Job Application Pack

EACHING ASSISTANSEND Teacher / Specialist

Closing Date for Applications: 18 May 2026

OUR SCHOOL

Thank you for your interest in Newland House School. Our welcoming Pre-Prep and Prep School sits on a 5-acre site in a quiet residential area on the edge of Twickenham and Teddington in South West London. Established in 1897, Newland House is one of the oldest and largest Independent Prep Schools for children aged 3-13 in the area.

We are passionate about inspiring a life-long love of learning and bringing out the brilliance in every child. Our curriculum is innovative, broad and ambitious, giving every child the opportunity to explore their academic, sporting, and creative passions. We are committed to supporting each pupil's unique learning journey, and our dedicated teachers and staff continuously seek fresh ideas to enhance learning experiences both in the classroom and beyond.

Ensuring the happiness and wellbeing of our pupils is core to all we do. We want every single child in our school to feel safe, valued and cared for and visitors, parents and children consistently comment on the positive, happy, and vibrant atmosphere at our School.

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced Nurturing SEND teacher / specialist to work 1:1 with a receptionaged pupil who presents with sensory processing needs and social, behavioural and emotional regulation challenges.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the pupil’s learning, emotional regulation, communication, and engagement within the early years environment.

This role requires a calm, creative, and proactive practitioner with the ability to adapt approaches, build strong relationships, and implement structured support strategies tailored to individual needs.

The ideal candidate will be required to work under the guidance of the Head of EYFS and Head of Learning Enrichment .

Newland House and the Learning Enrichment team pride ourselves in creating a fully inclusive and safe setting, where all children thrive.

We set high standards of learning for all the children in a caring and supportive environment, and you will help to promote our ethos in encouraging enquiring minds and building pupil’s strengths, interests and experiences. We pride ourselves in fostering excellent home/school relationships with parents and the candidate will be expected to have strong communication skills.

In addition, they will be required to set and maintain high educational and moral standards, undertake other appropriate duties as may be required, participate in and support the school in all its many and varied activities.

FURTHER DETAILS

Application period closes: 9.00 am on Monday 18 May 2026

Interviews: shortly after the advert closes

Employment Commences: September 2026

Salary: Competitive remuneration package (teacher scale), commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Hours: Full-time

Contract: Term time (33 weeks), plus attendance at mandatory inset days.

Please note: This position is specifically tied to the pupils’ attendance at our school. Consequently, the role will conclude if/when the pupils leaves the setting.

If you are enthusiastic about making a meaningful difference in a child's educational journey, we would love to hear from you!

We welcome any discussions regarding this role or any other queries you may have.

We welcome early applications and reserve the right to interview and make an appointment prior to the closing date.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Main duties and responsibilities

Provide individualised learning support to a child in Reception who presents with sensory processing needs and social, behavioural and emotional regulation challenges.

Work closely with the class teacher, SENCo, parents and external professionals to plan and deliver targeted interventions and support strategies.

Implement and review individual learning plans, sensory regulation plans and behaviour support programmes, following the SEND process of Assess - Plan - Do - Review and ensuring advice from external agencies is effectively implemented.

Adapt and prepare learning materials and curriculum activities to ensure accessibility, engagement and meaningful progress.

Support the pupil in developing social skills, emotional regulation and positive behaviour, modelling appropriate strategies and maintaining high expectations.

Promote the pupil’s overall progress, wellbeing and inclusion within the classroom and wider school community.

Monitor the pupil’s progress, strengths and areas for development, maintaining accurate records and contributing to assessments, reviews and reports.

Provide regular feedback to teaching staff and parents, supporting open communication about the pupil’s wellbeing, learning and development.

Assist with classroom organisation and management, helping to create a positive, structured and inclusive learning environment.

Maintain high educational, behavioural and moral standards, supporting positive behaviour and encouraging respectful relationships among pupils.

Support the health, safety and welfare of pupils, maintaining constant awareness of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities and reporting concerns in line with school policies.

Be vigilant in preventing bullying and respond promptly to incidents in accordance with the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy.

JOB DESCRIPTION cont.

Other Duties:

• Contribute actively to the Early Years team and wider school community.

Attend relevant training and professional development to support ongoing learning and effectiveness in the role.

• Act as a positive role model for pupils and colleagues, upholding the school’s values and expectations.

• Adhere to the school’s policies, procedures and Code of Conduct.

Support the school in promoting a welcoming and inclusive ethos to current and prospective families.

Contribute to the school’s development priorities and wider initiatives where appropriate.

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Headteacher in support of the effective running of the school.

