Teaching Assistant

Location: Pakefield Primary School, Lowestoft, Suffolk

Contract: 1 x Permanent, 1 x Fixed-term until December 2027

Working Pattern: 27.5 hours per week, 38 weeks per year

Salary: ALT Grade D - £16,297.79 to £16,684.97

Help every child take an active part in learning.

Pakefield Primary School is looking for a caring and capable Teaching Assistant to work alongside teachers, supporting individuals and small groups to participate, progress and grow in confidence. Based in a welcoming primary school community in Lowestoft, the role brings together focused learning support, inclusive classroom practice and care for children’s wider social and emotional development. We are looking for someone who can build positive relationships, adapt planned activities thoughtfully and encourage independence while responding calmly to individual needs. Working collaboratively with colleagues, families and other professionals, this is a practical and rewarding opportunity to help remove barriers to learning and raise expectations for every child.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

• Support individuals and small groups with planned learning activities, adapting them in response to learners’ needs.
• Promote inclusion, independence and active participation in academic and social activities.
• Help teachers monitor, assess and record learners’ progress, attainment and behaviour.
• Provide appropriate personal, emotional and welfare support, maintaining children’s dignity and safety.
• Build positive working relationships with learners, colleagues, families and relevant external professionals.

Contact

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, or for more information, please contact:

• Karen Tallett-Pickess, School Business Manager, at ktallettpickess@pakefieldprimaryschool.org.uk or
• Ryan Stevens, Headteacher, at rstevens@pakefieldprimaryschool.org.uk

All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks including the taking of satisfactory references and enhanced criminal record clearance in line with the need to create and maintain a safe culture.

The Active Learning Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the advert closing date. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

To ensure we recruit and retain the best talent, all new employees recruited to the Active Learning Trust (leadership, teaching and support staff) will be subject to a 4 months’ probation period at the start of their employment. This policy aims to assess new employees' alignment with our culture, teaching standards, and student needs. It is designed to foster success; with regular evaluations and support mechanisms in place, helping us to identify and nurture talent.

We value diversity and welcome applications from all, including those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act.