Primary Teaching Assistant – Whitehaven
About the Role
A warm and welcoming Whitehaven primary school is seeking a calm, compassionate individual to provide dedicated 1:1 classroom support to a child with additional needs. Whether your experience comes from education, care, health or social services, this role offers the chance to build a meaningful relationship with one pupil, helping them feel safe, supported and included in daily school life.
Working alongside teachers and SEND professionals, you'll adapt learning activities, support emotional wellbeing, and foster communication – giving this child the opportunity to thrive in their own way.
Who This Role Would Suit
This is an ideal opportunity for someone who can offer a consistent, nurturing presence and is motivated by seeing small steps lead to big progress. You’ll need to build trust through patience, structure and encouragement, supporting both academic and emotional development.
The Ideal Candidate
You might already have experience as a Teaching Assistant, or perhaps you come from a care, support or healthcare background and are ready to transition your skills into a classroom setting. A Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification is desirable for this primary-based role.
You will be:
- Calm, consistent and compassionate
- Comfortable working 1:1 and adjusting to a child’s individual needs
- Skilled at setting boundaries while offering positive encouragement
- Able to work closely with teachers, parents and other professionals
- Experienced in supporting children or vulnerable individuals
- Familiar with EHCPs, autism or speech and language needs (desirable)
About the School
This community-centred primary school in Whitehaven places high value on emotional wellbeing and personal development. Staff work collaboratively to provide a calm, structured environment where every child is known and supported. Pupils with additional needs are offered tailored, individual support to help them build trust and achieve steady progress.
Working Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3.30pm
- Term-time only
- Full-time preferred, though part-time may be considered for the right person
What’s On Offer
- Competitive pay
- A consistent, classroom-based role with no shift work
- Long-term opportunity with potential to become permanent
- Build your SEND experience within a nurturing primary setting
- Be part of a supportive, child-focused team
Ready to help a child feel safe and valued? Apply today.
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: Up to £16.00 per year
Work Location: In person
