Vacancy Details

Job Title

Special Educational Needs Support Assistant

Grade

Level 5

Salary

£24,294 to £26,421 full time, full year (pending pay rise)

£18,666 to £20,299 actual salary, 32.5 hours per week, term time only (pending pay rise)

Hours of Work

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 8.45am to 3.35pm

Wednesday 8.45am to 4.05pm

Friday 8.25am to 3.35pm

32.5 hours per week, term time only

Advertise Date

As soon as possible

Closing Date

6 October 2025, by 9am

Location

Kemball School, Beaconsfield Drive, Blurton, Stoke on Trent ST3 3JD

Contact Number

01782 883120

Email

ofice@kemball.orchardct.org.uk

Date & time of visits to the school 

Please contact the school to arrange

About the school

Part of Orchard Community Trust, Kemball School is a day special school for pupils aged between 3 and 19 years of age with cognitive and learning difficulties (PMLD, SLD & MLD some of whom have complex medical/physical needs). The school has a happy atmosphere and is welcoming and friendly.  The current number on roll is 227.

The school is committed to equality of opportunity.

In line with the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance which outlines that schools should carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates.  I can confirm that the online check will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates only as part of the process of assessing your suitability to work with children.

Closing date: 6 October 2025, by 9am

Interviews will take place on 15/16 October 2025

Start date: as soon as possible

Details of the job and how to apply are on our website: https://kemballschool.org.uk/vacancies/

Job Purpose

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and enthusiastic Special Educational Needs Support Assistant to join our hard working and committed team.  Our pupils have severe learning difficulties and are taught using a highly differentiated, individualised curriculum.  Experience of working within a special school, catering for pupils with cognition and learning needs is essential.  This should include supporting pupils with communication difficulties, hearing and visual impairments, behavioural needs, complex physical/medical needs and sensory processing disorders. Candidates must also have a willingness to further their own professional development by attending relevant courses and implementing new initiatives. 

The successful candidate will have experience of working in an education and/or care setting and hold NVQ Level 3 in Teaching & Learning or equivalent and have knowledge of policies and procedures relevant to child protection and health and safety. A full job description and person specification is available on our website. 

Key Duties/

Responsibilities

Key duties: 

1. Provide learning activities for individuals and groups of pupils under the professional direction and supervision of a qualified teacher, differentiating and adapting learning programmes to suit the needs of allocated pupils with SEN  

2. Plan and evaluate specialist learning activities with the teacher, writing reports and records as required  

3. Work with pupils on therapy or care programmes, designed and supervised by a therapist/care professional  

4. Monitor, assess, record and report on development, progress and attainment, as agreed with the teacher, drawing any problems which cannot be resolved to the attention of the teacher  

5. Select and adapt appropriate resources/methods to facilitate agreed learning activities  

6. Be involved in planning, organising and implementing individual development plans for pupils (such as Individual educational plans), including attendance at, and contribution to, reviews  

Special Education Needs Support Assistants in this role may also undertake some or all of the following: 

1. Be part of the induction of pupils into specialist units, main stream classes or schools for pupils with special educational needs  

2. Monitor pupils’ conduct and behaviour throughout the learning process and intervene to resolve complex, difficult or very challenging issues  

3. Supervise individuals and groups of pupils throughout the day, including supervision in the classroom, playground and dining areas  

4. Work with pupils not working to normal timetable  

5. Establish and maintain relationships with families and carers and other adults, e.g. speech therapists  

6. Advise and assist pupils in the proper use and deployment of complex personal and learning aides and equipment  

7. Escort and supervise pupils on educational and out of school activities and reporting issues to the teacher as appropriate 

8. Be responsible for the preparation, maintenance and control of stocks of materials and resources  

9. Administer medication in accordance with an agreed plan under direction of healthcare practitioner and following appropriate training 

10. Any other duties appropriate to the post. 

Application forms and information packs are on our website or can be obtained by emailing office@kemball.orchardct.org.uk or calling 01782 883120

Completed application forms should be emailed to office@kemball.orchardct.org.uk or alternatively posted to:

Kemball School

Beaconsfield Drive

Blurton
Stoke on Trent

ST3 3JD