SEN Classroom Assistant

SEN Classroom Assistant

Full-Time 21280 - 21613 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Derby City Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support students with Special Educational Needs in the classroom and contribute to school life.
  • Company: St Martin’s School, an outstanding special school dedicated to shaping successful futures.
  • Benefits: Generous holiday entitlement, pension scheme, health plan, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Join a supportive team in a dynamic environment focused on personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people with SEND and empower their learning journey.
  • Qualifications: Experience working with young people and a passion for supporting those with Special Educational Needs.

The predicted salary is between 21280 - 21613 £ per year.

Location: St Martin’s School

Hours: 37 hours a week, 38 term time weeks + 5 INSET Days (39 weeks total)

Contract type: Fixed term for 1 year to start ASAP

We are looking for a Classroom Assistant who shares our values and has the dedication and skills to support with the provision and resourcing of learning in the classroom as well as to contribute to other areas of school life for our young people with SEND. If you are passionate about supporting and empowering students with SEND, we would love to hear from you!

St Martins School and Horizons 6th Form is an 11-19 Special School in Derby, with a mixed student profile of children and young people with a range of learning difficulties and additional complex needs; including Autism, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, Social Emotional and Mental Health, as well as other Learning Disabilities and Difficulties.

At St Martins, our aim is to Shape Successful Futures for our students throughout their time in school – whether in the classroom or the playground, and we believe that all time spent in school is a valuable opportunity for personal development. We believe in developing our staff team to help them reach their potential, with opportunities for further development and progression available to all.

Candidates must:

  • Have experience of working with young people
  • Want to support students who have Special Educational Needs
  • Be inspired to work towards Shaping Successful Futures for all students

The hours of work for this post are: Monday and Thursday – 8:15am-4:00pm, Tuesday and Wednesday – 8:15am-4:45pm, Friday – 8:15am-2:45pm.

We encourage visits to the school prior to application. To arrange a visit, or if you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Victoria Theobald – victoria.theobald@stmartins.set.org. We look forward to meeting you.

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.

Shaw Education Trust are a thriving mix of diverse and growing schools including Primary, Secondary and Special Schools all working together to improve the lives of young people in our communities. We are sponsored by Shaw Trust, a charity organisation that focuses on transforming lives.

Our Special settings cater for children and young people with a wide range of Special Educational Needs from children with profound medical needs and life limiting conditions, those with severe, moderate and sensory needs through to young people with social emotional and mental health needs that require support and understanding to help them to navigate their world.

Whether you are a teacher, a teaching assistant, a healthcare professional or work in facilities, admin or operations, all our Special Schools offer you the opportunity to work within an establishment that has a ‘family’ feel that puts the children, young people and their families at the heart of what they do.

All the pupils within our Special Schools have an individualised education and are educated in small classes and groups with enhanced support to ensure that all their needs are met. There is nothing more rewarding than being part of a team that supports a child or young person with Special Educational Needs to reach their goals. You truly will make a difference to the life of a young person and their family.

Our schools span from Birmingham to Bury, meaning that we can support students from all walks of life, no matter their background or socioeconomic status. In doing this, we can help ensure all children are able to access a high standard of education, with all being treated equally.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

  • An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
  • Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
  • Electric Car Scheme: Environmentally friendly vehicles with our electric car scheme.
  • Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
  • Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
  • Free Eye Tests
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include all of the National Professional Qualifications – NPQH, NPQSL, NPQEYL, NPQLL, NPQLT, NPQLTD, NPQLBC are all delivered by the Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute. In addition, we provide access to the NPQEL for Executive Leaders.

St Martins is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is subject to appropriate vetting procedures including an online checks and criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) which will require you to disclose details of all unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions.

All shortlisted candidates will undergo an online search as part of Trust safer recruitment checks. We are an Equal Opportunities employer and will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.

The closing date for this vacancy is Friday 5 June 2026 at 09:00am. Any applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Interviews will be held Thursday 11 June 2026.

SEN Classroom Assistant employer: Derby City Council

At St Martin’s School, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to shaping successful futures for our students and staff alike. Our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering extensive development opportunities, a generous holiday entitlement, and a commitment to employee well-being through various health initiatives. Located in Derby, our 'Outstanding' rated school provides a rewarding environment where you can truly make a difference in the lives of young people with Special Educational Needs.

Derby City Council

Contact Details:

Derby City Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land SEN Classroom Assistant

Tip Number 1

Get to know the school! Before applying, take a tour of St Martin’s School. It’ll give you a feel for the environment and help you tailor your application to show how you fit in with their values.

Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current staff on LinkedIn or at local events. They can provide insider info about the role and might even put in a good word for you!

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to supporting students with SEND. Show us your passion and dedication to making a difference in their lives!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at St Martin’s.

We think you need these skills to ace SEN Classroom Assistant

Experience of working with young people
Support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEND)
Passion for empowering students
Understanding of learning difficulties and complex needs
Ability to contribute to school life
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare
Strong communication skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting students with SEND shine through. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to make a difference in their lives.

Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure your supporting statement is tailored specifically to the SEN Classroom Assistant role. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description, showing us why you're the perfect fit.

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon, so we can easily understand your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Derby City Council

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a SEN Classroom Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of students with SEND and think about how your experience aligns with supporting them. This will show your passion and commitment to shaping successful futures for these young people.

Showcase Your Experience

Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported young people, especially those with special educational needs. Be ready to discuss specific situations, what actions you took, and the positive outcomes that resulted. This will demonstrate your capability and dedication.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the school’s approach to supporting students with SEND or the professional development opportunities available. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the school is the right fit for you.

Be Yourself

While it’s important to be professional, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. The school is looking for someone who shares their values and can connect with students. Being authentic will help you build rapport with the interviewers and give them a sense of who you are as a person.