TEACHING ASSISTANT - PRIMARY (RECEPTION OR YEAR 1 CLASS)

Based at Northstowe Primary School

Salary: Grade 4, Points 3-5 (£24,796 – £25,583 FTE)

Hours of work: Applicants must be able to work from 8:15am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday with a later finish of 4pm one day per week.  The role is 29.25 hours per week as a Teaching Assistant, plus an additional 5 hours per week as a lunchtime supervisor which equates to the overall working pattern of 34.25 hours.

Weeks per year: 39 weeks per year, (term time only plus training days)

We have an exciting opportunity for a kind, curious and hardworking teaching assistant to join our Primary SEND team.  This is a unique opportunity for an experienced teaching assistant to join a new school and be part of creating an inclusive learning environment for all pupils.  Working within a small team in a brand-new school, we all have to go the extra mile however, we promote and support a good work life balance, and we are a kind and supportive team.

About Northstowe Learning Community (NLC)

Northstowe Learning Community brings together:

·         An 11–16 secondary school (NSC)

·         Northstowe Sixth Form (NSF)

·         Northstowe Primary School (NPS)

Situated on the Northstowe Education Campus, NLC is co-located with the Trust’s Martin Bacon Academy.  This specialist provision provides an innovative experience for its sixth form students through full integration with the Northstowe Sixth Form.  This creates a vibrant educational hub where inclusion, collaboration, and excellence are central to the student experience.

From September 2025, the school contains:

·         One Reception and one Year 1 class (as the primary builds to its full 3FE (630 capacity)

·         Approximately 760 students in Years 7–11 (as the secondary builds to its eventual 12FE 1800 PAN)

·         Around 112 sixth form students (45 students in Year 13 and 67 students in Year 12).  The Sixth Form will grow over time to reach its capacity of 400.

NLC continues to grow rapidly in step with the new town of Northstowe, which will eventually be home to around 30,000 residents accommodated in up to 10,000 homes.  The school is deliberately designed to play a key role in the provision of community facilities to reflect the Cambridgeshire Village College ethos.

Our Journey So Far

Northstowe Secondary College opened in 2019 with its first Year 7 cohort of just 71 students. In September 2024, the addition of both primary and sixth form phases marked a major milestone in our development and the school was renamed Northstowe Learning Community to reflect its expanded and unified identity.  

With the recent completion of Phase 2 of our building programme, NLC now features:

·         An additional new specialist block for 11–16 education

·         A state-of-the-art primary school building

·         A purpose-built sixth form centre

Phase 3 will commence once further housing development is confirmed. Once complete, Northstowe Learning Community will be one of the largest schools in the East of England, with capacity for approximately 2,800 students from Reception through to Year 13. The campus aims to serve all ages and abilities, taking a lead role in bringing people together to create a sustainable and empowered local community.

Our Ethos and Vision

At NLC, we are committed to providing outstanding teaching and pastoral care, creating a culture where students work hard, enjoy learning, and thrive. Our dedicated staff are warm, approachable, and determined to give every child the best possible start in life.

As a teaching assistant, you will:

·         Make a real difference to the positive experience of our pupils and their families.

·         Work with teaching colleagues on practices which maximise your impact in the classroom.

·         Set high expectations which contribute to pupils being inspired, motivated and challenged to achieve their best.

The opportunity:      

·         To join our motivated, friendly staff and pupils in a highly-regarded multi-academy Trust with a strong community presence. 

·         To collaborate within the Trust, sharing good practice and benefiting from the support and guidance of an experienced network of colleagues.

·         Access to informal and formal professional development.       

·         To contribute to the culture where pupils experience a positive and enriching education.

 The ideal candidate will have:        

·         An interest in and evidence of continuous improvement and professional development.

·         Experience working in a similar role or within a primary school/ early years environment.

·         Outstanding interpersonal skills to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, students, parents and others.

·         A thorough understanding of child protection and safeguarding matters.

·         The school’s core values of kind, curious and hardworking at the heart of everything they do.

About Meridian Trust –

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. 

Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to – 

·         Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in.

·         Access to our benefits partner Vivup - benefits include an online GP, Lifestyle savings, support for mental health and wellbeing through the Employee Assistance Programme and many more

·         Cycle to work scheme

·         Teacher’s pension scheme

·         Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations

·         Free on-site parking

·         Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays 

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/.

How to apply:

For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below. 

Applications must be submitted via My New Term.  In line with safer recruitment practices, we are unable to accept CVs.  If you have any questions about the application process or you would like to arrange a visit to the school, please contact Sarah Wakerley, HR Officer on recruitment@northstowe.education to arrange an appointment.  Please note the school is closed for half term from 16^th to 20^th February 2026.

Closing date for applications is: Monday, 2^nd March 2026 (by 8am).  However, early applications are encouraged because candidates may be shortlisted and invited for interview as they apply.  Meridian Trust reserves the right to close adverts early if a successful appointment has been made before the application deadline.

Interview date is Wednesday, 11^th March 2026.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. 

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.