Job Description

• Priory School
• Address: Saint Stephens Close, Bury St Edmunds IP32 7BH
• Salary: £25,185 - £25,989 per annum, pro rata
• Hours: 32 hours a week*, 39 weeks per year
• Contract: Permanent
• Reference: 5243

Are you passionate about creating a safe, caring, and inclusive learning environment?

Join our team as a Special Teaching Assistant (STA) Tier 1 and support the growth and development of children and young people with moderate learning difficulties. This role is essential in helping students build self-respect, confidence, and independence, preparing them for active participation in their communities. We have 1 to1 support roles as well as roles dedicated to our Priory - Mount Road provision. Our team are happy to discuss opportunities in detail at interview to identify which post best aligns with your aspirations.

* Full and part time opportunities available, please detail your preference within your application.

Key responsibilities

• Lesson Support: Assist in preparing and planning lessons, including creating resources and displays that foster a positive learning environment.
• Student Engagement: Work alongside the teacher during lessons, providing focused support in literacy, numeracy, and other curriculum areas; supervise small groups of students as needed.
• Monitoring and Assessment: Maintain accurate records of student needs, track progress, and contribute to regular assessments through observation and feedback.
• Personal Needs Support: Provide tailored assistance for individual students, which may include personal care tasks where necessary.
• Student Interaction and School Values: Build supportive, appropriate relationships with students and model the Priory School Values.
• Social Skills Development: Lead and participate in lunchtime activities to help students enhance social skills and resilience in unstructured settings.
• Supervision and Safety: Supervise students during breaks and transitions throughout the school day, and assist with First Aid as directed.

Requirements

• Experience working with children or young people, ideally within a SEND setting
• Empathy, patience, and excellent communication skills to connect with students effectively
• Commitment to inclusive education and to promoting the values of self-respect, confidence, and independence.

If you're ready to make a difference in the lives of students and build your career in a caring, educational setting, apply today!

We offer a wide range of staff benefits including:

• membership into Local Government Pension Scheme
• family friendly policies and flexible working
• access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• employee wellbeing initiatives
• free parking
• canteen
• company events
• access to various memberships and discount schemes
• learning and development opportunities - including staff development days
• funded subject course development for your role
• range of staff communities, including EDI and neurodiverse communities
• career progression opportunities.

SENDAT operates various schools and programme designed to help children and young adults with SEND, offering specialised teaching, outreach services, and alternative provision to meet diverse educational needs.

We work closely with schools and communities across the eastern region of England, providing training, consultancy, and tailored support for both students and staff. Our services include trauma-informed approaches, safeguarding expertise, curriculum adaptation, and behaviour support.

We joined Eastern Education Group Trust (EEGT) in September 2024, further expanding our capacity to serve students across multiple institutions.

As a Group, our Character Strengths and Mission Statement underpin our expectations of all our students and employees. Please familiarise yourself with these and incorporate them into your personal statement; this will be of benefit if you are invited to attend for an interview.

This is an opportunity to join a hugely supportive organisation where we value, support and facilitate your professional development, as well as offering many other benefits including an attractive pension scheme, staff wellbeing initiatives and employee assistance.

The Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

How to apply

Please read the (Word)

For further information please contact our recruitment team at: recruitment@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk

Completed application forms should be made via our recruitment portal - if you have not heard from a member of the HR Team within 14 working days, please presume your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Closing date: 8am, 13 July 2026.

We reserve the right to appoint prior to closing date - early applications are encouraged We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, gender, gender reassignment, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age in accordance with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

The Group is committed to safeguarding children and safer recruitment practices and will undertake all the required pre-employment checks on the successful candidate including an enhanced DBS Disclosure.

All data will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. For more information about how we access and use your information please visit our website.