Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale F: £25,949 to £28,149 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£29,542 - £32,046 full time/full year equivalent) Permanent Full Time: 37 hours per week from Monday to Friday Working Weeks: 39 weeks Start Date: January 2027

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (SRB) - Supporting SEND Pupils to Thrive

Are you passionate about helping children and young people achieve their full potential? Thetford Academy is looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic and compassionate Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join our Specialist Resource Base (SRB) team, working under the guidance of teaching staff to support pupils' learning, development and wellbeing.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is committed to making a meaningful difference to the lives of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Working within our SRB, you will support pupils with a range of additional needs, delivering tailored learning and pastoral support that enables them to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. You will work both within the specialist provision and alongside mainstream classes where appropriate, helping pupils to build confidence, independence and essential life skills while promoting inclusion throughout the academy.

Experience of supporting children and young people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) would be a distinct advantage, although we also welcome applications from individuals with a genuine passion for inclusive education, excellent communication skills and a commitment to helping every child achieve their potential.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Working with pupils with complex needs including behaviour, SEND (Special Education Needs), mental health, social and emotional needs, and those for whom English is not their first language to ensure they can thrive in mainstream education.
• Supporting the development and review of individual learning and behaviour plans and providing academic and pastoral support for pupils as required.
• Ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning, specialist support and safeguarding for the pupils within the Autism Base, enabling them to make accelerated progress and to have their special educational needs met.
• Working with pupils in a variety of formats; group work, classroom and one-to-one and covering a whole class when required.
• Preparing, maintaining and using equipment/resources required to meet the lesson plans/relevant learning activity and assisting pupils in their use, including supporting the use of ICT learning activities and developing pupils’ competence in its use.
• Supporting pupils during routine tests and external examinations as required.
• Assisting with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times as required.
• Serving as an additional point of contact for parents relating to academic and pastoral issues.

About You:

The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic and inspiring practitioner who is patient and adaptable with strong communication skills. You will support both teachers and pupils effectively by understanding learning needs, managing behaviour, and fostering a positive environment through proactive help and continuous learning. You will also be passionate about raising achievement through motivating and inspiring pupils and keen to contribute to the school’s visions and values.

Essential:

• Excellent numeracy/literacy skills/GCSE (or equivalent NVQ 2 level) Maths and English
• NVQ 2 or equivalent in teaching assistance or equivalent experience
• Experience of working in roles that expect a high level of contact with parents or members of the public and experience liaising with different stakeholders
• Experience of working with vulnerable young people with SEND
• Good ICT skills

Desirable:

• Relevant level 3 or 4 qualification
• Qualifications in assessing SEND e.g. CCET or equivalent will be desirable. If you do not have this qualification, it would be useful if you would be willing to achieve this.
• First Aid qualification

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

Thetford Academy is a remarkable place to work and sits at the academic and cultural heart of its community. Our pupils follow a curriculum designed to prepare them for future challenges while fostering a deep appreciation and understanding of the world. They are supported in developing strong values and habits that empower them to make meaningful contributions to their community and beyond.

Joining Thetford Academy means becoming part of a committed, supportive, and ambitious team. Staff benefit from excellent professional development opportunities, collaborative networks, and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people. If you are passionate about education and inspiring students to achieve their full potential, this is the place to grow your career.

We are part of the Inspiration Trust , twice ranked as the country’s top family of comprehensive schools for pupil progress, and strongly believe in the importance of giving the widest educational opportunities to all young people, regardless of their background. We have strong networks across the Trust, with opportunities to work with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to offering excellent professional and learning opportunities for our staff, with a busy programme of continuing professional development courses delivered by some of the country’s best educational thinkers and practitioners.

The Inspiration Trust is a Multi Academy Trust, committed to delivering the very best educational experience for the young people of Norfolk and Suffolk, across 17 schools. We are ambitious for our schools and communities and want to create Britain’s highest performing federation of 3-19 schools and transform education in the East. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.

For information on what it is like to live and work in Thetford, click here . In its 2025 inspection, Ofsted confirmed that The Thetford Academy has continued to provide a high-quality education, with excellent behaviour, a well-sequenced curriculum and impressive personal development opportunities. Pupils are proud to attend the school, feel safe, and benefit from committed staff and strong leadership.

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 Ilona Haye, PA to Principal (ilonahaye@inspirationtrust.org).

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: 9am on Monday 23rd November 2026 Interview date: Tuesday 1st December 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.