Teaching Assistant - 1:1 Support in Reception

Costessey Primary School; Costessey; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

Costessey Primary School invites applications for a Teaching Assistant to provide 1:1 support and supervise lunchtimes in a Reception class, 27.5 hours per week under a fixed-term contract starting 02/11/2026. You will work closely with the Reception class teacher, SENDCo and wider team to help the child progress and enjoy school.

You will support learning access, independence, communication and positive relationships, adapting approaches as directed and sharing progress observations with the

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children, ideally in a school or educational setting.
• Warm, patient, calm and consistent.
• Passion for helping children learn and develop.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with children.
• High expectations and belief in what children can achieve.
• Understands that 1:1 support develops independence, not dependence.
• Ability to stay calm and positive when a child struggles.
• Adapt approach to meet individual needs.
• Works well in a team and takes direction from the class teacher.
• Effective and professional communication with colleagues and parents.
• Reflective, eager to learn and open to developing practice.
• Understands safeguarding and keeping children safe.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated 1:1 support throughout the school day.
• Support the child to access learning, play and the Reception curriculum.
• Encourage independence, confidence and communication.
• Support the child to build positive relationships with others.
• Help the child follow routines and expectations.
• Support participation in adult-led learning and play provision.
• Adapt activities under the teacher's direction to enable access to learning.
• Support the child to manage challenges and regulate emotions and behaviour.
• Celebrate successes and encourage perseverance.
• Share observations with the class teacher and wider team.
• Collaborate within the Reception team to create an inclusive learning environment.
• Support the child to participate in playtimes and lunchtimes where appropriate.

Job description

Teaching Assistant with 1:1 and Lunchtime responsibilities (27.5 hours per week) - Costessey Primary School
Fixed Term
Grade: C/D
Start date: 02/11/2026

About the role

Working closely with the Reception class teacher, SENDCo and wider team, you will provide consistent and nurturing support to help the child make progress and enjoy their experience of school.

You will:

• Provide dedicated 1:1 support throughout the school day.
• Support the child to access learning, play and the wider Reception curriculum.
• Encourage the development of independence, confidence and communication.
• Support the child to build positive relationships with other children and adults.
• Help the child to understand and follow routines and expectations.
• Support participation in both adult-led learning and continuous provision.
• Adapt activities and approaches, under the direction of the class teacher, to enable successful access to learning.
• Support the child to manage challenges and develop positive strategies for regulating their emotions and behaviour.
• Celebrate successes and encourage the child to persevere when things are difficult.
• Share observations and information about the child's progress with the class teacher and wider team.
• Work as part of the Reception team to create an inclusive, positive and purposeful learning environment.
• Support the child to participate fully in the wider school day, including playtimes and lunchtimes where appropriate.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience of working with children, ideally within a school or educational setting.
• Is warm, patient, calm and consistent.
• Has a genuine passion for helping children learn and develop.
• Is able to build trusting and positive relationships with children.
• Has high expectations and believes in what children can achieve.
• Understands that effective 1:1 support is about developing independence, not creating dependence.
• Can remain calm and positive when a child is experiencing difficulty.
• Is able to adapt their approach to meet an individual child's needs.
• Works well as part of a team and is able to take direction from the class teacher.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with colleagues and parents/carers.
• Is reflective, willing to learn and committed to developing their own practice.
• Understands the importance of safeguarding and keeping children safe.

Experience of supporting children with additional needs would be desirable, although we are particularly interested in finding someone with the right attitude, values and commitment to make a positive difference.

Why work for us?

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act. We're open to flexible working arrangements for roles where suitable. Please include your preferred working hours in your application for consideration.

We encourage school visits, if you would like to discuss the role or book a visit to the school please contact: Zara Lambert (Acting Headteacher) on [e-mail]

Please refer to the job description and recruitment pack for full person specification.

Evolution Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. To this end, you will be required to undertake pre-employment checks, including a social media search. This post will come under the requirements of the Childcare (Disqualification) 2009 Regulations and a successful applicant would be required to complete a declaration form to establish whether they are disqualified under these regulations. An enhanced DBS check will be required.