Teaching Assistant St John's CE Primary

About the role

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, calm and well-organised Pastoral Learning Assistant to join our committed and hardworking team. This is a primarily pastoral role and the successful candidate will become part of our dedicated team.

The role will be based in a dedicated pastoral space and will involve supporting children from Reception to Year 6. The successful candidate will work closely with the Headteacher, Inclusion Leader, teachers, families and external professionals to provide consistent pastoral support that promotes positive behaviour, emotional regulation, resilience, attendance, inclusion and engagement in learning.

The successful candidate will work with pupils who may require additional support with their social, emotional, mental health, communication and interaction needs. They will provide personalised pastoral interventions, helping children to build confidence, develop positive relationships, improve emotional literacy, feel valued and strengthen their readiness for learning.

Alongside pastoral support, the role will include supporting learning through targeted activities, adapting approaches to meet individual needs and helping pupils engage successfully with the curriculum. The ability to respond flexibly to changing circumstances, build positive relationships and tailor support for a wide range of learners will be essential.

A key aspect of the role will be supporting children to successfully reintegrate into their mainstream classroom following periods of intervention or pastoral support. This will involve working closely with teachers, parents and external professionals to ensure children feel safe, supported and able to access learning alongside their peers.

• Deliver individual and small group pastoral interventions to support pupils’ emotional wellbeing, resilience, self-esteem, social communication and positive behaviour.
• Provide a safe, nurturing space for pupils experiencing social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, supporting them to regulate emotions and develop positive coping strategies.
• Support pupils with SEND, SEMH needs, barriers to attendance and participation, or other vulnerabilities, helping them to feel included and able to thrive.
• Work with pupils during times of change, challenge, transition or reintegration, helping them to build confidence and successfully engage in school life.
• Support pupils during unstructured times, including break times, lunchtimes, arrivals and departures, encouraging positive social interaction and inclusion.
• Contribute to the planning, delivery, monitoring and review of support plans and pastoral interventions, keeping appropriate records and using school systems effectively.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, families and external agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to wellbeing, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding and inclusion.
• Contribute to a positive whole-school pastoral and learning environment where pupils feel safe, valued, respected and ready to learn.

• Experience of working with primary aged children or young people in an educational, pastoral, care or community setting.
• An understanding of children’s social, emotional and behavioural development, including how pupils’ wellbeing can affect learning, attendance and participation.
• Experience of supporting children with SEND, SEMH needs or other vulnerabilities would be helpful.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive, trusting relationships with pupils, parents, carers and colleagues.
• A calm, patient, flexible and solution-focused approach when responding to children with a range of needs.
• Good organisational and record-keeping skills, including the ability to use IT…