Teaching Assistants – SEND

Fred Nicholson School, Swaffham, PE37 7BB

21 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  9 November 2026 at 12am (midnight)

• Date listed

  19 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £26,847 - £27,274 FTE

Teaching Assistants – SEND job summary

Tel: 01760 693915

Email:  hr@frednicholson.norfolk.sch.uk

Website:   https://www.frednicholson.norfolk.sch.uk

Headteacher: Heidi Philpott

• Salary – Scale D, £26,847-£27,274 FTE
• Permanent
• Part Time
• 32.25 hours per week
• Term Time plus 1 week

                                          

Join the Team at Fred Nicholson School

Make a real difference in the lives of amazing young people.

Are you ready for an opportunity that truly matters? We are looking for dedicated SEND Teaching Assistants to join our friendly, supportive, and imaginative team. Whether you’re an experienced educator or someone with a passion for SEN looking to start a new career, we’d love to hear from you.

A Teaching Assistant role at FNS is incredibly varied, you will find no two days are the same. You will work in a team, supporting our young people across several key areas: learning, communication, self-care, social interaction, and self-regulation.

Is This Role for You?

We are looking for people who are:

• Ready to make a difference to pupils with complex needs (pupils aged 4 –18).
• Looking for opportunities to learn: You’ll join a team that values professional development and growth.
• Adaptable and kind: Our pupils succeed when they have consistent, caring adults by their sides.
• Resilient and positive: A good sense of humour and a positive outlook are a must.

Life at Fred Nicholson

Fred Nicholson School is a Complex Needs School for pupils aged 4-18 with a wide range of needs, including complex and severe learning difficulties as well as social interaction and communication difficulties. All pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan and access a practical, hands-on curriculum (based on EYFS and primary models). Our classes are approximately 8 to 12 pupils per class, with a focus on engagement and success. 

You will be joining the school at a very exciting time in the school’s history as we embark on our new life in Swaffham.

Our New Environment:

Our purpose-built site on Lynn Road is designed to meet the complex needs of our pupils, featuring:

• Purpose-built provision for pupils aged 4-18 years
• Bespoke, sensory-designed learning spaces
• Large outside facilities, including play equipment, a MUGA and a forest school
• Dedicated soft play, sensory enrichment and independence classrooms

Hours & Salary

Here is what the week looks like:

Schedule: 32.25 hours pw (Term time + 1 week)

Daily: M/W/Th (08:45–15:30), Tue (08:45–16:45), Fri (08:45-15:15)

Salary: Scale D (£26,847 - £27,274 FTE)

Flexibility: Part-time (fewer days) considered if full daily hours are met

We Invest in You

Don't worry if you haven't worked in a school before. If you have the heart for it, we provide:

• A full staff induction programme
• Ongoing Whole School CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
• Specialist training appropriate to your specific role

Please contact - hr@frednicholson.norfolk.sch.uk for an opportunity to arrange a meeting with Heidi Philpott, Head Teacher, to discuss the role further or to arrange a visit to the school.

How to apply

A job description is available from ‘Attachments’.

To download an application form, click on the ‘Apply for Job’ button. Use Section 10 (Personal Statement) to tell us why you are interested in joining us and please state clearly that you can work the required hours.

Completed forms should be returned to Claire Townly at - hr@frednicholson.norfolk.sch.uk

We will be reviewing applications as they come in, and promising candidates may be invited for interview before the closing date. 

Closing date:    9 November 2026, 9am

Interview date:   17 November 2026

Fred Nicholson School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; an enhanced DBS check is required for all successful candidates.

This post is likely to come under the requirements of the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations and the successful applicant will be required to complete a declaration form to establish whether they are disqualified under these regulations.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and you will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced DBS check with barred list. If you have information to declare it may be protected under the Exceptions Orders and you may not be required to declare it. You will be asked to make a criminal conviction declaration if you are shortlisted for the post. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

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 Fred Nicholson School

• Organisation type: Special school, ages 3 to 19
• Size: 195 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Fred Nicholson School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/fred-nicholson-school

School location

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