Teaching Assistant (BSL Specialist)

The Parkside School, Norwich, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 3JA

16 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  17 June 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  1 June 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £13.47 - £13.68 Hourly Scale D point 6-7

Teaching Assistant (BSL Specialist) job summary

Job Opportunity: Teaching Assistant (BSL Specialist) from September 2026

The Parkside School, Norwich

Scale: Grace D (point 6 -7) Appox £25,989 - £26,403

Hours: 33 hours per week | Term Time + 1 week

Schedule:

Mon 8:45 - 15:45

Tues 8:45 - 16:30

Wed 8:45 - 15:45

Thurs 8:45 - 15:45

Fri 8:45 - 15:30

Contract: Permanent

The Role

At The Parkside School, we believe that communication is the foundation of independence. We are looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our team, specifically to provide communication support for a pupil learning British Sign Language (BSL).

While you will be an integral part of the classroom team, your specific expertise will ensure this pupil can fully access the curriculum, build social connections, and develop their voice within our school community.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Communication Support: Provide high-quality BSL support to a specific pupil, ensuring they are engaged and included in all classroom activities.

Curriculum Access: Work alongside the Class Teacher to adapt learning materials, making them visually accessible and linguistically appropriate.

Collaborative Working: Join the wider staff for weekly meetings and development (including our Tuesday afternoon session) to ensure a consistent approach to the pupil’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) goals.

Holistic Care: Support the pupil’s self-regulation and independence, helping them to "Learn, Grow, and Thrive" in line with our school vision.

Person Specification

BSL Skills: You must hold a minimum of BSL Level 1 (Level 2 is highly desirable) and be confident in your ability to sign fluently in a fast-paced classroom environment.

Experience: Previous experience working with children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is essential.

Commitment: You should be a team player with a "can-do" attitude and a genuine passion for inclusive education.

Working Hours & Pay

This is a Term Time plus 1 week contract. Your standard working 6.5hrs, with the exception of Tuesdays, where you will work until 4:30 pm to facilitate staff collaboration and professional development.

The post is paid at Grade D, reflecting the specialist nature of the communication support required for this role.

The Parkside School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

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.

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

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Parkside School, Norwich

• School type: Special schools, Does not apply, ages 7 to 18
• School size: 189 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 7 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Parkside School, Norwich website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-parkside-school-norwich

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