Salary: Grade 5 SCP 16-20 £25,183-£26,409 FTE (Pay award pending)
Actual Salary: £19,280- £20,219
Working hours: 32.5 hours per week, Term Time plus 5 Inset Days (39 weeks total)
Portland School are recruiting for 7 fabulous SENSA's to support learning in the classroom for pupils with a range of SEMH needs. We have positions across both our Trent Vale and Blythe Bridge premises.
This is an exciting time to join Portland as we are a growing school and are continually welcoming new pupils through our doors and therefore need additional enthusiastic support assistants to add to our team.
The applicant may work within the classroom itself or be asked to support a child 1:1 outside for the classroom for some sections of the day.
A driving license would be desirable as you may need to work on 1:1 basis off site.
At Portland School, we are dedicated to providing exceptional learning and experiences to pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMHD). Our mission is to empower young minds and nurture futures, ensuring that every student reaches their full potential.
Our day begins at 8:45am and finishes at 2:15pm, Monday to Friday, providing students with 5.5 hours of learning each day, totalling 27.5 hours per week. Portland School specialises in catering to the unique needs of young people facing SEMHD challenges. We understand that each student is an individual, and our staff is highly trained in SEMHD teaching and management, creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
Our state-of-the-art facilities are designed with our students in mind, from sensory spaces to specialised classrooms, promoting growth, development, and well-being. Our passionate and dedicated staff members are committed to making a difference in the lives of our students, providing the guidance, support, and educational opportunities necessary for success.
* To work with teachers as part of a professional team to organise and support learning activities for SEMH pupils, within and outside of the classroom.
* To deliver specified work under the direction and supervision of a qualified teacher on a 1:1 or small group basis.
* To plan, organise and undertake other related duties to support pupils who have experienced trauma.
* To evaluate specialist learning and therapeutic activities with the teacher and provide feedback.
* Build positive relationships and manage pupils' behaviour effectively within a school environment.
* Be proactive, resourceful and energetic.
* Communicate effectively with students, colleagues and parents / carers.
* Friendly, committed and motivated staff.
* Positive learning environment with friendly children.
* Supportive leadership team.
* Commitment to your professional development and training.
* Opportunity to be part of our journey of improvement and integration into Shaw Education Trust.
At Portland School, we are dedicated to providing exceptional learning and experiences to pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMHD). Our mission is to empower young minds and nurture futures, ensuring that every student reaches their full potential. We are a split site school with two provisions to meet different needs, one at Trent Vale one at Blythe Bridge. We have an amazing staff team who work tirelessly to support approximately 140 pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.
As a specialist school our pupils benefit from smaller class sizes, a more practical curriculum, access to alternative accreditations and a highly trained staff team. Both sites have spacious grounds allowing us to provide outdoor
education, with our Blythe Bridge site boasting specialist classrooms for Design and technology, Art and Design, Science, Food technology and PE.
At the heart of our school are a set of shared values where our entire school community are supported to develop a sense of Respect, Responsibility, Belonging, Independence, show a Team Approach and look after their own Mental Toughness.
All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.
Join Shaw Education Trust – Support, Teach, Lead… Make the Remarkable Happen
At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role holds the power to transform a life. Whether you're supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you'll be part of something extraordinary.
Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:
* An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
* Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years' service including Bank Holidays)
* Electric Car Scheme: Environmentally friendly vehicles with our electric car scheme.
* Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
* Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
* Free Eye Tests
* Cycle to work scheme
* Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.
We know our people are the key to our success and so we're committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.
Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.
* Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
* Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
* Access to the Trust's Institute of Education and SCITT.
* Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
* Participating in peer reviews.
* Access to a suite of online courses.
* Placement projects within our family of schools.
Safer Recruitment & Equal Opportunities Statement
Portland is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment, click here to review Safeguarding and Pupil Protection Policy
This position is subject to robust vetting procedures, including an online search for all shortlisted candidates, in line with our Trust's commitment to safer recruitment.
An enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), formerly known as the CRB, is required. You will be asked to disclose all relevant unspent and, where applicable, unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions, and convictions.
Shaw Education Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are fully committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at every stage.
In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.
Application deadline: 9am Friday 26th September
Interview date: To be confirmed
We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, therefore, we encourage early applications.
Successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent, Fixed term contract
Work Location: In person