Teaching Assistant - Special Education Needs (SEN)

The Primary First Trust Limited; Erith; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Wellbeing services

Job summary

The Primary First Trust Limited in Erith is seeking a Teaching Assistant to support pupils with special educational needs, providing 1:1 and small-group help, reading support, and classroom preparation. You will help pupils stay focused, build confidence, and grow into independent learners in a caring, structured environment.

The role covers reading support, resource preparation, and emotional development support, with safeguarding at the core.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting 1:1 and small groups in a school setting.
• Experience with pupils with special educational needs (SEN) is advantageous.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and group support to help pupils understand and complete tasks.
• Identify pupils needing additional support and collaborate with staff.
• Listen to reading, read aloud, and bring stories to life.
• Prepare classrooms and create displays of children's work.
• Support pupils' emotional and social development and manage behaviour.
• Support safeguarding and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Communication skills

Patience

Organisation

Empathy

Job description

Teaching Assistant - Special Education Needs (SEN)

Location: Erith, Kent, DA8 3NL

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Contract Term: Full-Time

Salary: £20,124.00 Annually (Actual) - Working 39 weeks per year. Paid for 44.45 weeks (FTE Salary: £29,111)

Hours Per Week: 30

Weeks Per Year: 39

Fixed Term End Date: Thu 22nd Jul, 2027

Closing Date: 7:00pm, Fri 6th Nov, 2026

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.

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.