Classroom Assistant

Academy: Charles Darwin Primary

Category: Teaching Assistant

Start Date: February 2026

Closing Date: Wed, Dec 17, 2025

Job Weeks: 39 Weeks

Hours: 32.5 hours per week

Type: Fixed Term, Part Time

Job Reference: DEC

Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale C: £19,048 to £19,347 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£24,796 - £25,185 full time/full year equivalent)

Part Time: 32.5 hours per week over 5 days from Monday to Friday

Fixed Term: until 29th January 2027

Working Weeks: 39 weeks

Start Date: February 2026

Charles Darwin Primary are looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring Classroom Assistant (Maternity Cover) to join our team.

What You'll Be Doing

To work under the instruction/guidance of teaching/senior staff.

To undertake care and learning programmes and activities to support individuals or groups of pupils, including more specialised support for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or EAL (English as an Additional Language).

To enable access to learning for pupils and assist the teacher in the management of pupils and the classroom.

About You:

You will be an inspirational practitioner who is passionate about raising achievement through motivating and inspiring students, who will also be fully committed to the vision and values of the school. The role involves supporting children in the classroom and small group interventions to support children to make accelerated progress. You should be able to work effectively as part of a team, following the direction of the teachers, as well as working under your own initiative.

Essential:

Good numeracy and literacy skills

Experience of working with or caring for children of relevant age.

Experience of leading interventions to support learning

Ability to use a range of relevant technology.

Desirable:

Experience supporting children with high needs SEND and behaviour needs.

Experience supporting children with EAL.

First Aid training.

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

Charles Darwin Primary School and Nursery is a free school located in the heart of Norwich which opened in September 2016 and inspected by Ofsted in April 2025. This is the first ungraded inspection since Ofsted judged the school to be outstanding for overall effectiveness in June 2019. Children who graduate from Charles Darwin are resilient, independent, and confident individuals who express themselves creatively and value their place in the world. They benefit from a wealth of experiences beyond the classroom, helping them stay happy, engaged, and inspired to learn.

The school offers an innovative curriculum that encourages every child to thrive, combining a strong academic focus with a rich programme of cultural and sporting opportunities.

Charles Darwin Primary has close links with the highly successful Jane Austen College and Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form College, ensuring a strong educational pathway from early years through to post-16 education.

Although there is no on-site parking, the school and nursery are just a short walk from Norwich Train Station, served by several bus routes, with a range of paid parking options nearby.

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 and person specification in addition to details of your references covering the last 5 years.

If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, then please contact Claire Thacker, PA to Principal ).

To apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form.

When you start your application, you will receive several emails from our application provider, Vacancy Filler. Please be aware that some email providers may mistakenly mark these messages as spam. To avoid missing important updates, we recommend checking your spam or junk folders regularly throughout the application process and marking these emails as safe.

Closing date for applications: 12pm on Wednesday 17th December 2025

Interview date: Wednesday 7th January 2026

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.