We are looking for an experienced SEN 1-2-1 Teaching Assistant for a named child for our school. This is a part-time position.
The working hours are up to 32.5 hours per week, working Monday to Friday 8.15am to 3.30pm and 38 weeks, term time only, plus 1 training day in September.
The successful candidate will have experience of working with children who need support with their SEMH development and regulating their behaviour. They will be able to work effectively as a member of the team, have excellent interpersonal skills and consistently support the school values and approaches to a high standard.
About us
Located on the Eastern district of Northampton, Blackthorn is a one-form entry primary school with a nursery and special unit provision. Our school is driven by a passion to provide educational excellence for the children in our community.
We have been award 'Good' from Ofsted inspection in September 2022.
The children at Blackthorn are polite, respectful and keen to learn. Our team of dedicated staff believe that children achieve their best in a safe, secure and happy school community and we work hard to make sure this is the case for our learners every day. We strongly believe that good relationships between people in our school community are essential in securing success for your child, as such, an effective partnership between home and school will benefit your child’s learning. We are proud to be a member of Northampton Primary Academy Trust (NPAT) with whom we work closely to provide opportunities for our children to broaden and enrich their time at primary school through the arts, sport and wider curriculum.
The ideal candidate will embody the NPAT values and will:
- Be passionate about supporting children to achieve their best in everything that they do.
- Be committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Establish positive and supportive relationships with children.
- Be patient, calm and resilient with a positive attitude and a sense of humour.
Our work environment includes:
- Modern office setting
- Flexible working hours
- On-the-job training
- Safe work environment
- Nursery provision from 3 years old, between 8.30am and 3.30pm, term time only
Areas of Responsibility and Key Tasks
Purpose of job:
- To support children’s learning and to share in the care and wellbeing of the children throughout the school.
- To support individual and small groups of children in the curriculum to accelerate their learning.
- To support the emotional, behavioural and pastoral needs of all pupils, including children with SEN.
- To carry out specific administrative/ procedural tasks to support the class teacher.
- To be involved in the planning, development and delivery of intervention strategies.
- To observe and monitor pupils progress and adapt agreed approaches to their particular needs.
- To provide support and assistance for children’s pastoral needs (e.g. dressing, going to the toilet, the changing of nappies or the administration of an Epipen)
- To assist in the maintenance of children’s records.
- To promote the school’s values and ethos.
To undertake all of the following:
- Work proactively as part of a team and assist the class teacher to ensure quality education for the children.
- Through organising, running and evaluating interventions with the guidance of the unit lead/class teacher and Inclusion Lead
- Assist in the personal, social and emotional development of children through the promotion of the school’s values and for individuals through the implementation of learning plans, behaviour plans and/or personal care plans to ensure all children are well cared for in accordance with the school’s policies and high expectations.
- Be aware of and support school policies and procedures.
- Liaise and plan with the teacher to support pupils in their learning.
- Work with individuals/small groups of children by planning and carrying out relevant interventions that accelerate and raise the level of achievement for all pupils involved in all areas of the curriculum, under the guidance of the Class Teacher.
- Under the guidance of the Inclusion Lead and class teacher, run interventions as set out by professional or specialist support staff involved in the children’s education. These may involve social workers, health visitors, language support staff, speech therapists, educational psychologists and physiotherapists.
- Build and maintain positive and constructive working relationships with pupils, parents, carers and colleagues to maximise pupils’ development and maintain the overall ethos of the school.
- Report any concerns regarding children’s welfare or education, to the Class Teacher.
- Be aware of safeguarding responsibilities, referring such matters to the appropriate designated person for further action.
- Monitor, feedback, record and report on pupil progress, including feedback to pupils, and participate in the completion of pupil profiles and records of attainment to maximise pupil development.
- Under the direction of the teacher, liaise with parents as appropriate, maintaining sensitivity and confidentiality at all times.
- Promote positive behaviour management throughout the school at all times, following school procedures. When directed escort and supervise pupils on planned visits/journeys.
- Assist with the preparation of resources e.g. photocopying, repairing books, filing of work, making games and the creation and mounting of displays for children’s work.
- Assist and attend with seasonal events e.g. parents’ evenings, concerts and festivals
- Attend appropriate staff meetings and training days/events as requested.
Level 2 Teaching Assistant SEN - Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good basic education to GCSE level in maths and English or equivalent.
- Experience of working with children who have a wide variety of educational needs.
- A willingness to undertake further training relevant to the role.
Desirable
- Level 2 or 3 teaching assistant qualification
- Training undertaken on a variety of learning and behaviour-management strategies. Experience of working with children with significant language and communication difficulties. Certificate or Diploma in Childcare and Education.
- First Aid training
- RWI trained, delivered or supported the delivery of RWI
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
Awareness of
- how children develop; behaviour-management strategies;
- how to support children in literacy and numeracy;
- the different ways in which children learn and how to motivate them.
- Knowledge and experience of filling in intervention records for activities.
Desirable
- Experience of observing children to assess their learning.
- Experience of working with children with SEND either as a class teacher or as a one-to-one TA.
Skills
Essential
Able to
- Communicate effectively.
- Contribute to a range of teaching, learning and pastoral activities.
- Work with an individual or group of children, also work as a member of a team.
- Explain tasks simply and clearly.
- Reinforce teaching points during teacher input;
- Support new concepts as agreed with the class teacher.
- Supervise children and be a positive role model.
- Encourage good social skills. Work with guidance, but under limited supervision.
- Liaise and communicate effectively with others and maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Demonstrate good organisational skills.
- Get involved in professional development and attend courses; Display work effectively and make and maintain basic teaching resources.
Essential
- Able to use Office 365.
- Up-to-date Team Teach training– Training and experience of Team Teach philosophy for de-escalation and how to support children.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills;
- Proactive in areas of responsibility with an awareness of whole school issues;
- A willingness to take on appropriate delegated tasks relevant to the post;
- Demonstration of a growth mindset;
- Ability to show a committed, professional and loyal attitude to the school, openly modelling its aims and values;
- An ability to use and understand discretion, confidentiality and professionalism;
- An ability to learn from mistakes and take advice.
This job description is a broad overview of the post. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties, and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently, this is not a contractual document and the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job.
Closing date: 12 noon Monday, 22 June 2026.
Interview date: Tuesday 23 June 2026.
Start Date: 1 September 2026.
Visits to the school:
We warmly welcome and encourage visits to the school where there will be the opportunity to discuss the role further with the Executive Headteacher or Head of School.
Please contact Sam Chambers, Office Manager via the school office to book a visit.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £25,185.00-£25,583.00 per year
Benefits:
- Childcare
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Experience:
- working with children: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Team Teach Certificate (preferred)
- First Aid Certification (preferred)
Work Location: In person
