Purpose of the role: To work as part of the Prep school team, under the guidance of the SENCo, supporting the learning and pastoral care of a Neurodivergent child who is experiencing significant school based anxiety. You will be working in close liaison with the school’s pastoral team, the family and other professionals to support the child’s return to education and then, as their ‘attuned adult’ across the school day. Job share could be considered.
Pastoral support
- Through careful planning and consideration of the school environment, create a sense of safety and belonging for an individual child.
- Help develop the child’s understanding of how they are experiencing school and work alongside them to develop skills to manage feelings of anxiety or sensory overwhelm.
- Work to support the child to increase their attendance of school over time.
- Support the child to start to develop friendships with their peers.
- Provide flexible, responsive support in response to the child’s emotional state.
Teaching support:
- Support the child so that they’re able to be included within all aspects of school, with direction and/or guidance from Director of Pupil Welfare, SENCo, LED, teachers, specialists or parents, as appropriate;
- Ensure that access to the curriculum is achieved through a thorough understanding of the child’s learning, communication, social and emotional needs
- Support the attainment of educational targets and progression;
- In liaison with subject teachers, work with the child on an individual basis to re-visit or pre-teach curriculum content.
- In liaison with class teachers, work with the child to address any gaps in learning.
- Help develop greater skills for independence in learning across the wider curriculum;
- Communicate with the Class and Subject Teachers as appropriate throughout the day to ensure a ‘team’ approach to care.
Classroom support:
- Work with class teachers to ensure that lessons and teaching resources are adapted to take account of the child’s learning profile and individual needs.
- Endeavour to ensure the children in the class are unaware of the individualised nature of the support;
- Assist the child in managing the day as independently as possible as they move around the school.
Supervision of pupils:
- Assist with classroom supervision in accordance with the school’s policies;
- Adhere to the school’s behaviour policy, liaising with the Pastoral team around any behaviour concerns relating to the individual child, or any other child.
- If required, help supervise pupils within the child’s cohort in the playground;
- If required, assist with lunch duties and monitor/guide behaviour and social interaction at lunchtime;
- Join other staff and groups of pupils on agreed off-site activities and educational visits involving the individual child;
- Support and assist the individual child in learning how to manage any social, emotional or physical challenges they may face;
Training:
- Attend inset training and other whole-school training on educational matters, child protection and safeguarding or other subjects as prescribed by the school;
- Attend whole-school staff meetings as requested by the Senior Leadership Team;
- Participate in any arrangements for appraisal of your performance
- Maintain your own safeguarding training and other training relevant to your role, via the TES website and/or INSET.
General:
- Undertake other such duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may reasonably be required by the Director of Pupil Welfare or Class teacher
- Attend school before term starts and after term finishes, making necessary preparations as required and to attend relevant and whole-school INSET.
Whole-School Safeguarding Responsibilities include:
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of all children;
- Foster a culture of openness, safety, equality and protection;
- Provide a safe and welcoming environment where both children and adults feel secure, able to talk and believe that they are being listened to;
- Play a key role in the prevention of harm and an equal responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure that may indicate a child is at risk of harm;
- When concerned about the welfare of a pupil, act in the best interests of the pupil.
Personal Qualities, Qualifications and Experience:
Required:
- A minimum of Maths and English at GCSE grade C (now 4-5) or equivalent
- Experience of working with children (in any setting)
- Adaptable and flexible
- Have a caring and positive nature
- Prompt and reliable
- Be creative, energetic and supportive
- Calm under pressure
- Effective listening skills
- Ability to encourage, reassure and nurture;
- A calm, courteous and approachable manner;
- Ability to help make school life enjoyable and satisfying;
- Integrity, honesty and a professional manner;
- Ability to empathise with the ethos of the School;
- Excellent collaboration skills, flexibility, good humour and empathy;
- Commitment to participating fully in the life of a busy and sociable School.
Desirable:
- Have experience of working with neurodivergent children, young people or adults (specialist training along with ongoing support and advice will be provided)
- Experience of using ICT in communications, assessment and planning;
All staff have a key role to play in identifying concerns early and in providing help for children and are expected to act in accordance with the School’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policies.
Terms & conditions
All Teaching Assistants are expected to work in general from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday during term time, and to be available for one or two days before and after each term, as requested. The working hours and days of the Individual Needs Assistant will be arranged and agreed between the post-holder and the Director of Pupil Welfare in response to the needs of the child, and will be defined in an Offer or Annual Salary letter. This role could be considered as a job share.
Holidays, Remuneration and Benefits
· Cumnor is in a position to offer an outstanding remuneration package, in line with experience and qualifications, and this will be discussed at interview.
· Substantial remission on fees for Staff children attending the School or Nursery
· Generous contributory pension scheme
· Free on-site parking
· Complimentary dining and refreshments available all day during term time
· Free use of swimming pool at specified times
· Occupational sick pay scheme
· Employee Assistance Programme
Application Process and Safeguarding
To apply, please complete our application form (which can be found on our website) and submit it with a covering letter to [email protected] by 14th August 2026. We reserve the right to offer the role prior to deadline should the right candidate present.
We reserve the right to make an appointment at any time prior to the closing date. If you would like to make enquiries, please call Karen German on 01825 790347.
Cumnor House Sussex is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. An offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure, satisfactory safeguarding interview and pre-employment references, verification of ID, medical fitness and relevant qualifications, and other security checks including Overseas and Teachers Barred lists.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
