1:1 SEND Teaching Assistant - Year 1

• 1:1 SEND Teaching Assistant
• Primary School
• Croydon
• Full-time
• Long-term Contract
• September 2026 – July 2027
• Competitive Daily Rate

We are seeking a caring, patient and enthusiastic SEND Teaching Assistant to join a welcoming primary school in Croydon this September. This is a full-time, long-term opportunity to provide dedicated 1:1 support for a delightful Year 1 pupil with Down syndrome.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys building meaningful relationships and wants to make a genuine difference to a child's educational journey. The successful candidate will become an important part of the child's daily routine, helping them to access learning, develop independence and thrive both socially and academically.

The Role

You will work exclusively with one Year 1 pupil throughout the school day, supporting them in the classroom, during playtimes and across the wider school environment.

The pupil is a happy, affectionate and engaging child who enjoys coming to school and has excellent behaviour. They can communicate using British Sign Language (BSL); however, prior knowledge of BSL is not essential, as support and guidance will be provided. A willingness to learn and communicate using the child's preferred methods is more important than previous experience.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing consistent 1:1 support throughout the school day.
• Helping the pupil access classroom learning through adapted resources and personalised support.
• Encouraging communication, confidence and independence.
• Working closely with the class teacher, SENDCO and external professionals to implement the child's support plan.
• Supporting the pupil during transitions, breaktimes and wider school activities.
• Assisting with personal care when required, ensuring the child's dignity and wellbeing are always maintained.
• Building a positive, trusting relationship with the pupil while promoting inclusion within the classroom.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for someone who is kind, reliable and passionate about supporting children with additional needs.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience working with children with SEND in a school, nursery, care or similar setting (preferred but not essential).
• A calm, patient and nurturing approach.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• The ability to use initiative and adapt to the child's individual needs.
• A genuine commitment to helping every child achieve their full potential.

Experience supporting children with Down syndrome or using British Sign Language (BSL) would be advantageous but is not a requirement. Full support will be available for the right candidate.

The School

You'll be joining a friendly and inclusive two-form entry primary school that prides itself on creating a caring environment where every child is encouraged to achieve their very best. With a strong sense of community, dedicated staff and a values-led approach centred around respect, care, empathy and aspiration, the school offers a welcoming place to work and learn. Staff work collaboratively to ensure all pupils feel supported, included and able to flourish, making it an excellent environment for both experienced and aspiring SEND professionals.

If you're looking for a rewarding role where you can make a lasting impact on a child's life while becoming part of a supportive school community, we would love to hear from you. Apply today to be considered for this opportunity.

We have a policy to respond to all applications within three working days. However, because of the volume of applications, we are sometimes unable to reply to individual enquiries. If we have not contacted you within this specified time your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Philosophy Education is a Recruitment Business and is advertising this vacancy on behalf of one of its clients.