Teaching Assistant

Leigh Academy Blackheath (LAB) is a co-educational 11-19 Outstanding comprehensive school, located in Blackheath, Royal Borough of Greenwich. LAB is also an International Baccalaureate World School, delivering the highly regarded Middle Years Programme at KS3, and will open its new P16 provision - LAB16, in September 2023.

‘Pupils behave exceptionally well. Classrooms are calm places where pupils can focus on their learning’ - OFSTED December 2022

We believe 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. If you are as passionate about achieving this as we are, and have the drive and determination to ensure all SEN students realise their full potential, we invite you to join our team.

‘Staff are proud to work at this school where everyone’s contribution is valued’ - OFSTED December 2022.

This is an exciting opportunity for an inspiring, knowledgeable and experienced individual, and the position is available immediately. The overarching responsibility of the role is to work with students who have learning difficulties, usually with a statement of Special Educational Needs. Successful candidates will work 1:1 with selected students and also support small groups both in mainstream classes and intervention activities, and will help to prepare specialist material for them. 

‘Leaders provide excellent development opportunities for all staff.  They are conscious of staff workload and well-being’ - OFSTED December 2022

This role will suit either an experienced Teaching Assistant, or a graduate who is looking to gain first-hand experience prior to applying for a teacher training course. 

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

• To foster strong links between home and school.  Working effectively as part of a team to ensure that the wellbeing and personal development of the learner enhances their learning opportunities and life skills. 
• To attend planning meetings with the SENCO to develop learning programmes, assisting in the delivery of adaptive learning, based on student(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 students in class and particularly the supported student. 
• To motivate and support student(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 work proactively with SEND team members, ensuring school values are upheld in all areas of the working day. Using drive and initiative to deal with unique situations, where deemed necessary.
• To attend training days/meetings that support the student(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 make or modify materials as required e.g worksheets, games, visual prompt cards etc.
• To have regular, positive contact with the parents/carers of the supported child and feedback orally to the appropriate staff. To maintain confidentiality and sensitivity to learners’ needs, having regard for the safeguarding procedures of the school
• To contribute orally and in writing to the Individual Education Programme (IEP) and Annual Review of the supported student(s) as appropriate.
• To have due regard to the Health & Safety at Work legislation in carrying out all aspects of the post. To understand and apply the school policies on learning and behaviour, and the statutory guidelines relating to disability discrimination and special educational needs
• To work with individual students, and groups of students, 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 students with learning difficulties to use in class and in withdrawal lessons.​​​​​​​

What are we looking for in you? It is preferable for applicants to have previous experience of working with young people but not essential. You will be educated to at least GCSE level (or equivalent) in literacy and numeracy. You will have knowledge and understanding of the different, social, cultural and physical needs of young people. 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 £16,476 (£22,864 full time equivalent), based on 31 hours per week, Term Time + 1 week of inset.

Working at Leigh Academy Blackheath: We are an Outstanding co-educational 11-19 yr comprehensive school, heavily oversubscribed, and our 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.

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.