Achievement and Progress Support Assistant (Teaching Assistant)

Springwood High School are looking to appoint two Achievement and Progress Support Assistants (APSA) to join the school in September 2026

Start Date: ASAP Hours: 28.75 hrs per week. 39 weeks per year (term time +1 week) Salary: Scale C Point 5 £13.69/hour approx. £17,583/annum (FTE £26,427 based on a 37 hour week – please note salary will be pro rata)

Temporary Contract till 31st Aug 2027

Email: recruitment@westnorfolkacademiestrust.co.uk Springwood High School: www.springwoodhighschool.co.uk/

Purpose of the Job As an Achievement and Progress Support Assistant, you will work with teachers to raise the learning and attainment of pupils while also promoting their independence, self-esteem, and social inclusion. You will provide support to pupils so that they can access the curriculum, participate in learning, and experience a sense of achievement.

You will manage the provision of support for students with Special Educational Needs implementing the strategies and advice included in the pupil’s Education, Health and Care Plan or Support Plan and contribute to termly and annual reviews. You will deliver or facilitate interventions, as required.

You will support either specific pupils or a variety of students with a range of needs, working across year groups and curriculum areas.

You will need to have good communication and interpersonal skills, the belief that all students, regardless of their personal circumstances can excel and the ability to set high expectations in order to motivate and inspire.

Responsibilities, but not limited to:

Personal and professional conduct Teaching assistants should uphold public trust in the education profession by:

• Having proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school in which they work as professional members of staff.
• Demonstrating positive attitudes, values and behaviours to develop and sustain effective relationships with the school community.
• Having regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ wellbeing by following relevant statutory guidance along with school policies and practice.

Knowledge and understanding

Teaching assistants are expected to:

• Acquire the appropriate skills, qualifications, and/or experience required for the teaching assistant role, with support from the school employer.
• Demonstrate expertise and skills in understanding the needs of all pupils (including specialist expertise as appropriate) and know how to adapt and deliver support to meet individual needs.
• Share responsibility for ensuring that their own knowledge and understanding is relevant and up to date by reflecting on their own practice, liaising with school leaders and accessing relevant professional development to improve personal effectiveness.
• Demonstrate a level of subject and curriculum knowledge relevant to their role and apply this effectively in supporting teachers and pupils.

Teaching and learning

Teaching assistants are expected to:

• Demonstrate an informed and efficient approach to teaching and learning by adopting relevant strategies to support the work of the teacher and increase achievement of all pupils including, where appropriate, those with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Promote, support and facilitate inclusion by encouraging participation of all pupils in learning and extracurricular activities.
• Use effective behaviour management strategies consistently in line with the school’s policy and procedures.
• Contribute to effective assessment and planning by supporting the monitoring, recording and reporting of pupil progress as appropriate to the level of the role.

Working with others

Teaching assistants are expected to:

• Recognise and respect the role and contribution of other professionals, parents and carers by liaising effectively and working in partnership with them.
• With the class teacher, keep other professionals accurately informed of progress or concerns they may have about the pupils they work with.
• Understand their responsibility to share knowledge to inform planning and decision making.
• Understand their role in order to be able to work collaboratively with classroom teachers and other colleagues, including specialist advisory teachers.

Personal and Professional Conduct A member of staff is expected to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct. They are to uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school.

For a full job description please click the link below. The duties and responsibilities listed in the job description provide a summary of the main aspects of the role. This is not an exhaustive list and the post holder may be required to carry out other tasks, as deemed appropriate to the grade and nature of the post.

Closing Date for Applications: 20th November 2026

Interview Dates: TBC

Start Date: ASAP

How to apply

For this vacancy, please click the 'Apply for Job' button, to complete our online application form.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable field is met.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from minority ethnic communities and those with disabilities. An enhanced DBS check will be required.

As part of our recruitment process it is necessary for us to perform an online social media check. The reason for the online search is to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet the safeguarding duties set out in KCSIE. There is no other purpose for a search.

This post is likely to come under the requirements of the Childcare (Disqualifications) 2009 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.

West Norfolk Academies Trust is fully committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, eliminating discrimination. Applications are invited from all sections of society.

Please click here to view a copy of the Trusts Leave and time off policy