PUPIL SUPPORT & TEACHING ASSISTANT

Location Walton-le-dale Primary School, Severn Drive, Walton-le-dale, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 4TD (438 on roll) Tel: School website: Summary Do you have a big heart, a good sense of humour and a real passion for helping children feel safe, happy and ready to learn?

We are looking for a caring, creative and child-centred person to join our team in this exciting new role, combining Pupil Support Worker and TA2 responsibilities.

This role is all about relationships, connection and understanding the individual child. You will work closely with our SENCO to support a small number of identified pupils each morning, particularly children who experience barriers to attendance, anxiety or learning. You will help children successfully transition into school, regulate their emotions and develop the confidence to engage with school and learning.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is naturally warm, kind, nurturing and fun.
• Builds strong, trusting relationships with children.
• Has a good understanding of PDA profiles, anxiety and emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), or is enthusiastic about developing their knowledge.
• Is happy to be silly, playful and creative when this is what a child needs.
• Can use games, humour, distraction and playful approaches to engage and connect with children.
• Is patient, calm and able to think outside the box.
• Is genuinely child-centred, seeing the child behind the behaviour and adapting their approach accordingly.
• Works well as part of a team and is keen to work closely with the SENCO, teachers and families.

For the remainder of the day, you will work within a classroom as a TA2, supporting teaching, learning and inclusion.

This is a new and exciting opportunity for someone who wants to make a real difference to children’s experiences of school. If you are someone who believes that relationships come first, enjoys making children laugh, isn’t afraid to get down on the floor and play a game, and can bring calm, creativity and kindness to challenging situations, we would love to hear from you.

Our school is committed to equality as well as safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

Essential Qualifications NVQ Level 2 qualification or above appropriate to the post (or equivalent)

Desirable Qualifications Skills/knowledge equivalent to a Level 3 qualification, or working towards a Level 3 qualificationin supporting teaching and learning

Essential Experience Experience of working with or caring for young people age 3-11

Desirable Experience Previous experience of working with young people with complex needs or challenging behaviour.

Proposed Interview Date: 19/10/2026

Equal Opportunities statement An Equal Opportunities Employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community Rehabilitation Rehabilitation The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Information provided by you or the Disclosure and Barring Service will be dealt with in a confidential manner in accordance with the DBS's Code of Practice. You may view the Code of Practice on the DBS website at or alternatively a copy is available on request. Lancashire County Council has a Handling of DBS Certificate Information Policy and a Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders this is available from the recruiting manager to applicants who are asked to complete a DBS application.

Please note that we can only consider applications from candidates who are legally entitled to work in the UK.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

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