Teaching Assistant (in particular specialising in complex SEND)
Kempston Rural Primary School, Kempston, Bedfordshire, MK42 7FJ21 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
21 April 2026 at 12:59am
Date listed
31 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Fixed term
Full-time equivalent salary
- £24,796.00 - £25,583.00 Annually (FTE) Term Time Only contract.
Teaching Assistant (in particular specialising in complex SEND) job summary
We are seeking to appoint an experienced Teaching Assistant specialising in complex SEND to join our friendly and committed staff team. This is a fixed‑term role until August 2026, with the potential to extend for the right person.
The successful candidate will support pupils with a range of complex needs, including intimate care, sensory and communication needs, and structured developmental support. You will work both individually and with small groups, following a timetabled rotation alongside a dedicated team.
About the Role
As part of our well‑resourced and creative school environment, you will:
- Provide high‑quality support for pupils with complex SEND, including intimate care routines, sensory regulation, and communication development.
- Deliver planned provision for individuals and small groups, following structured programmes and EHCP targets.
- Use established routines, systems, and resources consistently to support communication, engagement and development.
- Actively interact, model communication, and build meaningful relationships—understanding that progress is often shown through subtle, “tiny steps” that require patience and sensitivity.
- Work closely with teachers, SENDCos, and the wider staff team to ensure pupils can access learning and make progress.
- Maintain accurate record‑keeping, monitoring small but significant achievements, challenges, and daily interactions.
- Take initiative in the classroom and wider school environment, contributing ideas and responding flexibly to pupils’ needs.
- Demonstrate resilience and emotional strength in the demands of working with complex SEND pupils within a mainstream setting.
- Be a reliable, consistent team player in a setting where collaboration is essential.
Who We Are Looking For
We are particularly interested in applicants with experience in:
- Early Years settings
- Complex SEND support
- Specialist or resourced provision
- Sensory, communication, or developmental support
- Working within structured interventions or therapeutic approaches
The right candidate will bring:
- A warm, proactive and hands‑on approach
- A strong understanding of how to support communication, interaction, sensory needs and emotional regulation
- The ability to follow structured programmes while also using initiative when adapting to pupils' needs
- The mindset to celebrate incremental progress and nurture long‑term relationships
- Confidence in intimate care, physical support and personal care routines
- Resilience, empathy and a team‑focused attitude
Our Environment
We are a well‑resourced, creative and highly supportive school offering:
- A fantastic sensory room
- Excellent outdoor learning spaces
- A dedicated TEACCH‑model hub
- A wide range of structured interventions including Attention Autism, turn‑taking programmes, Sensory Stories, Lift Off to Language, and more
- Weekly Forest School sessions with qualified practitioners
- Centralised SEND resources and intervention support
- A collaborative, experienced staff team who value consistency, communication, and pupil‑centred practice
This is a setting where the right candidate can thrive, grow professionally, and make a profoundly positive impact.
Working Hours
Your working week will be 35.5 hours, as follows:
Monday-Thursday: 8:00am-3:30pm
Friday: 8:00am-1:30pm
(A 30‑minute lunch break is included each day.)
Why Join Us?
You will be part of a committed team in a nurturing, well‑equipped learning environment where:
- Staff are valued and supported.
- Training and development opportunities are available.
- Collaboration and care are at the heart of what we do.
If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference to the lives of children with complex special educational needs, we would love to hear from you.
Visits to our wonderful school are strongly recommended.
Applications will be considered upon receipt meaning that interviews may take place before the closing date.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Kempston Rural Primary School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 5 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 440 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 5 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Kempston Rural Primary School website
Kempston Rural Primary School is a two form entry school which also has a 26 place Pre-School provision on site.
School location
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