Teaching Assistant - Special Education Needs (SEN)

Barnehurst Infant School; Erith; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnehurst Infant School is looking for a caring Teaching Assistant to support pupils, including those with SEND, in a busy primary setting. You will work 1:1 and in small groups, help pupils stay engaged, read aloud, and prepare learning spaces and displays to showcase pupil work.

You will collaborate with teachers, support staff, and parents to foster a safe, inclusive, and encouraging environment, upholding safeguarding standards and building strong relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with pupils across the primary curriculum.
• Experience supporting pupils with SEND is advantageous.
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills and the ability to support learning activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and group support, helping pupils understand and complete tasks.
• Listen to children read, read to them, and bring stories to life.
• Prepare classrooms and learning spaces for activities, and create displays.
• Support pupils who struggle to engage with learning and manage behaviour calmly.
• Offer emotional support and keep staff informed of concerns.
• Collaborate with teachers and support staff to meet individual pupil needs.

Skills

1:1 support

Small group support

Literacy skills

Numeracy skills

Communication

Safeguarding awareness

Relationship building

Adaptability

Job description

About Us

The Federation of Barnehurst Schools brings together Barnehurst Infant School and Barnehurst Junior School in Northumberland Heath, Bexley, as part of The Primary First Trust (PFT). Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, our federation is a popular, close-knit part of the local community, admitting two forms of entry each year across our Reception and Year 3 intakes.

We’re proud of an ethos built around the “Power of Me” and “Power of We”, which helps every child grow into a confident, resilient and compassionate learner within a caring, inclusive and inspiring environment where they feel safe. That ambition is backed up by recognition, including the IQM Inclusive School Flagship Award, Music Mark School status, and Rights Respecting School accreditation.

Every child deserves the right support to thrive, and that’s where you come in.

About the Role

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.

What We’re Looking For

• 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.

Why Join Us

• 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.