General Teaching Assistant with SEN Allowance
Location: Childhaven Community Nursery School, Scarborough
Contract: Fixed term until July 2027 as a minimum (Contract is fixed term due to pupil need)
Hourly Rate: Grade CD, £13.28 - £13.47 +SEN allowance
Hours/ Working Pattern: 22.4 paid hours per week, 11:00am – 3:30pm, Monday – Friday, Term time only
Closing Date: 11:59pm Sunday 6th September 2026
Interview Date: Friday 11th September
Start Date: As soon as possible
A school with child led approaches at its heart
About Childhaven - Learning for Life
Here at Childhaven Community Nursery School we provide a vibrant, welcoming, and inspirational setting and serve the communities around Scarborough Town.
We were judged to be OUTSTANDING by Ofsted in 2012,2015, 2019, and then again in 2024! We are a forward thinking, family friendly nursery school who like to stay at the cutting edge of best practice. Due to our success, we are a DfE Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, we share our practice and expertise with other settings across the region. We are one of only 3 maintained nursery schools in North Yorkshire and we offer children a unique start to their education.
We have recently been awarded the National Nurture Schools UK award and one of only a handful of local schools to be declared a nurture school. We take pride in nurturing each and every one of our children as well as all their families and also our school staff too.
Our learning environment and education provision that is offered to our 95 children on roll is second to none and our teaching assistants play an important part in school life. Our team ethos helps make our school welcoming, calm and purposeful.
We are continuously developing our specialist practice in supporting children with a wide range of additional needs and we pride ourselves in having the highest expectations for all children.
Nurture, Love & Care at Childhaven
- Curiosity Approach Accreditation - A culture of curiosity, awe, and wonder
- Hygge in the Early Years Accreditation - A culture rooted in love, kindness, nurturing, and self-care for children and staff - inspired by the Danish approach to living well.
- Nurture School – A focus on social and emotional needs and development
Our Opportunity
Due to an increase in support required for our pupils, we are looking for a special educational needs focused teaching assistant to join our team.
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact and support pupils in developing the essential foundations they need before starting primary school.
This post is particularly focused on working intensively with children who require support with communication and interaction.
Whether you are a newly qualified Teaching Assistant taking your first step into education or an experienced TA looking to specialise in SEN, this role offers an excellent opportunity to develop your skills and progress your career.
We encourage interest and applications from candidates who are interested in and would thrive in working within nursery education which offers reward, challenge and where no two days are the same.
Key Duties:
- Support pre planned learning and SEMH activities as directed by the teacher
- Interact with pupils in ways that support the development of their ability to think and learn
- Support pupils with special educational needs through assisting with the delivery of specific learning programmes
- Prepare classroom materials and learning areas, and undertake minor clerical duties e.g. photocopying and displaying pupils work
- Supervise groups / individual pupils as required
Essential Qualifications / Experience:
- An awareness of child/young person’s development and learning
- An understanding that children/Young people have differing needs
- Experience appropriate to working with children in a learning environment (This could be through qualification training placements, volunteering or employment)
- Level 2 qualification / GCSE or equivalent (Level 2 Childcare or TA qualifications may be an advantage)
We can offer you
- A warm, happy school where we value everyone and have a philosophy of kindness and support for each other. Our approach is not always conventional but has the impact our children need- and deserve.
- Happy, enthusiastic and well-behaved children.
- A school with exciting and attractive learning environments and where no two days are the same.
- A school who puts nurture for staff and children at the forefront.
- A place where children’s dreams come true.
- A forward-thinking school who will be committed to your own professional development and provide you with many opportunities to advance in your Early Years career.
If you think you would enjoy a job where every day brings you joy, please get in touch with us!
Queries / Visits
Informal chats about the role are welcomed and encouraged. Unable to visit? View our video of our nursery on our Facebook page.
Please contact Chloe Bullen via chloe.bullen@northyorks.gov.uk
Chloe has been engaged to support us with recruiting to this exciting opportunity.
We have the right to close this role early. Applications may be assessed ahead of the closing date.
Application Process
Please apply via NYC Jobs
An email will be sent to shortlisted candidates with details of the interview process / shortlisting outcome.
We do not accept CV’s
Please contact us if you need to apply in a different format.
When applying please take into account the following:
Employment History
In line with KCSIE requirements, please complete your full employment history to ensure any gaps in your education and career history are accounted for.
Suitable References
When completing your application, please provide two employment referees. Generally, this should be your current and most recent Headteacher or line manager. Please note if your former Headteacher or line manager has since left, please use an alternative current senior staff member as they need to be in post at your former location to be able to confirm your details in full.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept personal references or personal email addresses.
Please get in touch for any queries if you are unsure.
Supporting Information
The supporting information section of your application should clearly evidence your ability to meet the requirements we have outlined in the job description & person specification. This will be used to shortlist applicants for this role and therefore it is imperative that you provide evidence as requested.
We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We have a robust child protection policy and all staff will receive training relevant to their role at induction and throughout employment at the school. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Please note this post is in regulated activity and exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS criminal records and barred list check for work with children. An online search may be undertaken as part of the recruitment process on information available in the public domain. Candidates should disclose anything that may be relevant in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies and process applications on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes. Further information on how we process your data can be found here.
General Teaching Assistant with SEN Allowance
Posted: 24/08/2026
Closing date: 06/09/2026
Closing time: 23:59