1:1EYFS Teaching Assistant

Role: 1:1 Teaching Assistant (Early Years Foundation Stage / EYFS)

Location: Ashington, Northumberland

Contract: Full-time, temporary (Academic Year 2026/27)

Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday to Friday (Term time only)

Start Date: September 2026

Are you a compassionate, patient, and resilient individual looking to make a genuine difference in a child’s early education?

Our welcoming primary school in Ashington is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to provide 1:1 support for a wonderful pupil entering our Early Years (EYFS) setting this September. This pupil has Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and requires a consistent, supportive adult to help them navigate their school day, manage big emotions, and safely access their learning through play.

This is a full-time role commencing at the start of the academic year in September 2026, and is highly likely to run through to July 2027.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated 1:1 support to an EYFS pupil with SEMH needs, helping them build confidence and settle into school life.

• Implement tailored emotional support strategies, helping the pupil recognize, express, and self-regulate their feelings.

• Work closely with the class teacher and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) to deliver targeted intervention plans.

• Foster an inclusive, safe, and stimulating environment where the pupil can learn through play and structured activities.

• Build a positive, trusting relationship with the pupil, their family, and external support teams.

What We Are Looking For

• Experience: Ideally, you will have specific experience supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), particularly SEMH. However, we are very keen to hear from anyone with a strong background in general school support or early years environments who possesses the right attitude and empathy.

• Approach: A calm, patient, and nurturing demeanour. You should be resilient, adaptable, and able to remain grounded during challenging moments.

• Skills: A good understanding of how young children develop and the ability to use creative, play-based methods to keep a child engaged.

• Reliability: Consistency is vital for this pupil, so we need someone committed to the full standard school hours (8:30am – 3:30pm) for the entire academic year.

What Our School Offers

• A warm, inclusive, and deeply supportive staff team.

• Dedicated guidance and mentorship from our experienced SENCo and EYFS Lead.

• Opportunities for ongoing professional development and specialized SEMH training.

• A vibrant school community right in the heart of Ashington.

Safeguarding Note: Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and provide satisfactory references.