Specialist Teaching and Learning Assistant (Positive Support Worker)

Swanwick School & Sports College is an ‘Outstanding’ school providing an exciting and relevant education for young people with additional needs including Moderate and Severe Learning needs, social and emotional difficulties and ASD. Pupil ability ranges from pre key stage standards to working within the Primary Curriculum objectives. We also offer a variety of qualifications including GCSE where appropriate.

The Governors of Swanwick School & Sports College are looking to recruit a motivated and ambitious candidate to continue to drive forward the Positive Support provision across the school. The successful applicant should have experience of implementing individual pupil support programmes, establishing effective working relationships with parents & carers and a proven track record of helping young people with complex needs make significant progress. It is also highly desirable that any applicant has a Positive Play/Support qualification or is prepared to work towards achieving such a qualification.

The successful applicant will be answerable to the Governing Body, Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Positive Support Lead. The immediate line manager will be the Positive Support Lead. As an integral part of the extended Pastoral Team, the successful candidate will work closely alongside the Positive Support Lead, Headteacher, Family Liaison Worker and Early Help Support Worker. We expect the successful candidate to work with the SLT to determine training needs on a personal level, individual level and whole school level.

This role is vital in providing tailored support for pupils with a range of additional needs, helping them to feel safe, understood and ready to learn. The post holder will demonstrate essential professional characteristics, and in particular will:

• Have experience working with children with complex SEND, including communication and sensory needs
• Engage and motivate pupils
• Be confident or prepared to learn Makaton
• Provide sensitive and respectful personal and intimate care, following individual care plans
• Build trusting relationships that support emotional regulation and wellbeing
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and families to create a consistent and caring environment
• Promote positive behaviour and a safe inclusive ethos
• Improve the quality of pupils’ learning
• Inspire trust and confidence in pupils and colleagues
• Build team commitment with colleagues
• Demonstrate empathy with and an appreciation of the needs of pupils
• Provide additional support with activities at break and lunch times
• Be committed to making a real difference to the lives of young people with special educational needs and their families/carers
• Be able to offer skills and experience to add to our curriculum
• Able to work across Key Stages 1, 2, 3 or 4 as required
• Able to demonstrate strong literacy and numeracy skills
• Able to assist pupils in managing personal care

We offer:

• A warm, nurturing school community where every child is valued
• The opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children who need it most
• A shared moral commitment to secure the best outcomes for all pupils
• An opportunity to work with talented and committed staff
• Access to the School Advisory Service
• Support from a forward-thinking Senior Leadership Team
• Professional Development with extensive CPD opportunities

Having maintained our Outstanding rating given by Ofsted, we need applicants who are able to add to our provision and demonstrate and support our school vision of Enjoy, Achieve, Exceed. Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. Please contact the school office on 01773 602198 to arrange an appointment.

Provisional Interview Date: Friday 6 March 2026.