Special Needs Assistant

30 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8.45am – 3.15pm. Term time only (38 weeks). Grade B – Step 1 - Actual Annual Salary £16,857.16 (Which is a Full Time Equivalent Salary £24,796). This appointment will be a 1:1 role supporting a child with additional needs and is of a temporary nature due to the identified budget provision to provide SEND support in the school to individual children. The contract is likely to last for at least one academic year and could potentially be extended.

As part of our commitment to staff wellbeing RAISE Education Trust is trialling a two week half term break 19^th to 30^th October 2026. Following this trial, should the Trust revert back to a one-week October half term break from 2027 the contractual working weeks would increase to 39 weeks and the salary would increase accordingly.

The successful candidate will:

• Have a child-centred approach.
• Be able to create structure for children with SEND needs.
• Be able to support children using non-verbal communication strategies.
• Have the ability to work in a more specialised provision within the school.
• Have the ability to work under pressure and to a fixed timetable.
• Have experience of working with children with social/communication difficulties on a 1:1 basis.
• Have the ability to keep pupils motivated and engaged.
• Have a calm but firm approach.
• Be able to adapt and think on your feet.
• Be flexible and willing to learn.
• Be able to attune to a child’s emotional needs.
• Be able to work as part of a team, learning with and from other colleagues.
• Be able to work independently and on your own initiative.
• Have excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrate excellent behaviour management skills.
• Understand confidentiality and safeguarding procedures.

Previous experience of working with children with Special Educational Needs is desirable.  We would welcome applications from recent graduates who are interested in pursuing a future career in teaching as well as those who have an interest in supporting and working with children with special needs.  If you would like to visit the school, please contact the school office on 01489 737970 to arrange a tour.

The key features of our vision are:

• Children are at the heart of what we do;
• We provide ambitious, high-quality education for all, with high expectations of success for all in every aspect of school life.
• A safe, secure, inclusive environment where all pupils are supported and challenged to achieve their full potential.
• An exciting curriculum with a focus on preparing children to understand the world around them and to make a difference.
• Encouraging pupils to have creative and enquiring minds as confident, resilient and happy learners with good mental and physical health.
• Developing genuine partnerships with parents and all members of the school community to enable all to achieve their full potential.
• Developing a life-long love of learning that extends beyond the curriculum and into the world that we live in.

Benefits of working for our trust include:

• Friendly and sociable colleagues.
• Staff membership rates to our modern Leisure Centre at Wildern School.
• RAISE a Hand day: One day per academic year — a fully paid day off to support personal events.
• Two-week October half term: Providing staff and students with an extended break during the autumn term.
• Enrolment in one of the UK’s Largest public sector pension schemes.
• A tax efficient Cycle-to-Work scheme through salary sacrifice.

If you currently work in a school, please ensure one of your references is from your current Headteacher.

Please submit your application as soon as possible as we may invite candidates to interview before the closing date.  Closing Date: Midday, Thursday 9th July 2026.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date if we receive applications that meet the criteria. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

RAISE Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) along with other relevant employment checks.