At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a child with SEMH needs in their early education journey.
- Company: Welcoming primary school in Ashington with a supportive staff team.
- Benefits: Mentorship, professional development, and a vibrant school community.
- Other info: Full-time role from September 2026 to July 2027, term time only.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a child's life while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEND preferred, but empathy and a positive attitude are key.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 27000 £ per year.
Location: Ashington, Northumberland
Contract: Full-time, temporary (Academic Year 2026/27)
Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday to Friday (Term time only)
Start Date: September 2026
Are you a compassionate, patient, and resilient individual looking to make a genuine difference in a child’s early education? Our welcoming primary school in Ashington is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to provide 1:1 support for a wonderful pupil entering our Early Years (EYFS) setting this September. This pupil has Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and requires a consistent, supportive adult to help them navigate their school day, manage big emotions, and safely access their learning through play. This is a full-time role commencing at the start of the academic year in September 2026, and is highly likely to run through to July 2027.
Key Responsibilities- Provide dedicated 1:1 support to an EYFS pupil with SEMH needs, helping them build confidence and settle into school life.
- Implement tailored emotional support strategies, helping the pupil recognize, express, and self-regulate their feelings.
- Work closely with the class teacher and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) to deliver targeted intervention plans.
- Foster an inclusive, safe, and stimulating environment where the pupil can learn through play and structured activities.
- Build a positive, trusting relationship with the pupil, their family, and external support teams.
- Experience: Ideally, you will have specific experience supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), particularly SEMH. However, we are very keen to hear from anyone with a strong background in general school support or early years environments who possesses the right attitude and empathy.
- Approach: A calm, patient, and nurturing demeanour. You should be resilient, adaptable, and able to remain grounded during challenging moments.
- Skills: A good understanding of how young children develop and the ability to use creative, play-based methods to keep a child engaged.
- Reliability: Consistency is vital for this pupil, so we need someone committed to the full standard school hours (8:30am – 3:30pm) for the entire academic year.
- A warm, inclusive, and deeply supportive staff team.
- Dedicated guidance and mentorship from our experienced SENCo and EYFS Lead.
- Opportunities for ongoing professional development and specialized SEMH training.
- A vibrant school community right in the heart of Ashington.
Safeguarding Note: Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and provide satisfactory references.
