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Teaching Assistant - ESP

Drake Primary School, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1JW

15 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  12 October 2026

• Closing date

  1 October 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  16 September 2026

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Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 1, Key stage 2
• Working pattern: Full time: Monday to Friday, 0830-1530, term time plus one week (INSET days)
• Contract type: Permanent
• 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 join our newly established Enhanced SEN Provision (ESP) class. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop and share your skills working with children who have a range of SEND needs, supporting both their academic progress and pastoral development.

This is a pivotal moment to be part of something special. Our ESP provision is newly established, which means you'll have the unique opportunity to help shape and develop an innovative, meaningful provision from the ground up. You won't simply be implementing existing systems – you'll be actively contributing to building a centre of specialist practice and excellence within our school. This is a genuine chance to make a lasting impact and to influence how we support some of our most vulnerable learners.

You will work at the heart of inclusive practice, supporting pupils both within the specialist ESP classroom and in mainstream settings across the school. This dual role means you'll develop expertise in specialist interventions and approaches while also championing inclusion and belonging for pupils within the wider school community. You'll model high standards of practice, working collaboratively with teachers and support staff to embed inclusive principles throughout Drake Primary.

Our approach is grounded in building strong, secure relationships and an attitude of unconditional positive regard for all pupils. We believe that when children feel genuinely seen, valued, and understood, they thrive. In this role, you'll be central to creating that relational foundation – getting to know each pupil deeply, understanding their strengths and needs, and supporting them to grow in confidence, independence, and achievement.

You'll have access to ongoing professional development and the chance to build specialist knowledge in areas such as zones of regulation, speech and language support, and sensory approaches. Working alongside experienced colleagues and leadership who are invested in your development, you'll grow professionally and develop a genuine career in education.

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

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

Please complete the online application.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

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

ESP Teaching Assistant Job Spec and Description.docx - 4.06 MB (opens in new tab)

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: kroberts@drake.norfolk.sch.uk
• Phone number: 01842762055
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/drake-primary-school

Arranging a visit to Drake Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email kroberts@drake.norfolk.sch.uk.

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