Student Support Assistant (SSA)

Salary: Meridian Support Staff Pay Scales Grade 7 point 12 to 19

Actual Annual Salary - £23,275 to £26,232

Hours of Work: 37 hours per week – 8.15am to 4.15pm Monday to Thursday and 8.15am to 3.45pm Friday. Term time plus 5 training days and 5 days to be worked during school closure periods (40 weeks)

We are seeking to appoint an inspirational and enthusiastic Student Support Assistant (SSA) to join our new school, that opened in September 2023. This is a unique opportunity to play a key part in instilling the virtues and values that will permeate Weldon Village Academy for decades to come; to get it right with students from day one. We will only have Year 7 in our initial intake but will eventually run a vertical tutoring model with six houses, including a 6th form house.

SSAs provide support, encouragement and pastoral care to students, therefore it is crucial the successful candidate has an ability to engage with young people and cares about their welfare.

As an SSA you will be the first point of call for parents and carers, playing a vital link between home and school. A ‘can do’ attitude is essential in this fast-paced demanding support role, where all are passionate about the potential of young people and subscribe to the ethos that every child is known and supported.

SSAs work with a range of stakeholders including parents, teachers, support staff and outside agencies to contribute to the progress of individual students. This varied role also includes overseeing the administrative functions of the House Office, such as student attendance and student reports, as well as offering support to the Senior Tutor and Assistant Principal. The successful candidate will need excellent communication, time management and team working skills as well as patience and resilience.

If you are the type of person who strives to meet the needs of every child and has a proven track record of successfully working with young people, then you would cherish this opportunity.

The successful candidate will have an uncompromising commitment to student achievement with a mind-set that all young people can experience success. Weldon Village Academy is a school where every member of staff makes a profound difference to the life chances of young people and you will have the rare opportunity to build something incredible.

Weldon Village Academy is at the heart of the community and a school where every child is known, valued and supported, values intrinsic to Meridian Trust Schools.

The Opportunity:

• A brand new state of the art school that will steadily grow year on year
• A post with the potential for future progression both within this role and the wider trust
• The support of the wider trust network of experts and access to informal and formal professional development
• A school with a passionate commitment to staff development
• Staff social activities that include staff wellbeing activities

Benefits of working for us:

As a multi-academy trust of 30 schools, Meridian Trust can provide a wide network of opportunities for collaboration and career development for both teaching and support staff. With an initial teaching training facility and a teaching hub network within our Trust, there are ample opportunities to both, get into teaching, and develop within the profession.

As well as the above we also offer:

• Unlimited access to CPD via Meridian Learning
• Free annual eye tests
• Access to a free Employee Assistance Programme, offering mental health and wellbeing support
• Unlimited value cycle to work scheme

To see the full range of benefits available, please visit Employee Benefits - Meridian Trust

We are situated on the outskirts of the village of Weldon, approximately 2.5 miles from Corby town centre, in the new housing estate that is still under construction. Weldon Village Academy will grow year by year, from an initial intake of 120 Year 7s in September 2023, until eventually reaching its full capacity of 1500, including a 6th form of 300 students.

Meridian Trust is a successful multi-academy trust founded on its commitment to people and communities.

Our proven approach over more than a decade has elevated us to a respected and admired academy trust, a national leader in education and a source of great pride to the communities we serve. The Trust currently operates 30 schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire and has forged strong links within all these communities. We are committed to high quality professional development and career opportunities for all staff. To find out more about the Trust, please visit: www.meridiantrust.co.uk

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

Closing date for applications is: 12pm on Monday 3rd June 2024

Interview to take place on: Wednesday 12th June 2024

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.

If you would like to join an Academy at the beginning of a unique and exciting journey, we would welcome your application.

For further details or an informal chat please contact Leanne Turbett, PA to Principal, lturbett@weldonva.org

Please note that we do not accept CV’s - any received will not be taken into consideration during the shortlisting process.

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.