KS1 Apprentice Teaching Assistant with a focus on vulnerable children

Location: Alvaston Infant and Nursery School, Derby
Hours: Apprentice TA 37 hrs per week – will be required to be flexible and work from 7:30am and until 6pm, on some days, as agreed with the school, depending on the school’s needs
Contract type: Permanent

Alvaston Infant and Nursery School wishes to appoint an Apprentice Teaching Assistant, who will work closely with the Headteacher to further support our most vulnerable children, including those who may have a social worker. This is a unique role to the school, and we are looking for someone who has an understanding of the challenges that vulnerable children may face. The successful candidate with be relentless with the pursuit to improve the lives and outcomes for children. They will build the strongest of relationships within school and will become a champion for our children. This role will be classroom based for around 3 days per week, to further children’s learning and to fulfil their apprenticeship aims. The rest of the time will be dedicated to targeted support for those children who need it the most, including running fully funded wrap around care and/or an enrichment club for children and attendance support. The Headteacher is overall accountable for children deemed vulnerable within our school, therefore, you would be expected to show impact of how you have improved the lives and outcomes of these children, in regular meetings. At our school, we are pro inclusion and everyone is an inclusion champion. However, the successful post holder will be involved in half termly inclusion meetings, with our inclusion leads. See a link to our inclusion page here: https://www.alvastoni.derby.sch.uk/school-values-1

It is also imperative that you share the same passion and commitment to achieving exceptional outcomes for these children. Everyone within our school is committed to safeguarding children and due to the nature of this role, you would also need to ensure that you maintain the highest levels of confidentiality.

In addition, we are looking for someone who:
• Is a champion for every child – they will never give up.
• Enjoys working with young children (particularly those 3 and under) and whole-heartedly believes in the school’s ethos and vision.
• Has high standards of themselves, other professionals and children in their care.
• Has a nurturing, caring attitude towards children and all members of our school family.
• Understands the need to keep our children safe at all times and is aware of policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety, security and confidentiality.
• Gets to know children as both people and as learners. They will have unconditional positive regard for children.
• Oozes positivity and enjoys working collaboratively and professionally with others.
• Is aware of the diversity of our pupils and can ensure all have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
• Has a very high standard of written and spoken English.
• Has some knowledge of child development and how children learn within EYFS and/or KS1.

We can offer:
• Kind and sociable children who care about themselves and others around them – they will inspire you to be your best!
• Happy and dedicated staff who are committed to the children and each other. As a result, they work extremely closely, care for one another and support every member of our school family to be the best that they can be.
• Friendly families with huge hearts.
• A supportive, knowledgeable Governing Body, who are fully immersed in school life and who will always make time to listen.
• Excellent opportunities for you to develop professionally, through the close supervision and mentoring of our talented staff.
• The chance to be a part of a very special team who recognise that everyone has a part to play in our journey to achieve the very best for our school and the community that we serve.

In addition we can offer:
• Flexible time for holidays/days off, through lieu time, given back at a date of your choice (so long as it also meets the needs of the school).
• Time for you to visit your child’s school and events, paid.
• Skilled staff which you can work alongside.
• A skilled SEND Team who work across the school with children who need them the most.
• The BEST school family who will always look out for you.

However, nothing on paper will ever come close to the feeling you get when you walk through our school doors! The walls ‘hug’ you and you never want to leave! Don’t take our word for it, come and see for yourself – we would love to welcome you and for you get a snapshot of what it feels like to work in such a special place!

Please contact the school office on 01332 571704 in order to arrange a school visit and we will gladly show you around!

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. To comply with safer recruitment and our own rigorous policies and procedures, we will complete all actions to ensure that any potential candidates are suitable to work with children. An Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service disclosure will be sought from the successful candidate, prior to them starting the position. Please ensure that you have read our Child Protection Policy and Privacy Notices, attached to the job advert.

We are an equal opportunities employer and love to celebrate how diverse our school is. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates from every race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

If you are interested in applying for this post, please fill in the application form, attached and enclose with a covering letter of no more than 1,500 words, documenting your experience and how you are the perfect ‘piece’ to our jigsaw (making reference to the job advert and person specification). Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Please address all applications for the attention of Mrs Molly Peach, and hand in to the school office or email completed forms to sbm@alvastoni.derby.sch.uk. If you have not heard from us by the end of the day on 1st October 2026, please presume on this occasion you have been unsuccessful in obtaining an interview.

The closing date for this vacancy is 1 October 2026. Any applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.

Interviews will be held provisionally on 5 October 2026.

Please see here for Job Description

Please see here for Privacy Notice

Please see here for Safeguarding Policy

Please see here for Application Form