SEN Teaching Assistant - Term Time

Inspire Academy, Chatham

• Ref:KCC887-7000-66S
• Posted:04/02/2026
• Pay:NJC D2 (24,413 - 28,142) + SEN Allowance
• Start Date:Immediate
• App Close Date:22/02/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

We are looking for a committed and consistent Teaching Assistant who is resilient and passionate about improving the life chances of our young people.  We are a specialist provision for pupils aged 11-16 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH), each with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Inspire Academy is a fast-paced, dynamic place to work, where the children are at the heart of everything we do.  As a dedicated Special School supporting children with SEMH needs, our support staff are an integral part of the team and we require someone who is devoted to making a difference.  Every student at Inspire has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with SEMH as their primary need, with many having experienced fragmented education and challenges that mainstream settings cannot always meet.

Inspire is proud to be part of Rivermead Inclusive Trust, a well-established organisation within the Medway community. This is an exciting time to join us as we embark on ambitious plans, including the development of a brand-new, state-of-the-art building for our learners, scheduled to open in the near future.

Our mission is simple: every child has the right to achieve. With small class sizes and a passionate team, we provide a nurturing environment where students can rebuild confidence, develop positive behaviours, and make meaningful progress.

What We Do

• Work closely with parents, carers, and external agencies to support each child’s journey
• Provide an inclusive environment in which all learners that have special educational needs and are disadvantaged are at the forefront of everything we do
• Create opportunities for academic success and personal growth in a safe, structured setting

About You

• Experience working with children with SEMH or challenging behaviours
• Ability to build positive relationships and motivate pupils
• Relevant qualifications or experience (desirable)
• Driven by a genuine desire to make a difference for children with SEN

The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed teaching assistant who:

• Understands the complexities of SEMH and is passionate about making a difference
• Supports with the delivery of engaging lessons tailored to individual needs
• Works collaboratively with colleagues and external professionals to support holistic development
• Supports pupils in the classroom and during social times
• Delivers 1:1 interventions to enhance learning and progress
• Engages pupils with challenging behaviours and inspire enthusiasm for learning

What We Offer

• Small class sizes for focused teaching
• A supportive and committed team that values creativity and innovation
• CPD opportunities for professional growth
• Opportunities to progress within your career with our Trust’s “Grow your own” ethos
• The chance to transform lives and make a real impact

Join Us

If you believe every child deserves a chance to succeed and you have the skills and dedication to help them achieve it, we’d love to hear from you.

This is a position of 31 working hours per week, Monday to Friday, term-time only plus 1 week for Staff Development days (39 weeks per year in total).

Please note:  We are unable to accept CV's and in order for your application to be considered, an application form must be completed and submitted by the closing date.

We reserve the right to shortlist and interview earlier than the stated closing date should an appropriate application be received.

Information about the school

Inspire Academy is a specialist provision for pupils aged 11-16 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, and forms part of The Rivermead Inclusive Trust.

At Inspire Academy, every pupil has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with a primary need of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH). We recognise that mainstream schooling isn’t always the best fit for these learners, and we provide an environment where they can thrive. Many of our pupils have faced challenges in their early educational experiences, which may have led to gaps in learning. Our goal is to help them rebuild confidence, re-engage with education, and achieve success. Through personalised support, a nurturing atmosphere, and strategies that promote emotional well-being, we empower pupils to overcome barriers, develop positive relationships, and unlock their full potential.

With small classes and amazing staff that truly understand SEMH we feel that once a pupil starts at Inspire they have every opportunity to reach their potential. Every child has the right to achieve and we believe that every parent and carer has the right to expect that Inspire Academy will do its very best for their child. With this in mind we work closely with parents and carers and other agencies to help each pupil make positive choices and changes which will serve them better in their future.

Our aim is to prepare every pupil for adulthood and to move on successfully to the next stages of their educational journey.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Karen Watkin, HR Manager
• Address:Silverbank, Churchill Avenue, Chatham, Kent, ME5 0LB
• Telephone: 01634 961080
• Email: kwatkin@r-i-t.org

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Equality & Diversity Statement
• Person Specification
• Teaching Assistant Job Description