Teaching Assistant (SEMH)

Are you passionate about supporting children to overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential?

We are seeking a caring, resilient and committed SEMH Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team. This role will focus on supporting the social, emotional and mental health needs of pupils across the school, helping them to develop confidence, resilience and positive relationships so they can engage successfully in learning.

Working closely with teachers, SEND and pastoral staff, you will provide targeted support to individual pupils and small groups, helping children to regulate their emotions, manage challenges and thrive both academically and personally. You will build strong, trusting relationships with pupils and play a key role in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels safe, valued and supported.

The successful candidate will:

• Have experience working with children in a school or similar setting.
• Be able to build positive and effective relationships with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Have a good understanding of children's social, emotional and mental health needs.
• Be calm, patient and resilient when supporting children through challenges.
• Be committed to safeguarding, inclusion and ensuring the best outcomes for all pupils.
• Be willing to undertake training and develop specialist SEMH knowledge and skills.

In return, we offer a welcoming and supportive team, opportunities for professional development and the chance to make a genuine difference to the lives of children and young people.

This position is linked to finite funding and is due to end 31st October 2027.

If you are passionate about helping children flourish and want to be part of a school where wellbeing and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do, we would love to hear from you.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed.

About the school Plaistow Hill Primary and Nursery school is a small one form entry school in Plymouth. We pride ourselves on having a village school feeling in the city. We have great relationships with children and families ensuring a holistic approach to learning. Our dedicated staff have formed close working relationships to foster growth and collaboration. We are situated close to local woodland where we regularly have forest school sessions and our outdoor space provides perfect opportunities for outdoor learning. We look forward to welcoming you to our friendly school.

About the Trust
The Learning Academies Trust is a family of 18 schools across Plymouth and surrounding areas, dedicated to delivering outstanding education to all our children, whatever their starting point or background. Our Trust’s mission is:

Together we will… work with our children, families, and communities to provide exceptional learning opportunities for all our children

As part of the trust, we will support you to learn and develop, providing outstanding CPD and opportunities for collaboration between schools within the trust sharing resources, expertise and knowledge.

Further information about the position, the trust and the benefits we offer can be found in the attached recruitment pack.

To request a tour of the school or to discuss the role in anyway please contact the school on the number above.

If you believe you can demonstrate the dedication, skills and passion required, we look forward to receiving your application. If there are no vacancies currently, but you would like to register your interest for future vacancies, please join our talent pool and we will be in touch as soon as we have a suitable position.

Please note, the closing date is for guidance only. Successful applicants will be invited to interview at the earliest available opportunity. Learning Academies Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.

With 18 individual primary schools, the Learning Academies Trust is the largest primary school trust in Plymouth and the first education employer in Plymouth to achieve the Livewell Southwest Wellbeing at Work Bronze Award. The Trust is committed to supporting the wellbeing of all staff and is proud to work closely with official bodies to ensure we have a holistic approach to staff wellbeing.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out; references will be sought for all shortlisted candidates and all shortlisted candidates will be requested to complete a questionnaire about any convictions or adult cautions that are unspent. Guidance will be given to those shortlisted. Appointment is subject to an Enhanced DBS.