Specialist Teaching Assistant (Upper KS2)

Derbyshire County Council; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

Newbold Church School, situated on the outskirts of Chesterfield in Derbyshire, is seeking a Specialist Teaching Assistant to support a pupil in Upper Key Stage 2 (Y5). The temporary post starts 2 November 2026 and runs term-time only, 10:45–14:15, Monday to Friday, with a 30-minute lunch break.

The successful candidate will work closely with classroom staff, promoting the school ethos of “Nurture, Cherish, Succeed” while using play-based approaches to reduce anxiety and support engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children with special educational needs, particularly autism and/or PDA (or a strong willingness to learn).
• Able to work collaboratively with classroom staff to meet the childds needs.
• Warm, calm and emotionally attuned with the pupil.

Skills

Creativity

Emotional resilience

Communication skills

Flexibility

Play-based learning

Problem-solving

Job description

Closing date: 07 October 2026

Join Our Team at Newbold Church School - Specialist Teaching Assistant Vacancy

Newbold Church School is a one form entry primary on the outskirts of Chesterfield. The school is part of a close knit group of academies in Derbyshire, working under the direction of Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT), that offer great support and work collaboratively to deliver outstanding outcomes.

We are now seeking an enthusiastic, caring and experienced Specialist Teaching Assistant to work 5 days a week a child in in Upper Key Stage 2 (Y5). We are keen to welcome a talented professional to our team, who can promote our school ethos of ‘Nurture, Cherish, Succeed’ and play their part in nurturing and cherishing our children, within a supportive and inclusive environment, to lead them to be successful in being the best they can be.

The temporary post is to begin on Monday 2nd November 2026. Working hours are term time only (10:45 -2:15pm Monday to Friday - daily 30 minute break for lunch).

Key qualities

• creative, energetic and fun, bringing learning to life through humour, imagination, play and spontaneity
• able to use playfulness, curiosity and shared problem-solving to reduce anxiety
• flexible and adaptable, confident in thinking on their feet and changing plans moment‑by‑moment
• emotionally resilient, able to remain regulated, patient and positive during challenging moments
• able to use low-demand, indirect and playful strategies to encourage engagement
• a skilled communicator, including the use of: Humour, Visuals, stories, role-play or creative language as well as explaining choices in a clear, logical manner.
• Adaptable in setting expectations and tasks to suit the child’s emotional state on the day

Essential qualities

• Can work collaboratively with the child's classroom staff to ensure the needs of the child are fully met
• Have an understanding of Pathological Demand Avoidance as an anxiety-driven profile
• Have experience supporting children with special educational needs, particularly autism and/or PDA (or a strong willingness to learn)
• Have a clear understanding that traditional reward/consequence or demand-led approaches may not be effective
• Can offer support to a child that feels like a team effort, not an instruction
• are naturally warm, calm and emotionally attuned, able to build a strong, trusting relationship with the pupil
• can evidence skills in recognising signs of anxiety and dysregulation and proactively supporting emotional regulation
• have the ability to work independently with initiative, while also following guidance from teachers and SEN staff
• are able to celebrate small successes and recognise progress that may not be academic

We pride ourselves at Newbold Church School as being described as a very warm and welcoming school, whose staff team work closely together and are a family both in and out of school. Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and can be arranged directly with the school office. More information about NCS as well as application forms and job descriptions / person spec can be found on our school website. Nurture, Cherish, Succeed - Job Vacancies at NCS

DDAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, online checks, completion of a probationary period, pre-employment and Disclosure Barring Service checks. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).

Closing Date: Midnight Wednesday 7th October 2026

Provisional Interviews: Week commencing 12th October 2026