Teaching Assistant

Are you looking for a job where each day is different,  filled with experiences that are both challenging, fun and fulfilling? A role where you go home with a sense of achievement knowing that you and your team have made a difference every day to the wonderful young people in your care? Where you can choose a career pathway that suits your personal circumstances and professional ambitions? Where you can shine and achieve your very best with like minded people who genuinely care and work as a team?  If you are, then please read on!

We are looking to appoint committed and enthusiastic Teaching Assistants to join and support our wider SEN teams at Milestone Academy in New Ash Green and/or across our provisions at Wilmington Academy, The Leigh Academy, Dartford Primary Academy and Cherry Orchard Primary Academy. This role is ideal for those who genuinely have a passion for helping children, particularly with learning difficulties, and also a fantastic opportunity for those considering a career in Teaching to gain valuable first-hand experience. Due to the complex needs of the pupils, the role includes supporting personal care and the medical needs of pupils including administering medication, undertaking moving and handling procedures and supporting pupils who may be displaying physically challenging behaviour. The role also involves supporting pupils during physical activities such as swimming, PE and physical outdoor activities such as Forest School, community visits and work experience. Candidates who are appointed will receive full support and training from colleagues and teachers. 

Staff at Milestone Academy receive access to a great range of employment benefits from day one. Click here to view the current benefits package, and be mindful that the list is always growing. ​​​​​​​

The main aim of this role is to support our teachers to deliver academic excellence, day in, day out, with professionalism and enthusiasm. 

The basis of the role is permanent, 31.75 hours per week (8.45am - 3.30pm and until 4:30pm on alternate Tuesdays), Term Time + 1 week inset and offers an actual salary of £16,764 per annum (£22,714 full-time equivalent).

What are we looking for in you?  Applicants will have previous experience of working with young people, either in an academic setting or as a voluntary worker. You will be educated to GCSE level (or equivalent) in English and maths. 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.

As a Trust we feel it is important to hire for the right attitude which is why we look for support assistants that are enthusiastic, focused and resilient to the day to day pressures that the classroom brings.

Hear from a previous Teaching Assistant of ours: "I started my career at Milestone Academy 10 years ago as a Teaching Assistant. Supporting students with a range of learning styles alongside completing professional development courses at Milestone Academy allowed me to gain the skills and confidence to begin my career in teaching. Milestone Academy has supported my journey through gaining a degree, leading onto my current position completing my teacher training to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). There are ample opportunities for career progression at Milestone Academy and the support received from all colleagues and senior leadership has been integral. The staff at Milestone Academy are so supportive of one another and the whole staff community is focused on the best possible outcomes for our students."

Working for Milestone Academy: Milestone Academy is a large special school for pupils with Profound, Severe and Complex needs, and is part of Leigh Academies Trust.  We currently have 385 pupils on roll aged between the ages of 2 and 19. Milestone Academy has been judged as Outstanding by Ofsted at our last three inspections. Click here to view our website and learn more about Milestone Academy.