About this role
- About this role Are you a caring, patient and resourceful practitioner who believes every child deserves the chance to flourish? St Thomas CE Primary School is looking for a dedicated SEND Teaching Assistant to join our warm and welcoming team in the heart of Birmingham. Proudly part of Fioretti Trust - a family of Church of England schools committed to collaboration, compassion and excellence - St Thomas is a school where exceptionally strong relationships sit at the centre of everything we do. Our vision, "Through God's love in action, we are the rich soil where roots grow and seeds flourish" (Luke 8:4-15), shapes daily life for our children and staff alike, and our values of love, trust, friendship and faith are lived out in the kindness and care we show one another.
In this role, you'll work closely with our SENDCo, class teachers and families to support pupil(s) with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). You'll provide 1:1 and small-group support, help pupils access the curriculum alongside their peers, and nurture their social, emotional and personal development - always with an eye on building independence rather than reliance on adult support. Inclusion is something we're genuinely proud of: pupils with SEND learn and play alongside their classmates, and some benefit from bespoke support in our calm and welcoming 'Rainforest room'.
About our school St Thomas is a vibrant, inclusive primary school for children aged 3-11, serving a diverse community close to Birmingham city centre. Our February 2025 Ofsted inspection judged our early years provision to be outstanding and all other areas good. Inspectors noted that pupils with SEND get the support they need to succeed, that staff make thoughtful adaptations so all pupils achieve well, and that the school is calm and purposeful, with warm relationships between pupils and adults.
Our staff told inspectors how much they value the highly effective, individualised professional development they receive - and that, like our pupils and families, they are proud to be part of the St Thomas family.t.We are looking for someone who:
- Holds an NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Supporting Teaching and Learning
- Has experience of supporting children with special educational needs in a classroom setting
- Has a good working knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and strategies to support a range of needs (e.g. communication and interaction, cognition and learning, SEMH, sensory/physical)
- Builds positive, trusting relationships with pupils and is patient, flexible and calm under pressure
- Can implement agreed behaviour management strategies consistently and effectively
- Is willing to support intimate care routines in line with school policy
- Works well as part of a team and communicates effectively with teachers, the SENDCo, families and outside agencies
- Is committed to our Christian ethos, to safeguarding, and to the welfare and equality of every child
Your key responsibilities will be
- Providing 1:1 and small-group learning support, in class and in withdrawal settings
- Adapting resources and activities, as agreed with the class teacher and SENDCo, so pupils can access learning
- Supporting pupils' social and emotional development and promoting safe, inclusive play
- Observing and recording pupil progress and contributing to EHCP annual reviews
- Developing pupils' independence and encouraging inclusion with their peers
- Working in partnership with the SENDCo, class teachers, parents and external professionals
What we offer
- A warm, inclusive school community where every child - and every adult - is known, valued and supported
- A dedicated SENDCo and an experienced team who will support you from day one
- Highly effective, individualised professional development, including SEND-specific training to grow your expertise
- The chance to make a real, lasting difference to children's lives and see the impact of your work every day
- Calm, purposeful classrooms and pupils who are keen to learn
- Membership of Fioretti Trust, with opportunities to collaborate, share practice and develop your career across our family of eight schools
- A comprehensive staff wellbeing package, reflecting our commitment to a healthy work-life balance
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- A convenient city-centre location, close to public transport links
Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. To arrange a visit or find out more, please contact the school office on 0121 622 2151 or [email protected].