Specialist Teaching Assistant (Literacy)

We are seeking to appoint a Specialist Literacy Teaching Assistant to support students who have yet to develop the reading skills that will allow them to fully access the opportunities for learning in lessons and the wonderful world of their own reading.

This role is temporary until 31 August 2027. Required to start as soon as possible.

About the Academy

Outwood Academy Ormesby can be found in the town of Middlesbrough in the north-east of England. Our goal is to continuously improve and become a leading academy in the region.

Through strong leadership we empower our staff to excel and ensure that students receive the best possible education and outcomes. The academy provides an excellent environment for professional development and making a positive impact on the lives of students in the area.

At our academy, we have highly trained staff and effective safeguarding measures in place to support all staff members. Additionally, the SLT and staff work together effectively to ensure that all students are actively engaged in their education.

Outwood Academy Ormesby is looking to appoint a dynamic, enthusiastic teaching assistant to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a teaching assistant who really wants to make a difference to the lives of young people.

About the Role

The successful candidate will be a keen reader who learns quickly and who is committed to their own continuing professional development, building their expertise in early reading skills. The main responsibility of the post will be to develop students’ knowledge of phonics using the Ruth Miskin Fresh Start programme. Knowledge of teaching phonics is not a requirement for the post as full training will be given. More important is a good general level of education and the ability to work productively with young people in a professional context using initiative and organisational skills. The post will also involve delivering reading development activities such as using reading schemes or giving other support to students as necessary. The ability to communicate effectively with the senior leadership team and staff on the reading improvement team is essential.

This is both an important and rewarding position. The successful candidate will form a pivotal role in helping students who have so far struggled to engage with education and in doing so, have the satisfaction of knowing that their work improves these students’ life chances.

About the Department

The English Department at Outwood Academy Ormesby is a successful team made up of subject specialist teachers, two one-to-one tutors and two specialist literacy TAs. The department is friendly and supportive, and staff in the team put students at the heart of their discussions and all they do. There is a combination of experienced teachers, ECTs, and middle leaders in the team who all work hard to ensure students are first and everyone feels supported.

There is a strong whole-school reading strategy which aims to ensure that all students can gain the educational and personal benefits of reading. Students are regularly tested using the Star Test from the Accelerated Reader Programme to track their reading ages. The specialist literacy teaching assistants intervene with students who have been identified as having gaps in their reading skill. We use the Ruth Miskin phonics programme, Rapid Plus reading scheme and other interventions to improve reading fluency and comprehension. Intervention to improve engagement with reading includes our Outwood Reads guided reading sessions, the Accelerated Reader programme and a variety of other reading incentives and competitions to encourage students to become enthusiastic independent readers.

Prospective applicants are welcome to contact Helen Murphy at h.murphy@ormesby.outwood.com if they have any questions or would like to arrange a tour of the academy.

If you share our vision, then why not join our family?

To view the job description, click here.

To view the person specification, click here.

For more information and to apply online, please click the apply button.

Closing date: Midday on 5 January 2026.

Interview date: 14 January 2026.

We reserve the right to close advertisements early. Advertisements will therefore close the day the decision has been taken to close the advertisement early.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.