Teaching Assistant - Special Education Needs (SEN)

Westcourt Primary School, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 4JG

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  2nd November 2026

• Closing date

  15 October 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  28 September 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: £18,525.00 Annually (Actual) FTE £26,799. Working 39 weeks and paid for 44.45 weeks

Teaching Assistant - Special Education Needs (SEN) job summary

Learn, Aspire, Achieve

Do you want to make a real difference to children's lives every day? Westcourt is a happy, caring school where the success of every child matters, and we're looking for a Teaching Assistant who shares that belief.

We serve children from Nursery to Year 6 in Gravesend. We have extensive grounds, OPAL playtimes, a strong focus on wellbeing and mental health, and a staff team that knows and values every child.

The role

You will work closely with teachers and support staff to help every pupil learn and thrive, especially those with special educational needs and other vulnerable groups. You will:

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support so pupils stay focused, engaged and able to take part in lessons
• Help pupils become confident, independent learners by explaining tasks and breaking them into manageable steps
• Support reading by listening to children read, reading to them and sharing stories
• Support positive behaviour, and respond calmly and consistently when children find things difficult
• Offer emotional support that helps children's social and emotional development, and share any concerns with the right staff
• Help identify pupils who may need extra support, and help adapt activities to meet their needs
• Prepare classrooms and resources, and create displays that celebrate children's work

About you

We'd love to hear from you if you:

• Are passionate about making sure every child is supported to do their best
• Are kind, patient, trustworthy, enthusiastic and full of energy
• Have good literacy and numeracy skills (GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths, or equivalent)
• Communicate well, and can build warm, appropriate relationships with children, parents and carers
• Can adapt your approach to meet children's individual needs
• Are well organised, self-motivated and committed to developing your own practice
• Can maintain confidentiality and a high level of professionalism

Desirable

• Experience of working with children in a primary setting, including pupils with SEND or social, emotional and mental health needs
• A Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent

What we offer

• Happy, motivated children who are keen to learn
• A dedicated, professional and supportive staff team
• An ambitious leadership team committed to professional learning
• Training and career development across The Primary First Trust's 10 schools in Bexley, Gravesham and Medway
• A strong commitment to staff wellbeing, including a paid staff wellbeing day each year [please confirm]
• Excellent resources, vibrant learning spaces and extensive outdoor grounds

You are very welcome to visit before applying. To arrange a visit, please contact the school office on. Visits are informal and do not form part of the selection process.

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 Westcourt Primary School

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• Size: 285 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Westcourt Primary School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/westcourt-primary-school-gravesend

Westcourt Primary school is a two form entry school and is situated in the east of Gravesend, offering quick links to the A2/M2. The site is extensive, giving staff good car parking facilities and a dedicated PPA room and a staff room. The building is well-maintained, offering a good working environment.

School location

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