Teaching Assistant Level 4 (SEN) - PE & Sports Coach

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Teaching Assistant Level 4 (HLTA) – PE & Sports Coach to join our fantastic team at Pear Tree High School.

This is a Grade 6, permanent post working 35 hours per week, term time only plus 4 weeks. The starting salary is £30,700 and the full time equivalent is £33,143. This role will be started once the pre-employment checks are complete.

Pear Tree High School is a purpose-built SEND school at the heart of Cheadle Hulme, dedicated to providing an outstanding education for students with significant learning needs. Our state-of-the-art facilities cater to pupils from Key Stage 3 through to post-16, offering an environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

At Pear Tree, we work in partnership with parents, carers, our multi-academy trust, the local authority, and other agencies to ensure every student reaches their full potential. Our curriculum is tailored to equip young people with the skills needed for success at school, college, and beyond, while enriching experiences help them understand the wider world and become effective, confident citizens.

The Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic, resilient, and motivated Teaching Assistant Level 4 with a passion for sport, physical wellbeing, and inclusive education to join our team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced sports coach, HLTA, or Teaching Assistant to play a leading role in delivering PE, physical activity, and wider sports provision across the school. Working alongside teachers and leaders, you will help deliver engaging, accessible, and adapted PE lessons and enrichment activities that meet the diverse needs of our learners.

The successful candidate will work with pupils across Key Stages 3 to Post-16, supporting individuals, small groups, and whole classes under an agreed scheme of supervision. You will help promote physical wellbeing, teamwork, resilience, confidence, and positive behaviour through a creative and inclusive approach to sport and physical activity.

This role may also include delivering whole-class sessions, short-term classroom cover, supporting interventions, and contributing to wider school enrichment opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver high-quality PE and sports activities across the school, adapting sessions to meet a range of SEND needs
• Support the planning, preparation, delivery, and assessment of learning activities and PE sessions
• Promote pupil engagement, inclusion, independence, and positive behaviour through physical activity
• Work with individuals, small groups, and whole classes under the direction of teaching staff
• Contribute to the development of an engaging and inclusive PE curriculum and enrichment offer
• Monitor, record, and report on pupil progress and participation
• Support pupils’ social, emotional, physical, and personal development
• Organise and maintain PE resources and equipment safely and effectively
• Support educational visits, sports events, enrichment activities, and extra-curricular opportunities
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, families, and external agencies to support pupils’ individual needs
• Model high expectations, professionalism, and positive relationships at all times
• Provide short-term classroom cover where required in line with the school’s scheme of supervision

What we offer

• A modern, purpose-built SEND school with excellent facilities
• A welcoming, supportive, and highly committed staff team
• Opportunities for high-quality professional development and training
• The opportunity to shape and develop PE and sport provision across the school
• A rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference to the lives of young people with SEND
• Access to Trust-wide collaboration and career development opportunities
• A strong commitment to staff wellbeing and inclusion

Essential criteria

• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above and NVQ Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification (or equivalent experience)
• Experience working with children or young people, ideally within a SEND, special school, or alternative provision setting
• Experience delivering sports coaching, PE, or physical activity programmes, with the ability to adapt activities to meet a range of individual needs
• Strong communication, teamwork, behaviour management, and organisational skills, with the ability to engage, motivate, and build positive relationships with young people
• Understanding of inclusive practice, including supporting pupils with communication, sensory, or behavioural needs
• Commitment to safeguarding, promoting the welfare of children and young people, and contributing positively to wider school life
• Relevant sports coaching qualifications or PE-related training

To find out more about the full responsibilities of the role and/or to ensure you meet the essential criteria, please review the attached job description.

How to Apply

To be considered please follow the online application process, early applications are encouraged. Interviews will take place in school shortly after the job is closed.

All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.