Occupational Therapist / Teaching Assistant Role

Protocol Education; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Protocol Education Limited is recruiting a qualified Occupational Therapist (HCPC registered or working towards) to support pupils full-time at a Primary School in the mornings and to contribute as a Teaching Assistant in the afternoons. You’ll help pupils build confidence, independence, and access to learning, while staying close to the classroom environment for ongoing progress throughout the week.

This role blends specialist OT impact with hands-on classroom support in a nurturing school

Qualifications

• Qualified Occupational Therapist (HCPC registered or working towards).
• Experience with SEND or genuine interest in SEND.
• Calm, adaptable and good at building trust quickly.
• Willing to work both mornings as OT and afternoons as TA.

Responsibilities

• Assess pupils’ needs and create practical strategies.
• Embed support into everyday learning with staff.
• Help pupils build independence, confidence and life skills.
• Support pupils in class 1:1 and in small groups in the afternoons.

Skills

Calm demeanor

Adaptable

Trust building

Classroom support

Education

Qualified Occupational Therapist

HCPC registered or working towards

Job description

We’re looking for a qualified Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Graduate to support pupils full‑time at a Primary School in the mornings, alongside a broader Teaching Assistant role across the afternoons. It’s a brilliant blend of specialist impact and hands‑on classroom support. You’ll be helping pupils build confidence, independence, and access to learning, then staying close to the classroom environment the rest of the week to see that progress in action.

What your week could look like

Morning as an OT:

• Assessing pupils’ needs and creating practical, usable strategies
• Working closely with staff to embed support into everyday learning
• Helping children build independence, confidence, and life skills

Afternoon as a TA:

• Supporting pupils in class, 1:1 and in small groups
• Bringing your OT insight into real‑time support
• Being that calm, consistent presence pupils rely on

What we’re looking for

• Qualified Occupational Therapist (HCPC registered or working towards) or Occupational Therapy Degree
• Someone who’s happy getting stuck into classroom life
• Experience with SEND, or a genuine interest in it
• Calm, adaptable, and good at building trust quickly

About the school

This Primary School sits within the NE4 area of Newcastle upon Tyne and serves a diverse and close‑knit community. It’s a place where relationships really matter. Staff know their pupils well, and there’s a genuine focus on inclusion, care, and helping every child access learning in a way that works for them. The team value collaboration, consistency, and a calm, supportive environment where both pupils and staff can do their best work.

Why this role works

• A rare split role that keeps your OT skills active while staying embedded in school life
• Opportunity to see direct impact of your interventions throughout the week
• A supportive school team who value consistency and care
• Flexible structure across the week

If you like the idea of stepping between specialist OT work and day‑to‑day classroom support, this could be a really rewarding fit.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.