Teaching Assistant - Special Education Needs (SEN)

THE PRIMARY FIRST TRUST; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

The Primary First Trust Limited is seeking a caring Teaching Assistant to support pupils, especially in vulnerable groups, across the primary curriculum. You will work with teachers and support staff to help pupils stay focused, understand tasks and grow into confident, independent learners.

Responsibilities include 1:1 and small-group support, reading sessions, preparing learning spaces and promoting emotional and social development, with safeguarding at the core of the role.

Qualifications

• Good literacy and numeracy skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build relationships with children and carers.
• Flexible approach to meet individual needs of children.
• Trustworthy, energetic, well-organised and self-motivated with professionalism.
• Commitment to safeguarding and inclusion.
• Willingness to develop own practice.
• Experience with primary curriculum is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and group support to pupils as directed by the teacher.
• Identify pupils needing additional support and liaise with staff to meet needs.
• Listen to children read, read aloud to them, and bring stories to life.
• Prepare classrooms and learning spaces and create displays of work.
• Support pupils in staying engaged and encourage positive behaviour.
• Offer emotional support to pupils and communicate concerns to colleagues.

Skills

Literacy skills

Numeracy skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Confidentiality

Safeguarding

Professionalism

Education

Experience with primary pupils

Job description

We re looking for a caring, enthusiastic and well-organised Teaching Assistant to join our team. Working alongside our teachers and support staff, you ll help pupils in vulnerable groups, particularly those with special educational needs, to stay focused and engaged, understand what s being asked of them, and grow into confident, independent learners.

This is a varied, rewarding role covering 1:1 and small-group support, reading and storytelling, preparing learning spaces and resources, and supporting pupils emotional and social development, so no two days are quite the same.

Day to day, you ll:

• Provide 1:1 and group support, helping pupils understand and complete the tasks and activities set by the teacher.
• Help identify pupils who need additional support, including those with SEND, and work with staff to meet their needs.
• Listen to children read, read to them, and bring stories to life.
• Prepare classrooms and learning spaces for activities and create displays and exhibitions of children s work.
• Support pupils who find it difficult to engage with learning, encouraging positive behaviour and responding calmly to challenging behaviour.
• Offer emotional support to help pupils develop socially and emotionally, and keep colleagues informed of any concerns.
• Be part of an Outstanding-rated school and a supportive, values-led Trust that invests in its people.
• An ambitious leadership team committed to staff professional learning and development.
• Dedicated, professional and determined colleagues, and happy, motivated children who are keen to learn.
• A strong commitment to staff wellbeing, with excellent resources and vibrant teaching spaces.
• Local Government Pension Scheme membership.
• Access to wellbeing services, including GP, nurse, counselling and physiotherapy support.

We warmly welcome visits to the school. Please contact the school office to arrange one. Visits do not form part of the recruitment process.

Safeguarding Statement

Safer Recruitment, Inclusive and Diversity

The Primary First Trust is committed to safeguarding and the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff members and volunteers to share this commitment.

The Trust will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Clearance, health clearance, social media checks, a probationary period and satisfactory references.

The Trust strives to be an inclusive and diverse organisation where everyone feels able to be themselves and to experience a strong sense of belonging.

The Trust wholeheartedly supports the principle of equality and diversity in employment. It opposes all forms of unfair or unlawful discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sex. We encourage and support the recruitment, retention, and career development of people from ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds from as wide a range as possible, and we seek to develop a community of staff that accurately represents society as a whole.

All applications for employment with the Trust will be considered against the criteria outlined in the person specification for the position advertised.

Requirements

• A genuine passion for helping every child do their best, and for making learning irresistible.
• Good literacy and numeracy skills.
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to build strong, appropriate relationships with children and parents/carers.
• The flexibility to adapt your approach to meet children s individual needs.
• Someone trustworthy, energetic, well-organised and self-motivated, with a high level of professionalism and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• A commitment to developing your own practice.
• A genuine commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Experience of working with children across the primary curriculum, including those with social, emotional and mental health needs, would be an advantage, but if you have relevant experience and a commitment to improving your practice, we d love to hear from you.