Part-Time Teaching Assistant - Special SchoolWolverhampton | 2 full days per week | Ideally Mondays & FridaysAre you someone who has the patience, resilience and personality to make a real difference to children and young people with additional needs?I'm currently recruiting for a fantastic special school in Wolverhampton that is looking for a Teaching Assistant to join their team for two full days per week, ideally Mondays and Fridays.This is a genuinely lovely school and the type of setting I'm always really happy to recruit for. It has a warm, welcoming feel, a strong sense of community and a team of staff who genuinely care about the pupils they support.About the schoolThe school provides a specialist environment for children and young people with additional and complex needs, with staff working closely together to give every pupil the opportunity to learn, communicate, develop their independence and enjoy being at school.It's very much a child-centred environment. Staff take the time to understand each pupil as an individual, including how they communicate, what motivates them, what they find challenging and what support helps them get the most from their day.And that's one of the things I really like about special schools. Progress isn't measured in exactly the same way for every child.For one pupil, a huge achievement might be completing a piece of work independently. For another, it might be communicating what they need, managing a transition between activities, joining in with their classmates or feeling settled enough to engage in learning.Those smaller milestones can actually be enormous achievements.The type of person it takes to work in a special schoolI think it's really important to be honest that working in a special school isn't for everyone.It takes a particular type of person.There will be brilliant days, funny moments and times when you go home knowing you've genuinely made a difference. There can also be challenging days when a pupil is struggling to regulate their emotions, communicate what they need or cope with something that has changed in their routine.That's when the right Teaching Assistant really matters.You'll need to be:

• Patient and calm - some pupils need more time to process, communicate or understand what is being asked of them.
• Resilient - you need to be able to manage more challenging moments without taking things personally and come back with the same positive approach.
• Nurturing - pupils need to know that the adults around them are consistent, safe and supportive.
• Flexible - something that works brilliantly with one child may not work at all with another.
• Observant - sometimes communication isn't verbal, so being able to recognise changes in behaviour, body language or routine can be really important.
• Positive - you need to be someone who notices and celebrates progress, however small it might initially appear.
• A team player - in a special school, Teaching Assistants, teachers and wider professionals work closely together around each child.
• Able to encourage independence - it's not about doing everything for a pupil. It's about giving them the right support to gradually do more for themselves.

Above everything else, you need to genuinely want to be there for the children.You don't necessarily need to know everything about SEND from day one. Experience is obviously valuable, but so is attitude. Some of the best Teaching Assistants are those who are willing to learn, aren't easily fazed and can be warm, consistent and encouraging even on the more difficult days.What will you be doing?You'll work alongside teachers and other support staff to help pupils access learning and get the most from their school day.This could include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support
• Helping pupils engage with lessons and activities
• Supporting pupils with SEND and additional needs
• Encouraging communication and social interaction
• Helping pupils develop their confidence and independence
• Supporting pupils with emotional regulation
• Providing consistency and reassurance throughout the school day
• Adapting your approach depending on the individual pupil
• Working closely with the teacher and wider classroom team
• Celebrating those all-important achievements and milestones

This is much more than simply sitting alongside a pupil in a classroom.You'll have the opportunity to help children build skills that can make a genuine difference to their confidence, communication, independence and everyday life.Working pattern Wolverhampton 2 full school days per week Ideally Mondays and FridaysThis could be a brilliant role if you're looking to reduce your working week, return to education or simply want a regular two-day position within a specialist setting.Interested?If you've read this and thought "this sounds like me," I'd really like to hear from you.I'm particularly interested in speaking to people who have worked with children or young people with additional needs, whether that's within a special school, mainstream SEND provision, resource base, alternative provision or another relevant setting.Apply through the advert or text me, Claire, on , and I can tell you more about the opportunity.

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