THECANDIDATE

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) (desirable)

• Relevant SEND, Early Years, or Child Development qualifications

• Training in sensory integration / sensory circuits

Experience

Experience in SEND, particularly supporting children with sensory needs, communication needs, ASD profiles, or behavioural challenges

• Experience teaching or supporting Early Years/Reception-age children

Experience differentiating learning and implementing tailored support strategies

Experience working collaboratively with colleagues, parents, and external professionals

Experience with visual supports, PECS, Makaton, or other augmentative communication tools

• Experience using positive behaviour support models

Experience collaborating with Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, or Educational Psychologists

Skills

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Ability to build strong, trusting relationships with children and families

• Patient, nurturing, and resilient approach

Strong organisational skills and the ability to maintain clear records

Ability to create a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment

Ability to model emotional regulation, social skills, and behaviour strategies for pupils

Ability to support and mentor other staff in SEND practice

Knowledge

Strong understanding of child development, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and attachment-informed practice

• Knowledge of the SEND Assess-Plan-Do-Review cycle

Awareness of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities, including Anti-Bullying practices

Understanding of inclusive education and Early Years pedagogical approaches

Knowledge of evidence-based SEND interventions and behaviour support strategies

Understanding of relevant SEND legislation and guidance (e.g., SEND Code of Practice)

THE CANDIDATE cont.

Personal competencies and qualities

• Motivation to support and inspire children with additional needs.

• Ability to form and maintain positive, trusting relationships and appropriate boundaries with children and families.

Emotional resilience when working with a range of challenging or complex situations.

• Positive attitude to maintaining structure, routines, and behaviour support.

• Commitment to the school, its ethos, aims and values.

• Ability to motivate self and others, including pupils and colleagues.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including liaising effectively with parents, staff, governors, and external professionals.

• Ability to take initiative and adapt to changing situations and pupil needs.

• Empathy, patience, and a nurturing approach to support children’s wellbeing and development.

• Reflective on own practice and committed to continuous professional development.

• High personal integrity and professionalism.

• Sense of humour and positivity to create a joyful, engaging, and inclusive learning environment.

Candidates should ensure that they address all of the above criteria in their application form, referring, where appropriate, to actual experience. In addition, the interview will explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

WHY WORK AT NEWLAND HOUSE SCHOOL

Generous pay and allowances – based on skills and experience.

Pension – teaching and non-teaching staff enjoy a generous employer contribution pension scheme.

Longer holidays – than the maintained sector for teachers (19 weeks) and a minimum of 25 days for full-time nonteaching staff plus bank holidays and additional time at Christmas.

Staff fee remission – all staff are eligible for fee remission after successful completion of probation. The continuance and value of the school fee remission is at the discretion of the Governors.

Enhanced sick and maternity/paternity pay

Flexible and generous time off work policy – special leave, time off for dependents and appointments.

Lunches and refreshments – lunches and refreshments are provided by the school to all members of staff, free of charge during term time.

Flexible working options – job share and part-time.

Cycle to work scheme – purchase bicycles and equipment at a tax advantageous rate and pay for the equipment over 12 months.

Career personal development – training and career development opportunities are available for all teaching and non-teaching staff. There are many opportunities to take on additional responsibilities. Financial and other support with obtaining relevant professional qualifications.

Continuous appraisal process – to ensure staff get regular feedback.

iPads – all teaching staff are given iPads for their teaching and assessment and nonteaching staff when required as part of their role.

Staff social committee – organise an exciting programme of socialising events including quiz nights, karaoke, theatre trips, golfing weekends and many more.

Staff reps forum – an opportunity to get your voice heard.

Safeguarding

Newland House School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process in accordance with the guidelines of the government document, Keeping Children Safe in Education. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Newland House School values diversity, equity and inclusion for its pupils and staff. We want our community to feel valued and respected, so we are working hard to build an inclusive culture which celebrates diversity in different forms to reflect the community we serve. We believe that having a diverse workforce offers different perspectives which helps us to work towards our shared vision and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply to join our School.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employees will be required to support and encourage the school’s ethos and its objectives, policies and procedures as agreed by the governing body.

Employees shall uphold the school’s policy in respect of child protection and safeguarding matters.

Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

All members of staff are required to participate in the school’s appraisal scheme.

The job description is current at the date shown, but in consultation with you, may be changed by the Head to reflect or anticipate changes in the job commensurate with the grade and job title.

It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks but sets out the main expectations of school in relation to post-holder’s professional responsibilities and duties.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates should pay attention to the summary of the role/person specification and explain within their application how they meet the criteria, whilst also describing what they will bring to the post from their own knowledge and experience.

Completed applications with a covering letter should be sent to the HR Manager by the closing date.
No CVs will be accepted.

We welcome early applications and reserve the right to interview and make an appointment prior to the closing date.

Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis, and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close the advert early depending on the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. We will only be contacting those candidates who have been selected to progress to the next stage of the process.

Please note that referees will be contacted prior to the interview.

If you would like an informal confidential discussion regarding this role prior to application then please contact HR Manager, Karen Seager via email on kseager@newlandhouse.net