Teaching Assistant (Apprentice)

Oaks Primary Academy has a fantastic opportunity to appoint an enthusiastic and motivated Teaching Assistant (Apprentice) to join our highly collaborative and supportive team as soon as possible. Our Teaching Assistants are pivotal to our success in the classroom and provide a great deal of support for our teachers, therefore our successful candidate will be able to establish strong working relationships with staff and students alike.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, caring and ambitious practitioner who wants to join an outstanding team within our EYFS provision. Candidates need to be flexible and prepared to learn about Teaching and Learning (in particular the Early Years Foundation Stage).

We are looking for someone who;

• is dedicated to the job and prioritises the needs of the children in their care.
• is resilient and solution-focused

Being able to communicate effectively with children and adults is essential, together with a friendly and approachable manner. Our newly appointed Teaching Assistants will be able to work using their own initiative and can demonstrate effective behaviour management skills. In return, they will join a supportive environment with plenty of development opportunities within the academy and across the wider Trust.

Apprenticeship Summary

Annual wage:  Actual salary £10,369 per annum (£13,725 full time equivalent)

Working weeks:  Monday - Friday, Term Time + 1 week inset 

Total hours per week: 32.5 (including the 20% training element of the Apprenticeship) - start and finish times to be agreed

Apprenticeship duration:  18 months approx.

Anticipated start date:  As soon as possible

Apprenticeship level:  Advanced Level Apprenticeship (Level 3)

Apprenticeship standard: Teaching Assistant

Essential entry qualifications: GCSEs A* - C, Maths and English (desirable)

Future prospects: This apprenticeship could be the start of a very promising career within the wider business. We endeavour to offer further employment following successful performance and completion of the Level 3 course with future opportunities to extend your training with a higher level apprenticeship programme. We offer in-house Continuing Professional Development and you’ll be part of a highly experienced and efficient team – you’ll be learning from the very best!

Do you know a great Teaching Assistant who would like to hear about opportunities with Leigh Academies Trust? If so, make a referral today for the chance to receive £100 as a 'thank you'. Simply complete the referral form by clicking here. T&C's apply.

Working for Oaks Primary Academy: Oaks Primary is a small academy with approximately 190 pupils on roll and an additional 20 pupils in our Nursery. We are very proud of our school and the hard work and positive attitude of all our pupils and staff. Teaching and learning areas are both safe and well-maintained, providing a stimulating working environment for pupils. We are continually striving to improve our facilities in order to enrich the experiences of our pupils.

The teachers and support staff form a very strong team and work closely with the Governing Body and Leigh Academies Trust to promote high standards throughout Oaks Primary Academy. Parents provide invaluable voluntary support throughout the academy including a programme of fundraising activities throughout the year.

The academy teaches a broad and balanced curriculum which is enriched by a wide range of extra-curricular activities. It is our aim to provide a happy, safe, and caring community, where everyone is encouraged and supported to achieve their goals.

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st April 2024, our Trust comprises 32 geographically organised academies (16 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating more than 20,000 students and employing 3,000 talented staff. Nearly 40% of our academies are judged outstanding overall by Ofsted, versus 15% nationally. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Our future plans are found in our Vision 2030 document available on our website.

As part of Leigh Academies Trust, you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Click here to view the benefits available to all LAT employees from day one.

Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.