SEMH Teaching Assistant

SEMH Teaching Assistant

Contract Type: Fixed term until 31 July 2027

Pay Grade: Grade D3 to D4

Full Time Salary: £25,614 to £26,016

Actual Salary: £19,479.97 to £19,785.70

Hours: 32.75 hours per day, 39 weeks per year.

Starting: January 2027

St James CE Primary School is a relationships-led, two form entry primary school in the heart of Northampton. Part of the Peterborough Diocese Education Trust (PDET), we have a strong Christian ethos and a county-wide commitment to children with SEMH needs through our specialist unit and outreach work. The unit (the PARC) is part of the local authority HARPS SEMH offer, providing two intakes per year (10 pupils per cohort) in a dedicated environment within our mainstream setting. This role will be within our specialist nurture provision and is supported by our Assistant Headteacher (Behaviour and Inclusion) the PARC Nurture Lead and two Nurture HLTAs.

At St James relationships and inclusion are a central strength in our school. Welcoming families from a wide variety of backgrounds, giving us an exciting multicultural mix of language and religion. Our relationships are based on our core value of Respect, using the language of Emotion Coaching in every interaction. We also have a large Pastoral Team that provides support to children and families across a wide range of wellbeing and safeguarding issues. Including our two specialist units that support our most vulnerable learners and highly skilled staff who support children to flourish.

We are looking to appoint someone who:

• Someone who supports the Christian ethos and inclusive nature of St James and who works to embed our values with children, staff, governors, parents and the wider community;
• An excellent practitioner who has relevant experience and/or qualifications to support children with additional SEMH needs;
• An individual who has an understanding and experience of working with children with SEMH difficulties in mainstream or specialist settings and responds positively and with patience to the challenges these children face;
• Someone who has high expectations of children’s learning and can motivate children so they can flourish and achieve their potential;
• Someone who is reflective and continually seeks to improve their practice;
• A person who builds strong relationships with children based on clear boundaries, empathy and fairness;
• Someone who understands our community and our passion for inclusion and who is able to build supportive relationships within a team for the benefit of the children;
• An energetic individual who smiles often, challenges positively and drives change for the benefit of all;
• Someone who has patience, resilience and a desire to make a difference;
• An individual who starts each day afresh with positivity and enthusiasm.

In return, we will offer:

• A supportive environment where contributions and ideas are encouraged, valued and supported.

• Happy and motivated children who are eager to learn.

• A collaborative and supportive school community that is underpinned by the Christian ethos, driven by a shared passion of children’s welfare and education.

• A rewarding working environment, within a supportive and welcoming atmosphere.

• Access to a vast array of employee benefits and recognition systems, via our brand-new partnership with Perkbox.

• Employment within one of the largest Multi-Academy Trusts in the Peterborough Diocese, with wider development, training and career opportunities.

Are you ready to seize a wonderful opportunity at a wonderful school? Then please get in touch with us, we would love to hear from you!

Visits during the school day are welcome and encouraged. Please contact the school office by phone or by email:

[email removed]

[phone removed]

St James CE Primary is a proud member of the Peterborough Diocese Education Trust. We are a family of schools across the Peterborough Diocese, and these strong links make special contribution to our children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and learning. PDET is responsible for employing all staff and managing finances and other central services for the academies within the Trust.

More information about the school and the Trust can be found on the following websites:

https://www.stjames.northants.sch.uk/contact-details/

https://www.pdet.org.uk/

For more information see our Job Description and Personal Specifications.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications, so please do not delay in applying!

PDET, and all of our schools, are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure, and references will be sought prior to interview for all shortlisted candidates. We are an equal opportunities employer.