1:1 Teaching Assistant
Drake Primary School, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1JW15 days remaining to apply
Job start date
12 October 2026
Closing date
1 October 2026 at 9am
Date listed
16 September 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 1
Working pattern
- Full time: Monday to Friday, 0830-1515, term time plus one week (INSET days)
Contract type
- Fixed term - until 31.08.2027
Full time equivalent salary
- £26,847
What skills and experience we're looking for
We're seeking an excellent, enthusiastic, and committed Teaching Assistant to work in a 1:1 capacity with a pupil with special educational needs. This is a profound opportunity to make a transformative difference in one child's life – to be the consistent, trusted adult who truly knows them, understands their needs, and supports them to grow in confidence, independence, and achievement.
Working 1:1 is distinctive and deeply rewarding. You'll develop an intimate understanding of your pupil – their strengths, interests, triggers, communication style, and individual way of learning. This close relationship becomes the foundation for everything: it enables you to anticipate their needs, respond sensitively to their emotions, and celebrate their progress in ways that truly matter to them. You're not just supporting their learning in the moment – you're building their sense of belonging, their belief in themselves, and their place in the school community.
You'll support this pupil both within our newly established Enhanced SEN Provision (ESP) class and in mainstream settings across the school. This dual role is crucial: you'll provide intensive, tailored support where needed while also championing inclusion and enabling the pupil to participate meaningfully in the wider school community. You'll model high standards of practice and help peers, teachers, and other staff understand how to support this young person effectively.
Our approach is grounded in building strong, secure relationships and an attitude of unconditional positive regard. We believe that when a child feels genuinely understood, valued, and safe, they're able to learn, grow, and thrive. In this role, you'll be central to creating that relational foundation – the person they trust, the voice that advocates for them, the presence that helps them navigate their day.
This role includes supporting the pupil's medical needs and working closely with our pastoral team to understand and manage these sensitively. You'll be part of a collaborative team – working with the class teacher, specialists, parents, and other staff – to implement their individual support plan and EHCP. Your observations, feedback, and understanding of the pupil will be vital in shaping their provision and celebrating their progress.
You'll have access to professional development and specialist training in areas such as emotion coaching, zones of regulation, speech and language support, and sensory approaches. Working alongside experienced colleagues and leadership who are invested in your development, you'll build genuine expertise in supporting children with complex needs.
This is a fixed-term position until 31st August 2027, offering a defined commitment with the chance to really make a difference in this child's school year and beyond. You'll leave a lasting impact on their journey.
What the school offers its staff
Drake Primary School is a passionate, driven, and successful school dedicated to ensuring the progress and life chances of every child. We're looking for enthusiastic and skilled staff who share our commitment to pupil welfare and achievement. Our warm and friendly school community is underpinned by strong relationships and an attitude of unconditional positive regard for all our pupils. This is a place where you'll feel genuinely supported by leadership, pastoral teams, and colleagues alike.
- A passionate, driven and successful school where you will feel well supported in your role by the leadership team, pastoral team and the wider warm and friendly staff team
- A caring ethos with enthusiastic and skilled staff who are highly aspirational and committed to pupil welfare, progress and life-chances
- Wellbeing support using a range of tools, including the online platform WellBe
- Excellent continuous professional development and career enhancement opportunities.
- Well-resourced facilities for ICT, outdoor learning and music / arts provision
- On-site parking, including electric charging points
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Please complete the online application.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Apply for this jobAdditional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Drake Primary School
- Organisation type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- Size
- 413 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- Drake Primary School website
- Email address
- headspa@drake.norfolk.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01842 762055
Arranging a visit to Drake Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email headspa@drake.norfolk.sch.uk.
School location
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