Teaching Assistant

Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale D: £22,374 to £22,729 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£25,583 - £25,989 full time/full year equivalent)

Full Time: 37 hours per week

Working Weeks: 39 weeks

Start Date: October 2026

Teaching Assistant - Supporting Every Child to Thrive

Are you passionate about helping young people develop their skills, confidence and creativity? We have an exciting opportunity for a Teaching Assistant to join our committed and hardworking team at Jane Austen College, supporting our pupils to achieve their full potential. This is an opportunity to be part of a collaborative community who are dedicated to ensuring pupils develop the knowledge and character needed to lead great lives.

Working under the guidance of teaching and senior staff, you will support pupils both individually and in groups, helping them access learning and develop practical skills. You will work closely with teachers and the wider SEND team to ensure pupils receive the support they need to succeed. You will be responsible for supporting effective pastoral care to support pupils' social and emotional progress as well as their learning.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting pupils’ learning and development through structured activities, interventions and targeted support programmes.
• Working with individuals and groups of pupils, including those with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) or English as an Additional Language (EAL), to help them access learning and achieve their potential.
• Monitoring pupil progress, recording achievements and providing feedback to teachers and the SEND team.
• Delivering agreed interventions focused on areas such as literacy, numeracy, speech and language, emotional literacy and social skills.
• Supporting positive behaviour through effective classroom management and the use of appropriate de-escalation strategies.
• Assisting teachers with classroom activities, resource preparation and the effective use of ICT and learning technologies.
• Supporting pupils during assessments, examinations, trips and other activities as required.
• Building positive relationships with pupils, parents, colleagues and external professionals to support pupil wellbeing and inclusion.
• Maintaining accurate records of support provided and contributing to SEND reviews and pupil progress discussions.

About You:

You will be a caring, patient and committed individual who enjoys working with children and supporting their educational journey. You will have the ability to build positive relationships with pupils and adults, work effectively as part of a team and adapt your approach to meet individual needs. You will also be enthusiastic about helping pupils develop confidence, independence and practical learning skills, while ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive.

Experience of working in a secondary education setting would be an advantage.

Essential:

• Good numeracy/literacy skills
• Experience of working with or caring for children of relevant age
• Basic understanding of child development and learning
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, confidentiality and the importance of supporting pupil wellbeing.
• Ability to evaluate learning needs
• Ability to relate well to children and adults and build positive relationships.
• Ability to use ICT effectively to support learning.

Desirable:

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification in Teaching Assistance, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience or training in delivering specific interventions, such as literacy, numeracy, speech and language or emotional wellbeing programmes.
• Experience of working with pupils with SEND
• First aid training or experience supporting pupils with medical needs.

Why Join Inspiration Trust

At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You’ll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation. We provide opportunities for growth and empower you to make a real impact in schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. As part of our thriving network of talented teachers, leaders, and support staff, you’ll receive a varied professional development programme designed to help you be the best you can be.

We offer:

• Generous annual leave, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with excellent employer contributions
• Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs *
• Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology). *
• Free parking at most sites
• Personalised CPD and development programmes
• A structured and specific induction programme.

*Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.

About Us

Jane Austen College opened in 2014 as a flagship free school of the Inspiration Trust, with a focus on English and Humanities. Since then, it has grown from serving just two-year groups to become a full 11-18 school of over 1,000 pupils.

In May 2024, the college was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in all inspection areas, including leadership, behaviour and sixth form provision. Inspectors noted that pupils benefit from “exceptional academic education, excellent pastoral support and a character curriculum building life skills to see them succeed in progressing to some of the top universities in the country and into prosperous careers.”

The college prides itself on ensuring that all pupils, regardless of background or disadvantage, have access to powerful knowledge and transformative extracurricular experiences, as well as strong mental health and wellbeing support.

We are part of the Inspiration Trust; a thriving family of schools across Norfolk and North Suffolk, recognised nationally for pupil progress and excellence in teaching and leadership. We believe every young person deserves the best education, regardless of background. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.

The Trust offers extensive networks and opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to delivering outstanding professional and learning opportunities for all staff, supported by a rich programme of continuing professional development led by some of the country’s leading educational thinkers and practitioners.

For information on what it is like to live and work in Norwich, click here.

Next Steps

Before applying, please read the attached Recruitment Pack and Job Description, for more details about the role. We ask that you read this pack carefully, especially the “Planning your application” section from page 11. This will support your application ensuring you have the opportunity to tell us about your relevant skills, experience and qualifications that relate to the job description a