Teaching Assistant

We have a great opportunity for knowledgeable and efficient individuals to join us in the role of Teaching Assistant at the Leigh Academy Blackheath, starting as soon as possible. The overarching purpose of the role is to work with pupils who have learning difficulties usually with a statement of Special Educational Needs. This role will suit both experienced TAs who are looking to join our academy, and also be suitable for graduates looking to gain first-hand experience with a view to commencing Teacher Training with us in the future.

Successful candidates will work 1:1 with selected pupils and also support small groups both in mainstream classes and inclusion workspace and will help to prepare specialist material for them. You will have the opportunity to be part of a team that is truly changing lives and positively transforming the local community. This is an exciting time to consider joining us so please take a close look at the role details and if you feel you have the necessary attitude and experience then we would love to hear from you. Previous experience isn’t essential but the successful candidate will offer enthusiasm, flexibility, a sense of humour and a willingness to learn.

What we expect of you and the main duties in this role include the following;

• To support pupil(s) learning needs. This may involve using a wide range of strategies and methods, according to difficulty, including personal care.
• To encourage positive friendship patterns for all pupils in class and particularly the supported pupil.
• To motivate and support pupil(s) to remain on task and complete work in a focused way.
• To take part in school activities and events as required, accompanying and supporting children on outings from school as necessary.
• To attend training days/meetings that support the pupil(s) or address the needs of the school, in accordance with contractual arrangements as appropriate.
• To liaise with external agencies and follow their advice for safety, learning and therapy programmes, as appropriate.
• To have regular, positive contact with the parents/carers of the supported child and feedback orally to the appropriate staff.
• To contribute orally and in writing to the Individual Education Programme (IEP) and Annual Review of the supported pupil(s) as appropriate.
• To have due regard to the Health & Safety at Work legislation in carrying out all aspects of the post.
• To work with individual pupils, and groups of pupils, with learning difficulties, both in class and in the Learning Support and Inclusion base, to enable them to access the curriculum.
• To liaise with individual support teachers and other school staff in the preparation of plans and materials.
• To prepare and adapt materials suitable for pupils with learning difficulties to use in class and in withdrawal lessons.

What are we looking for in you? It is preferable for applicants will have previous experience of working with young people but not essential. You will be educated to GCSE level (or equivalent) in literacy and numeracy. You will be committed to personal learning and development, and have a sincere commitment to sharing our long-term aims and drive for continuous improvement. In return, we will offer you a professional and supportive team, a state of the art working environment and a genuine opportunity to develop.

This is a permanent role offering an actual salary of £18,075 per annum (£25,082 full time equivalent), based on 31 hours per week, Term Time + 1 week of inset. 

​​​​​Working at Leigh Academy Blackheath: We are a co-educational 11-18yr comprehensive school and, already oversubscribed, our new school is a beacon of excellence for secondary education in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. We are driven by the belief that every learner is entitled to an enriching, varied and personalised education; delivered through a broad and balanced curriculum that provides challenge, irrespective of need, starting point or background. Our mission is to ensure all our students develop into powerful citizens of the digital future on both a national and global scale.

Our strong learning community works together and shares the value of collaboration; every member of our academy family works together to achieve success, cultivating a strong sense of belonging. Our belief in ‘human-scale’ education, delivered through a schools-within-schools model, ensures every one of our students is known and valued. Strong pastoral care is at the heart of our academy and we place great importance on building strong partnerships with parents and carers.

Since opening in September 2018, Leigh Academy Blackheath (LAB) has established itself as the local community’s preferred choice for their child’s secondary education. We have received over 1,000 applications for this September’s 180 Year 7 places, with nearly 300 first choice preferences. It is an exciting time to be joining our learning community.

At LAB, everything we do is built upon our core values of: Respect, Integrity, Ambition, Scholarship and Resilience. We are a strong team and work hard together to ensure every student realises their full potential. Staff have access to a wide range of professional development opportunities both within the academy and across Leigh Academies Trust (LAT). A flexible approach with a can-do ethos is required, as is drive, grit and boundless enthusiasm. A sense of humour is essential!

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2022, our Trust comprises 30 geographically organised academies (14 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating 20,000 students, and employing 3,000 talented staff. 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.

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​​​​​.