[220927R1] Teaching Assistant

PEAK Academy, Reach South Academy Trust is seeking to appoint exceptional Teaching Assistants to join the School as soon as possible.

Post: Teaching Assistant

Location: PEAK Academy, Drake Lane, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 5HD

FTE Salary Range: Gloucestershire Grade E, Point 6-12, £21,968 rising to a maximum of £24,496 per annum; pro rata for part time contract

Actual Salary Range: Gloucestershire Grade E £19,465.31 rising to a maximum of £21,705.31 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent, term time only

Contract Hours: 37 hours per week

About the role

PEAK Academy is looking to recruit exceptional Teaching Assistants to join our team. You’ll join a team of dedicated SEND professionals and will work closely with your colleagues to promote the emotional, physical and educational development of pupils with special needs. The post holder will be responsible for supporting pupils in class and as they transition through their day. This is highly rewarding and challenging work, where you can make a huge difference to vulnerable young peoples lives. There will be lots of training made available to you.

About the successful candidate

We are looking for people who have the resilience and character to:

• Support pupils in developing effective relationships with peers, younger pupils and adults, challenging and providing alternatives to those behaviours which are difficult for others. 
• Help pupils to develop self-reliance and confidence in a range of areas including decision making, problem solving and general life skills, and deal in a positive way with their emotions.
• Work with teachers and colleagues to support pupils with communication and interaction difficulties.

We need great people with lots of: Patience, passion and positivity!

About the School

PEAK Academy is a day specialist provider of education in Dursley, Gloucestershire for children and young people aged from 11 to 16 years who have an SEMH profile. There are currently 60 pupils on roll but Reach South plans, in partnership with the LA to diversify both number and age range.

PEAK formally joined Reach South in August 2022. The Trust has secured capital to ensure the capacity for growth and diversification.

PEAK’s aim is to build safe independent lives for the SEMH population through a process of understanding, support, and enablement. To achieve this goal the school looks at the unique impact social, emotional, and mental health experiences has on the individual child. From this we aim as a school to personalise the child’s curriculum, care, and therapeutic package to ensure every child achieves and experiences success and independence.

REACH South is a forward-thinking academy trust that puts the child, and their diagnosis first. Springfields Academy, Calne was the first Reach South special school (Ofsted good March 2022. NAS advanced status June 2022) In September 2023 SAIL (Salisbury Academy for Inspiration Learners) will open. The three schools will work very closely to meet, lead, and shape regional agendas.

This is a unique opportunity to not only join the team at Peak, but also to work for a Trust within a framework of specialist provision. The Trust, our schools, and our pupils require teachers who are looking to be innovative, bold, and collaborative.  You can help to design your pupil’s curriculum and influence their future. Your work will always be challenging and rewarding as a part of the Reach South Specialist team.

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. 

Support staff within Reach South belong to a national community of professionals, and benefit from a wide range of networks and development opportunities across the Trust. The Trust provides a strong culture of collaboration and support, together with high expectations for staff and pupils alike.  

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 Thursday 5th January 2023

Interview Date: Interviews are provisionally booked for Friday 13th 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.