[220607AR3] Teaching Assistant (Early Years)

Pilgrim Primary Academy, Reach South Academy Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional and experienced Teaching Assistant to join the School Early Years Team as soon as possible.

Post: Teaching Assistant (Early Years)

Location: Pilgrim Primary Academy, Oxford Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth PL1 5BQ

FTE Salary Range: NJC Grade C, Point 5 – 7, £21,575 - £22,369 pro-rata for part time contract

Actual Annual Salary: £14,466.98 - £14,999.39 per annum

Contract Type: Fixed term until 25th July 2023, part-time, term-time (39 weeks per year)

Contract Hours: 28 hours per week; Monday to Friday

About the role

Pilgrim Primary Academy is looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and committed Teaching Assistant to join our Early Years team. This role is for a TA to be working in our Early Years Reception classes with children with SEN and emotional needs. The ideal candidate will be hard working, friendly and outgoing and will have a passion for supporting young children’s learning. They will be able to form positive and meaningful relationships with pupils and also enjoy working as part of a dynamic and flexible team.

Please note that this role is offered on a fixed-term basis due to the temporary nature of SEN funding to school but, if funding remains in place for longer, it has the potential to be extended.

About the successful candidate

This is a great opportunity for a self-motivated and well organised individual.  We are looking for people who have the following experience and qualities: 

• Have at least Level 2 Teaching Assistant and/or Level 2 Early Years Qualification (or equivalent to these) 
• Be able to display effective communication skills with both children and adults 
• Be eager to work collaboratively in a wider team, adaptable and open to new ideas and practices 
• Be a fast and highly flexible thinker, being able to deal with change and unpredictability positively with a ‘can-do’ attitude 
• Experience of working with younger aged children and/or SEN children preferable

About the School

Pilgrim is a friendly, caring and welcoming place, with children's learning, happiness and well-being at the heart of all we do. We understand that children will only get the best education when there are strong and respectful relationships between both pupils, staff, parents and the wider community. We are very proud of the positive relationships that exist at Pilgrim. Our aim is to develop confident young people who have high aspirations, a clear sense of themselves as learners and citizens, and who can contribute positively to their futures and those of others. 

We can offer you a friendly, team approach to working in a supportive environment.

About the Trust

Reach South is a young and developing Trust which operates across the South West of England with the aim of delivering all through 3-19 education. We operate 15 academies in Plymouth, Bournemouth, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. We are building this Trust on a clear set of values, behaviours and curriculum principles. At the heart of those values and principles is a belief in our young people and a determination to support them to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become the successful citizens for today and all of their tomorrows. 

Our core business is delivering exceptional education for children and young people with a mission to help all pupils aspire to achieve beyond the expectations that others put on them. We do this through the development of a talented and committed workforce. In order to deliver exceptional opportunities for learning, we need highly motivated staff across all parts of the organisation. 

Those we recruit are able to demonstrate that they share our values, are highly motivated to work with colleagues, within and beyond their school, to continuously develop their skills and pursue professional excellence.

Next Steps

If you think this role may be for you and want to be involved at this exciting time in our development and have any questions about the position, please get in touch by calling the Recruitment team on 07759365064 or emailing us at recruitment@reachsouth.org. 

Closing date: for applications is Monday 12th December 2022

Interview Date: Interviews are provisionally booked for Thursday 5th January 2023 

To apply for this opportunity, please complete our online application form by clicking ‘apply now’ on the advert.

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

Opportunities and Benefits 

We offer a competitive salary plus LGPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits. 

We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e-learning and face-to-face training. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. 

Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting. 

Please note that Reach South Academy Trust is a licenced Sponsor for CoS applications and therefore can consider applications from candidates eligible to apply for Teaching and Teaching Leadership roles (only). For all other roles applicants are required to provide the required documentation where a candidate does not need a Skilled Worker Visa.