence-based approaches such as precision teaching and Lego Therapy.
• Monitor progress and provide feedback under teacher guidance.
• Promote positive behaviour, inclusion and strong relationships.
• Collaborate with teachers, the SENCo, senior leaders, families and external professionals.
• Support pupils during lunchtime and participate in play.
• Undertake first aid responsibilities as part of the role.

Skills

KS1/KS2 support

SEND support

SEMH awareness

Read Write Inc. groups

Lego Therapy

First aid

Behaviour management

Communication & teamwork

Initiative

Education

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

GCSE English & Maths (C or equivalent)

Primary school experience across KS1/KS2

Experience supporting SEND & SEMH

Tools

TEACCH

PECS

Job description

Are you a caring, enthusiastic and skilled Teaching Assistant who is passionate about helping every child to thrive?

Victoria Road Primary School are looking for two dedicated Teaching Assistant to join our friendly and supportive team. This is a varied and rewarding role supporting children across Key Stages 1 and 2, with a particular focus on pupils with SEND and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Part of your week will also involve working within our small-group nurture provision.

At Victoria Road, we believe every child should feel that they belong, should enjoy their learning, be encouraged to aim high, and learn to respect others. We provide a nurturing environment where children feel valued, safe and confident to achieve, and our staff play a vital part in making that happen.

About the role

Working alongside teachers, the SENCo and wider school team, you will help create an inclusive and engaging learning environment where all pupils can succeed.

Your role will include:

• supporting learning within classes across KS1 and KS2
• providing 1:1 and small-group support for children with SEND
• delivering targeted interventions, including supporting Read Write Inc. groups where required
• supporting pupils with SEMH needs through a relational, nurturing approach
• helping children to develop independence, confidence, emotional literacy and resilience
• supporting the school's nurture provision, including targeted interventions and evidence-based approaches such as precision teaching and Lego Therapy
• monitoring children's progress and providing effective feedback under the guidance of the teacher
• promoting positive behaviour, inclusion and strong relationships
• working collaboratively with teachers, the SENCo, senior leaders, families and external professionals
• supporting pupils during lunchtime and taking an active role in play
• undertaking first aid responsibilities as part of the role.

About you

We are looking for someone who genuinely wants to make a difference to children's lives. You will be positive, patient and adaptable, with the emotional intelligence to understand and respond to individual children's needs.

You will have:

• an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent relevant qualification
• a minimum of GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English and Maths
• recent experience of working within a primary school and across KS1 and/or KS2
• experience and a genuine passion for supporting children with SEND
• experience of working with children with SEMH needs
• the ability to build positive relationships and encourage appropriate behaviour
• a good understanding of safeguarding and children's pastoral needs
• strong communication and teamwork skills
• a positive, enthusiastic approach and the ability to use your initiative.

Experience of running interventions, using TEACCH or PECS approaches, and an awareness of trauma-informed strategies would be advantageous.

About the Trust

The Learning Academies Trust is a family of 18 schools across Plymouth and surrounding areas, dedicated to delivering outstanding education to all our children, whatever their starting point or background. Our Trust’s mission is:

Together we will… work with our children, families, and communities to provide exceptional learning opportunities for all our children

As part of the trust, we will support you to learn and develop, providing outstanding CPD and opportunities for collaboration between schools within the trust sharing resources, expertise and knowledge.

Further information about the position, the trust and the benefits we offer can be found in the attached recruitment pack.

With 18 individual primary schools, the Learning Academies Trust is the largest primary school trust in Plymouth and the first education employer in Plymouth to achieve the Livewell Southwest Wellbeing at Work Bronze Award. The Trust is committed to supporting the wellbeing of all staff and is proud to work closely with official bodies to ensure we have a holistic approach to staff wellbeing.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out; references will be sought for all shortlisted candidates and all shortlisted candidates will be requested to complete a questionnaire about any convictions or adult cautions that are unspent. Guidance will be given to those shortlisted. Appointment is subject to an Enhanced DBS.

Together we will provide exceptional learning opportunities for all our children.