SEND Support Assistant

Location: London

Salary: £24,145.03 (actual) equating to a full-time equivalent of £32,240 per annum

Working Hours: Work hours are appropriate to the designated pupil, usually 8.00 until 16:00, Monday to Friday (term-time only)

Contract: Full-time, term-time only. Fixed-term contract until July 2028

Benefits of working at Westminster School include:

• Free access to the School’s leisure facilities, including a fitness gym (restricted hours)
• Cycle to Work Scheme and season ticket loans following completion of our standard probation period
• Private medical insurance (opt in)
• Free school meals are also available when on-site during working hours for the role

We are looking for a caring and enthusiastic individual who will relish the opportunity to support a specific pupil with a physical disability, which limits their mobility within the classroom environment, and with movement around the School. The pupil will also need support with their social communication development.

Main Responsibilities:

• Help a specific pupil who needs physical assistance around the main school buildings and wider school campus, as well as on trips
• Build and maintain co-operative relationships with the designated pupil, being sensitive to their needs
• Give direct physical assistance to a specific pupil to the nearest exit in the event of a fire or fire drill
• Gather work from subject teachers if and when the specific pupil requires time away from school
• Communicate well with parents of the specific pupil as and when needed, including the writing of short reports where appropriate
• Liaise with the Head of Learning Development regularly with regard to the specific pupil’s needs, academic attainment and pastoral development

Pastoral Care:

• Be actively involved in promoting the wellbeing of all pupils
• Put pupils at the centre of everything you do, taking a pastoral interest in all pupils around the school environment so that they feel valued and cared for
• Motivate pupils through praise while being firm but fair
• Support to maintain the high standards of behaviour and uniform of pupils in the classroom and in all school locations and activities
• Adhere to the Staff Code of Conduct

Hours of work: Work hours are appropriate to the designated pupil, usually 8.00 until 16:00, Monday to Friday, with a 30-minute lunch break. This is a term-time only role. There will be some reasonable adjustments to this, e.g., on a Games day when the session finishes later, however, the latest possible time to finish is envisaged to be 17:00 in the evening on an occasional basis, with additional time worked given in lieu during the normal working week at a mutually agreeable time. Assisting with one residential trip a year is expected, and out of hours work for this will be paid at a pre-agreed rate.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding and Child Protection: Westminster Under School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Working at Westminster Under School: Westminster Under School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of around 292 pupils, 43 teaching staff and 50 support staff. Westminster Under School is a friendly and welcoming place to work. There is a real sense of community here and staff members quickly become part of the rhythm of life, both inside and outside the classroom. Social events are regular and varied, with plenty of opportunity to socialise outside working hours. Support staff as much as teaching staff are encouraged to embrace the School’s day-to-day activities, whether that be attending a concert or a sports fixture.

The School: Westminster Under School is a happy, ambitious, nurturing and inspiring world-class preparatory education for seven to 13 year olds. Pupils who love to learn are offered a supportive, dynamic and inspirational environment to fuel their curiosity. Located in the heart of London, the School overlooks the beautiful school playing fields in Vincent Square and is just a few moments’ walk from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It is closely connected to Westminster School; in 1943, Westminster expanded its educational scope by forming the Under School, and the two schools share the same Governing Body and the same ethos of a liberal education. Westminster Under School's curriculum is broad and diverse, aiming to foster a sense of wonder and inquisitiveness in children and encourage independent thought.