Teaching Assistant - Specialist Support - Term Time - Special Needs Position

Slade Primary School, Tonbridge

• Ref:KCC886-2155-275S
• Posted:07/01/2026
• Pay:KRA
• Start Date:TBC
• App Close Date:28/01/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

Teaching Assistant – Specialist Support Role within a mainstream school
Hours: Monday to Friday 12pm to 3.30pm; 17½ hours per week. 
Pay Scale: Kent Range A

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Teaching Assistant to join our team, supporting children with complex needs, including pre-verbal learners.  This role will initially be temporary due to funding and, as such, the days and hours are not negotiable.  Further discussion will be had at interview.

The role involves working closely with individual pupils and small groups to support communication, interaction, and learning using specialist approaches.  You will play a key role in helping children access education in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting children with complex needs, including pre-verbal communication
• Delivering structured 1:1 and small-group provision using specialist approaches to develop communication and interaction skills
• Assisting with personal care and hygiene needs in a respectful and dignified manner
• Working collaboratively with teachers and external professionals to implement individual support plans
• Creating a calm, supportive environment that promotes engagement and wellbeing

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Is patient, empathetic, and resilient
• Has experience working with children with additional needs
• Is willing to undertake training in specialist communication approaches
• Can work effectively as part of a team and follow guidance from teaching staff, therapy staff and external professionals

We Offer:

• Ongoing training and professional development
• Support from an experienced, multi-disciplinary team
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children’s lives

In line with KCSIE 2025 guidance, as part of the shortlisting process, Slade Primary School reserves the right to conduct an online search on shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence and to share any pertinent information found concerning a candidate’s suitability to work with children with the Headteacher.

Slade Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  As part of our safer recruitment process, all offers of employment are conditional on receipt of satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references, Occupational Health, DBS clearance and barred listing checks.

Recruitment will only be made through Kent Teach and not through agencies at any time.

Information about the school

Slade Primary School is nestled behind Tonbridge Castle, close to the Parish Church, the River Medway and the local park, which are all ideal resources for the school to use to inspire and motivate children.

We are a busy, friendly and popular two form entry school with 420 children on role. We also have a Specialist Resource Provision which caters for the needs of children with a severe to profound hearing loss with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP).

We have a warm and welcoming ethos with high expectations of all our children; aiming to be the best they can be in all aspects of school life. We teach through a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum that aims to inspire a life-long love of learning, which includes being able to offer all our children a wide range of extra-curriculum activities before and after school.

We are very proud to have our own Forest School at Slade. We recognise the importance of mental and physical well-being and, as well as connecting with nature, the Forest School experience offers multiple benefits. The holistic approach helps children develop many personal and social skills that can be difficult to teach in the classroom. We also have a designated space, called the Wobble Room, where our children can go when they are either feeling low or upset to help them get back into the green zone and in a good place to learn again.

We encourage all our staff to continuously improve their practice through training and development; to work together to be the best they can be to provide for our children.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for this post. Please note, to ensure equality for all applicants, we are unable to accept applications and CVs forwarded directly to the school.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Viki Garrett
• Address:The Slade, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1HR
• Telephone: (01732) 350354
• Email: HR@slade.kent.sch.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Job Description and Personal Specification