Permanent - Starting September 2026 (Fixed term position also available)
Be the person who helps a child believe they can.
At St Thomas, we know that the right adults change children’s lives.
Not through grand gestures - but everyday showing kindness, patience, encouragement, consistency, creativity and care. Through helping a child feel safe enough to try, brave enough to speak, and supported enough to have the ambition to succeed.
We expect our staff to be able to calm and nurture children, provide positive behaviour management and be able to support their social and emotional needs. We are an inclusive school, and our children are at the heart of everything we do. This role will involve supporting children across the school, including pupils with additional needs, helping them to thrive socially, emotionally and academically.
We want our children to REACH for their dreams by following our school values: Respect, Equality, Aspiration, Community and Harmony.
St Thomas Primary School is situated just over the river Exe near the centre of Exeter. We are a single form entry school and are proud to have been serving our diverse and welcoming community for 154 years.
We are looking for someone who:
1. genuinely enjoys working with children and building positive relationships
2. brings calmness, kindness, resilience and a sense of humour
3. believes every child deserves to feel successful
4. can support children with a wide range of needs and personalities
5. is proactive, adaptable and willing to get stuck in
6. reflective and driven to get a little better everyday
7. wants to be part of a collaborative, caring school community
In this role, you will:
8. support pupils in class, in small groups and sometimes on a 1:1 basis
9. help children access learning and develop confidence and independence
10. work closely with teachers to deliver engaging and inclusive learning experiences
11. support children’s social, emotional and behavioural development
12. celebrate progress - from the smallest breakthrough to the biggest achievement
13. contribute to a calm, safe and purposeful learning environment
14. build positive relationships with families, colleagues and the wider school community
15. play an active part in school life, trips, events and enrichment opportunities
Why join St Thomas?
Because this is a school where relationships matter.
A school where children are encouraged to be themselves, discover their strengths and develop a lifelong love of learning. A school where play, creativity, curiosity and kindness are valued just as highly as achievement.
We are proud of our supportive team culture and our commitment to ensuring every child receives the very best start to their education and their future.
If you are someone who wants to make a genuine difference, who believes in inclusion and belonging, and who wants to be part of a school community that cares deeply about children and each other, we would love to hear from you.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.
If successfully shortlisted the HR Department will also be conducting an individual online search including social media platforms of your ‘name, education and employment’, to demonstrate due diligence following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance. The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you.
Become part of our journey by completing our application formand returning it to if you would like to apply. Please see our Assistant Job Description for further information.
Closing Date: 5th June 2026.