SEN Education and Pastoral Assistant in Norwich

As part of The Wensum Trust, we believe that our shared duty is to help every child to develop into high‑achieving, confident, healthy, caring and resilient members of their family and community. We want our schools to be healthy environments where both children and staff can develop and where strong, positive relationships are key. Our schools, therefore, practise a relational approach with children, our families and our communities.

We are particularly interested in working with people who share Our Qualities; who will work effectively and flexibly as part of a team. Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young children with special educational needs? We are looking for caring, resilient, and highly motivated SEN Educational Pastoral Assistants to join our small, nurturing EYFS and Key Stage 1 high‑needs provision, based within our inclusive mainstream primary school at Arden Grove Infant and Nursery School.

The Role: We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and passionate person to work as part of our team, supporting children with complex needs in a mainstream classroom. You will work alongside the class team, SENDCo, and wider school team. The person will be skilled at taking a lead from the child / children to engage them in learning through the curriculum based on their interests. A good understanding of child development and a play‑based approach is essential. You will need to have an understanding of working with children with different or more complex needs. This role is fixed term until 31st August 2027 for 32.5 hours per week Term time + 1. Job shares will be considered. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dedicated, specialist environment that provides tailored, child‑centred learning in a calm, structured setting.

What We Offer:

• A warm, collaborative team culture
• Specialist training in ASD strategies and communication tools
• Opportunities for career development within SEN education

Desired Attributes:

• Builds positive relationships with our children (aged 3‑7) and colleagues.
• Shows initiative and enthusiasm and is always kind and caring, supporting the child to settle into school life.
• Is curious about children's behaviour and is keen to develop strategies to support children's behaviour.
• Is empathetic towards children and families, understanding behaviour as communication and the effect of trauma and SEMH on children.
• Is an excellent team member and has a passion to ensure children stay safe and engaged.
• Is supportive, playful and passionate about working with children.
• Has an understanding of how to support children with different and complex needs.

Being a part of The Wensum Trust’s family of schools offers employees unique experiences to work alongside our strategic partners and to collaborate with a wider network of staff. We believe in investing in employees as individuals, by providing training opportunities that help to develop both existing and new skill sets, to encourage career progression at all levels. We value our staff and are committed to supporting their wellbeing. We have an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which all staff can access 24 hours a day. The EAP provides counselling services, legal information and guidance, musculoskeletal services and online resources such as nutrition diaries, healthy eating plans, personal coaching questionnaires and tools and fitness programmes.

We care about bringing together the most able people, to help us achieve our vision of providing a rounded education for children, quality support for their families and opportunities to enrich our communities.

For further information on this vacancy, please contact Joshua Cook at jcook2jry@nsix.org.uk

Safer Recruitment: The Wensum Trust is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people, we expect all trustees, staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Wensum Trust is exempt from the Rehabilitations of Offenders Act 1974 and all convictions, cautions and bind‑overs, including those regarded as 'spent' must be declared. All successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced Criminal Record Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service, along with other relevant employment checks, including overseas criminal background checks.