ERF Apprentice Teaching Assistant

Salary details: £ - £

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY USING THE DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL WEBSITE, PLEASE SEE DETAILS BELOW.

Borrow Wood Enhanced Resource Facility is a new provision for children with complex communication and interaction needs, which has just fully opened for the Autumn Term 2025 in a custom designed, newly refurbished area of the school. This vacancy is a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic apprentice TA to join our skilled and dedicated ERF team. 

The successful candidate will work within our ERF team to ensure that Borrow Wood’s Enhanced Resource Facility delivers excellent provision to meet the individual needs of each child and makes a real difference to the lives of children and families in Derby City. There will also be the opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge and practice through coaching and support from experienced ERF colleagues, alongside a range of CPD. 

Borrow Wood Primary School is part of the Odyssey Collaborative Trust (OCT). OCT is a local Derby City trust currently consisting of 7 schools. The Trust has a strong ethical vision based on retaining the identity and ethos of each individual school, whilst working together to promote and maximise opportunities to provide the best possible education for all children across the Trust. Odyssey Collaborative Trust already has one successful ERF provision based at Springfield Primary School.

The new Enhanced Resource Facility is an integral part of Borrow Wood Primary School, sharing the whole school ethos of:

CHOICE

• Challenge…   where we have a go, make mistakes and try again.
• Honesty…      where we always tell the truth.
• Ownership… where we take responsibility for our behaviours, learning and environment.
• Inclusive…     where we accept and respect everyone.
• Care…            where we look after ourselves and others.
• Excellence… where we bring out the best in ourselves.

This is a very exciting time to join Borrow Wood and become part of The Odyssey Collaborative Trust journey to excellence.

We are, therefore, looking to appoint an individual, who is committed, dedicated, determined and resilient - an individual who is interested in developing their skills and knowledge in the area of SEND. We can offer a positive, supportive, professional development opportunity for an Apprentice; in our mainstream school we have a history of successfully supporting other apprentices to gain their Teaching Assistant qualification.

The Role:

To support children with complex communication and interaction needs, helping them fulfil their potential. To ensure that our children have their care needs fully met, including supporting with eating and intimate care. 

This is an important role working closely with individuals and groups of children and a fantastic opportunity for someone with the right skills and qualities to make a real difference to the life experiences and achievements of our children, whilst gaining a valuable qualification at the same time. 

The successful candidate will: 

1. Have a keen interest in developing a good knowledge and understanding of SEND, alongside the unshakeable belief that all children can be successful in their learning when their needs are fully met
2. Have a calm and positive disposition, able to build effective relationships with children, parents and colleagues
3. Be dedicated to supporting and engaging children of all abilities in their learning
4. Be a reflective practitioner, who is always determined to further develop and improve their practice
5. Be an effective team player with excellent communication skills
6. Be flexible and adaptable, with the ability to respond positively to the day to day challenges of supporting children with complex needs. 

Borrow Wood Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  As this post is regulated activity, successful appointments are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and relevant recruitment checks that comply with guidance in the most recent version of Keeping Children Safe in Education.  We are committed to equality of opportunity in employment and services.  Borrow Wood Primary School is part of the Odyssey Collaborative Trust.

We strongly encourage visits to school so that we can share our vision for Borrow Wood ERF and this exciting professional opportunity.  

Visits can be arranged by contacting, the School Business Manager, Mrs Nicola Molloy, on 01332 662826 or by emailing the Trust ERF Lead, Kirstie Large k.large@borrowwood.odysseyct.org.uk  

Please complete an Odyssey Collaborative Trust Application Form, which is available below as a download or contact school for an application pack and email the application, together with a covering letter/personal statement addressing the 6 points above to the ERF Trust Lead: k.large@borrowwood.odysseyct.org.uk

CLOSING DATE: Thursday 16^th October 9am

INTERVIEWS: Tuesday 21^st October

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Please be aware that Derbyshire County Council is placing this advert on behalf of this organisation and you should refer directly to its website for details of the terms and conditions attached to this post. Any queries regarding this advert or the recruitment process should be made directly to the organisation.