Education Transport - Driver

Elementa Support Services Ltd; Thrapston; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A support services provider based in Thrapston is seeking a part-time Education Transport Driver to provide transport services to children. The ideal candidate should have a clean driving licence, at least 25 years old, and be empathetic and patient. The role includes driving company vehicles mainly during the school terms, and although experience with children is preferred, it is crucial to act as a positive role model. This fixed-term position may lead to a permanent contract.

Benefits

Weekly pay

Training & Support

Fair pay policy

Qualifications

• Full, clean driving licence (ideally manual transmission qualified).
• Minimum 25 years old for insurance reasons.
• Willingness to undergo Safeguarding & Prevent training.

Responsibilities

• Provide transport for children from their homes to the learning site.
• Act as a positive role model while driving children.
• Support children in learning activities if job-share is arranged.

Skills

Driving for children

Empathy

Patience

Job description

Education Transport - Driver

Type: fixed-term contract (term time only) - likely permanent from Sep 2026

Details: Part time, circa 20 hours per week (5 days per week, 8:00am-10:00am & 2:00pm-4:00pm)

Location Thrapston, Northamptonshire

Dates: ASAP - 22/07/2026

Pay: £13.69 per hour

Our client runs an Alternative Education Provision service, serving primary and secondary-aged pupils with EHCPs relating mainly to ASC, SEMH with their main headquarters based in Weston Super Mare. They operate a ‘revolving-door’ offering whereby students stay at the provision for up to 18 weeks, either on a full-time or part-time basis before returning to mainstream education or attending a special school. We are currently recruiting for their new site which is based in Thrapston. Willow Tree Learning is part of Elmtree Learning Partnership who have successfully supported learners at their other sites since 2022 www.elmtree-learning.org.uk . Currently, around x6 learners are supported at the Thrapston site however with a massive demand for refferals, learner numbers are expected to increase rapidly.

We are seeking someone ideally with previous experience of having worked with children, or other relevant interactions and who is available to offer transport services from childrens homes' to the learning site, as well as the return journey and other ad-hoc journeys as required. Whilst this is a role to provide transport to learners and not directly supporting their education, the ideal person must be able to act as a positive role model.

We're looking for someone who is willing, able and confident to drive the company vehicles which is anMPV / people-carrier. It'snot expected that you would be using your own vehicle although this is permissable (expenses paid.) We are very open to a job-share for this role and or a hybrid role, which would involve supporting children in learning activities, provided the overall transport hours are covered. You will be working with children that have additional needs and may have experienced trauma or other adverse childhood experiences, therefore, as a person we're seeking someone, calm, patient and empathetic.

Essential criteria:

• Full, clean driving licence (ideally manual transmission qualified)
• Minimum 25 years old (for insurance reasons)
• Willingness to undergo Safeguarding & Prevent training
• DBS Enhanced Disclosure (this can be processed for you if your application issuccessful)

Desirable criteria:

• Additional driver training (MIDAS trained, Advanced Driving Training, ROSPA driver training)

The role is offered on a fixed-term contract basis until the end of the academic year (22/07/2026) with the intention to offer a permanent contract from September 2026, pending funding review.

We're building our next great team so if you love working with people who are dedicated to supporting young learners that strive to support their development in a positive setting, this is the role for you.

All applications will be managed by Elementa as the recruitment partner for this school. Elementa is committed to the safeguarding of children in all of their processes and all successful applicants will have a full-prescreen to assess their suitability for the role. Any appointment will be subject to a successful interview process, satisfactory references, Safeguarding & Prevent training, DBS Enhanced Disclosure (which may be chargeable at £64.20 unless you have a DBS subscribed to the Update Service) and successful completion of (12 week / 60 paid day) employment trial period.

If you have the relevant skills and experience necessary for this role then please apply with your full up to date CV. All applicants will be promptly responded to.

ELEMENTA CANDIDATE COMMITMENT:

• Weekly pay – no waiting for monthly payroll cut off dates, Elementa pays one week in lieu.
• PAYE contract – unless a candidate specifically requests it, all candidates are paid via PAYE giving them the protections and payment structure of a traditional employer:employee relationship.
• Training & Support – a broad range of free or heavily discounted training available including Safeguarding, Behaviour, Team Teach, SEND, Makaton and Thrive.
• Regular welfare contact and support from a dedicated candidate manager.
• Fair pay policy – our candidates are paid to scale, where a variation on this may be required written agreement will be provided ahead of the position.
• Additional services to support our staff – we have a network of partners who offer support services to our candidates … tax returns, accountancy, legal and more.

This role is not suitable for applicants:

• not currently based within the UK
• requiring employer sponsorship for UK right to work
• without UK schools' experience

For more information click apply now below or contact us via phone or email.

Please apply with your full up to date CV. All applicants will be promptly responded to.