Teaching Assistant (SEND)

Gidea Park Primary School; Havering-Atte-Bower; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Gidea Park Primary School is seeking a caring teaching assistant to join a supportive team in Havering. The role includes 1:1 or 2:1 support for pupils with SEND, including non-verbal children, within term-time hours. We value inclusive practice and a collaborative approach to learning across the primary age range.

Start ASAP for a temporary 1-year contract with the possibility of becoming permanent. The post requires safeguarding checks and a commitment to professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience with SEND needs and 1:1/2:1 support.
• NVQ2 or equivalent qualification.
• Ability to work with children aged 4–11.
• Experience in a primary school setting preferred.
• Confident in teamwork and inclusive practice.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a team to support children with specific needs.
• Provide 1:1 or 2:1 support where required.
• Assist with intimate care when needed.
• Help raise and sustain high standards in teaching assistants.
• Maintain excellent interpersonal communication with pupils, staff and parents.

Skills

SEND support

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Intimate care

Inclusive practice

Communication

Education

NVQ2 or equivalent

Tools

Read Write Inc

Job description

32.5 hours per week, term time only (includes lunchtime supervision)

Grade: 3 Points 5 - 9

Contract: Temporary for 1 year, with the possibility of becoming permanent

Start Date: ASAP

Gidea Park is a friendly, successful primary school in need of a caring and committed teaching assistant to join our supportive team. In this role, you may be required to provide 1:1 or 2:1 support for pupils who have a range of SEND needs including non-verbal children. The senior management team offer a fully supportive system ensuring the high behaviour expectations are met.

You may also be asked to work alongside individual children and groups in class. Some experience of the Read Write Inc scheme would be advantageous but not essential. Our successful candidate should be confident in working with children across the primary age range [4-11yrs].

You will:

• be confident in your ability to work as part of a team to support children with specific needs
• have a strong belief that inclusive practice is key
• be willing to provide intimate care if needed
• be a dedicated teaching assistant who is able to raise and sustain high standards
• have excellent interpersonal skills with pupils, staff and parents
• be able to enthuse and inspire children
• contribute to a dynamic and hardworking team and work under your own initiative
• be versatile and flexible with a commitment to continuous professional development
• have experience of comparable work in a similar setting and hold at least NVQ2 or equivalent

We can offer you:

• a strong community ethos with staff who are friendly and work closely as a team
• a strong commitment to supporting continuous professional development
• a leadership team that values dedicated staff and supports your well-being
• staff who are recognised for their enthusiastic and rigorous approach to teaching and learning
• well-behaved children who thrive in a creative and challenging atmosphere
• parents and carers who are supportive and ambitious for their children

Visiting the school prior to applying is welcomed and encouraged. Please call the Mrs Madden on 01708 743801 if you would like to arrange a visit.

Gidea Park Primary is committed to safeguarding our pupils and staff. This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosures Procedure.

Please either telephone the school office or email if you have any further queries.

Closing date for applications: 9am Friday 6th November 2026.

Early applications are both welcomed and advised. Please be aware we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Safeguarding

Havering Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The protection of our pupils from abuse is the responsibility of all staff within our schools, superseding any other considerations. Therefore Havering Schools comply with the Department for Education ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance.

It is an offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. Please be advised that, again in line with ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, shortlisted candidates (who wish to accept an invite to interview) will be required to submit, prior to their interview, a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Upon submission of this information, online checks may be carried out.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; the successful applicant will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from obtaining a position with the School.

Equal Opportunities

Havering Schools aim to promote and ensure equality of opportunity and equal treatment for all. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment regardless of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origins, disabilities, age, sexual orientation, responsibility for dependants, religious or political affiliation and trade union activities. All matters related to employment are decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.