Teaching Assistant (32.5 hours per week)

Aspire School, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 5DA

17 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  April 2026

• Closing date

  20 March 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  3 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full-time equivalent salary: £18,821.00 Annually (Actual) £18,821 pro rata (£24,581 FTE) +SEN allowance

Teaching Assistant (32.5 hours per week) job summary

We are offering a rare opportunity to join a purpose-built environment designed for our children who have additional needs including autism and speech and language.

At Aspire School, we believe that education should be both personalised and aspirational for every learner. We are seeking an experienced and dedicated SEN Teaching Assistant to join our team. This role involves providing support for pupils with unique and individual needs. The student demonstrates high academic ability but requires additional emotional support to thrive. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, adaptable, proactive, and highly observant, with a genuine passion for nurturing and supporting individual pupils.

If you have the relevant experience and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in a child’s educational journey, we would be delighted to hear from you.

This is a temporary appointment (initially a 1 year contract with a view to extend) term time only contract (38 weeks per year plus 5 training days), 32.5 hours per week, 8.30 until 15.30 Monday to Friday.

You will be our desirable candidate if:

• You have experience in supporting children with SEN;
• You have previously supported pupils with anxiety;
• You have previous experience or training in de-escalation and/or positive behaviour support.
• You are an understanding and resilient person;
• You thrive working in a friendly team with like-minded people;
• You have a positive sense of humour and attitude;
• You are a clear communicator with adults and children;
• You are a positive role model to all;

In return, we can offer you:

• A friendly and supportive team;
• Opportunities for progression and development through training, coaching and mentoring;
• A healthy work-life balance;
• An inclusive environment where you feel valued;
• A supportive leadership team.
• Excellent pension scheme
• Counseling Service
• Health Cashplan (after 6 months)
• Free parking
• Discounted breakfast and after school club for your child (if your child attends one of our trust schools)

If you are experienced, enthusiastic and adaptable and have the passion to bring out and nurture the individual talents in our pupils, aged 4 -11 with ASD and speech and language needs, please do complete an application form.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an interview and observation at the school.

Aspire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare for all children and preventing extremism. We expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All post holders in regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online searches for publicly available information.

CVs will only be accepted when accompanied by a fully completed online application form. No agencies please.

In cases where we receive a high volume of applications for a post, we may bring the closing date forward. We reserve the right to make an appointment before the closing date, so early applications are encouraged to avoid disappointment.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Aspire School

• School type: Free School, ages 4 to 11
• School size: 188 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Aspire School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/aspire-school

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