Teaching Assistant (KS2)
Helping a Child Rebuild Confidence Through Consistent, Compassionate Support
Sense Education are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Teaching Assistant to support a Key Stage 2 pupil who is having difficulty accessing the curriculum. This role calls for a patient, emotionally aware practitioner who can embed a trauma informed approach into everyday classroom life. With the right support, this pupil is capable of re-engaging with learning and your consistency could be the turning point.
The Role
The successful applicant will provide one‑to‑one support throughout the school day, helping the pupil feel emotionally safe and ready to learn. This will involve balancing curriculum tasks with emotional regulation, trust building, and sensory-aware scaffolding. You'll work closely with the class teacher and SENCO to shape provision, while also delivering trauma-sensitive interventions each day such as:
* Feelings Thermometer: helping the pupil rate their emotional state using a visual scale before tasks, and offering short regulation breaks
* Movement and Brain Breaks: planning mini physical breaks, such as stretching, walking, or "shake-it-out" routines to help release tension and improve focus
* Safe Choice Cards: supporting the pupil to use personalised calming strategies they've helped choose, giving them a sense of control when feeling dysregulated
* Narrative Writing with Emotional Links: guiding the pupil through writing prompts focused on resilience and problem-solving, helping to explore emotions while working on literacy
* Success Journaling: ending lessons with reflection on one success and one goal, building self-esteem and reframing mistakes positively
Who We're Looking For
* Qualified Teaching Assistant or a degree in a relevant subject area
* Experience supporting children or adults with SEMH or trauma-related needs is highly desirable
* Calm, consistent, and emotionally attuned, with the ability to spot subtle changes in mood or regulation
* A reflective team player who understands that emotional readiness is the foundation for learning
* Comfortable working flexibly and responsively throughout the day
The School
This is a compassionate and inclusive setting where emotional wellbeing is prioritised alongside academic progress. Staff are trained in trauma awareness and are committed to providing a nurturing, structured environment in which all children can thrive.
Working Hours
8.30 am – 3.30 pm, Monday to Friday
Open to both full-time and part-time applicants
If you believe that emotional healing and academic success can go hand in hand, we'd love to hear from you.
Safeguarding children is an integral part of what we do and we have a stringent safer recruitment process. We undertake checks on all the candidates we work with. As such we require a current Enhanced DBS Disclosure for everyone working in Schools. If you do not have a subscription to the DBS Update Service, you may be required to complete a new DBS application as part of the registration process. If you take a temporary role with Sense Education you will be paid on a weekly basis. All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position but long term. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Temp to perm
Pay: £14.00-£16.00 per hour
Work Location: In person