EYFS Teaching Assistant - Level 2

Abbey Infants' School, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 8JA

32 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  9 February 2026 at 8am

• Date listed

  7 January 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Early years
• Working pattern: Full time: 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday. Term Time only
• Contract type: Fixed term - Ending 31 August 2026
• Full-time equivalent salary: Between £29540 - £31022
• Hourly rate: £15.31 - £16.08 per hour

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for an enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our vibrant Early Years Foundation Stage team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a practitioner who is passionate about the crucial early years of a child’s development and wants to work within a supportive, energetic classroom environment.

The role involves supporting our youngest learners as they begin their educational journey. You will work in our EYFS setting, assisting with the delivery of the curriculum, supporting small groups with foundational skills, and helping to create a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.

The successful candidate will be confident and passionate about working with early years students. We are looking for an individual who is:

• A Collaborative Team Player: Someone who works seamlessly with teachers and colleagues to ensure a high-quality learning experience for all pupils.
• Flexible and Adaptable: Ready to meet the changing needs of a dynamic EYFS environment and willing to help in all areas of the classroom, including extra-curricular activities.
• An Excellent Communicator: Able to build strong, positive relationships with pupils, staff, and parents through clear and professional communication.
• EYFS Understanding: Possesses a background or understanding of the EYFS framework, phonics, early mathematics and play-based learning.
• Resilient: Maintains a "can-do" attitude and works well under pressure in a fast-paced school setting.

What the school offers its staff

By joining our team, you will be part of a community that truly values professional growth and wellbeing. We offer:

• A Wonderful Environment: A warm, collaborative and supportive place to work and learn.
• Engaged Learners: Happy and welcoming pupils with an excellent behaviour and a thirst for knowledge.
• A Strong Community: Supportive staff, governors, and parents who share exciting visions for the future.
• Professional Growth: Access to high-quality Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and opportunities to work in collaboration with other schools across Darlington and within the Melrose Learning Trust.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Visits to the school are welcomed and will take place on Monday 19th January 2026 at 10am and Tuesday 20th January 2026 at 4pm. All completed application forms must be returned to Mrs C Rochester, School Business Manager by email to Claire.Rochester@abbeyschools.org.uk

Actual Salary based on a Term Time only contract £24864.51 - £26111.95

Commitment to safeguarding

Melrose Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to relevant vetting checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education Part 3, including an enhanced disclosure, satisfactory references, before an offer of employment is confirmed. All shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check as part of the safer recruitment process. Melrose Learning Trust welcomes a diverse population of both children and staff and is committed to promoting and developing equality of opportunity in all its functions.

Applying for the job

This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Upload additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

EYFS TA Jan 26 Advert.pdf - 193 KB (opens in new tab)

EYFS TA Job Description and Personal Specification.pdf - 267 KB (opens in new tab)

About Abbey Infants' School

• School type: Academy, ages 4 to 7
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 265 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 7
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Abbey Infants' School website
• Email address: claire.rochester@abbeyschools.org.uk
• Phone number: 01325 380748
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/abbey-infants-school-darlington

Abbey Infants and Junior schools are located on the same large site in the heart of Darlington. The infant and junior schools federated in 2007, sharing a leadership team and local governing body, before joining Melrose Learning Trust in February 2024.

With 631 pupils,Abbey Infants and Juniors are warm, inclusive family schools with a strong sense of community and a commitment to excellence for all children in our care. We aim to ensure that our children feel safe and happy and achieve their potential as unique individuals
and as learners.

Abbey is a learning community, which evolves and changes. We believe that education is about expanding our expectations and building on firm foundations. It is critical for our success that every learner is well equipped with a balance of social, moral and academic skills. We have excellent staff who are committed to providing unique, stimulating and interesting learning opportunities, which motivate our learners to apply their skills.

Our vision is to provide a high quality, relevant educational community which enables children to achieve their best in a safe, creative and exciting environment. All are valued and inspired to flourish and grow as individuals, leaving us believing anything is possible. Our aims reflect our beliefs and values; they represent our vision and what we want to achieve as a school community. We endeavour to move the schoolforward to meet the challenges of an ever changing world.

We are very proud that bothAbbey Infants (November 2022) andAbbey Juniors (June 2023) have both been judged by Ofsted as ‘Good’ schools. Inspectors identified that the curriculum is ‘broad, well-organised and ambitious’ and led by ‘passionate subject leaders’. Inspectors also highlighted that although the infant and junior schools are in separate buildings, ‘older pupils act as role models, supporting younger pupils in their play at lunchtime’.

We believe that Abbey is a place that offers excellent opportunities for children, parents,the community and our staff.

Arranging a visit to Abbey Infants' School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email claire.rochester@abbeyschools.org.uk.

School location

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