SEND Teaching Assistant

Work Location: St. James' Church of England Primary Academy, Bournemouth

Salary (per year): Range: NJC scale point 7-9. FTE salary: £26,403 - £27,254

Working hours: 32.5 hours a week (08:20 am - 3:20 pm)

Weeks per year: Term time only plus inset days (39 weeks per year)

Closing Date: Wednesday 15th July (12 noon) 2026

Interview Date: tbc

Job Start Date: Tuesday 1 st September 2026

St James' Church of England Primary Academy is a successful and ambitious school, with a firm commitment to continue to improve and develop every day.

We have a vacancy in our Teaching Assistant team. We are seeking to appoint a SEN teaching assistant with aspiration and ambition. This role will include working with vulnerable children on a 1 to 1 basis and supporting them to access the curriculum. It will include preparing resources and assisting teachers in the day-to day management of the classroom. Experience of working with SEN pupils and excellent behaviour management skills are desirable.

You will have a positive attitude of self improvement and a commitment to work alongside colleagues to share best practice, learn, reflect and improve. We are looking for a professional with a strong vocational commitment to improve the life chances of our children with exciting and engaging teaching, learning and lunchtime experiences. Does this sound like you?

A successful candidate will be:

• Passionate about making learning and lunchtime experiences exciting and memorable
• Determined to ensure that all children have the opportunity to make good progress and will exceed national standards
• A reflective practitioner who is always open to new initiatives
• A team player who is highly motivated and enthusiastic
• Prepared to take an active part in the wider life of the school, willing to add something extra to the school community by sharing their talents
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of our academy in their application and indicate how they believe they could contribute to developing our community and the opportunities for our children
• Empathetic and able to support and promote our Christian ethos and values
• Shows enthusiasm, is proactive, self motivated and able to use initiative
• Commits to team work and has excellent interpersonal skills
• Is organised, efficient, professional and adaptable
• Is caring, understanding and patient with a good sense of humour
• Someone who lives life with a smile!

SEN Specific Experience (Desirable):

• Has experience of caring for children with physical needs who require physio support and intimate care
• Understands child development and attachment theory in relation to challenging behaviour
• Establishes positive, supportive and clear relationships with children, parents and staff
• Has a commitment to inclusion in a mainstream setting
• Training in working with children with ASD, ADHD, PDA, SLCN or developmental delay.

In return, we offer:

• A learning community where you are encouraged to innovate, think for yourself, try new ideas, make a difference and take on responsibility
• Happy, enthusiastic children who are motivated to learn
• A dedicated and mutually supportive staff team
• Supportive leadership, parents, local governors and Multi Academy Trust
• Opportunities to network with partnership school and Trust colleagues
• High quality opportunities for continued professional development
• An academy trust employee benefits and wellbeing package.

The application process is detailed on our vacancies page.