Teaching Assistant

Closing date: 17th April 2023 (12 noon)

Short Listing: 18th April 2023

Interview date: 27th / 28th April 2023

• Do you have the highest expectations and aspirations for every young person to be “the best they can be”?
• Are you looking for a creative and diverse role within a dynamic team?
• Are you excited by all of the opportunities, challenges and rewards of working with children and young people with complex Special Educational Needs?

Then Kenwood Academy may be exactly what you are looking for…

Kenwood Academy is an 11-19 special school based in the Nether Edge area of Sheffield. We are currently expanding our provision, so we need more great teaching assistants to join our growing team. Every day we make a huge difference to the lives of the children and young people in our community, all of whom have EHCPs, with a diagnosis or traits of Autism and other related Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

We are looking to appoint teaching assistants who have a real passion to support the academic learning and personal development of the children and young people at Kenwood Academy. This position will particularly appeal to individuals who have a wide range of skills and talents to offer, such as a background in enrichment and wider extra-curricular activities, as we feel these attributes will complement the role well. We are looking for practitioners who have an innovative, energetic and resilient approach to their work and who aren’t afraid to think of new and interesting approaches to the provision and support we offer.

We are proud of our strong reputation with children and families, other professionals, other agencies and Sheffield Local Authority. Our shared vision for Nexus Multi-Academy Trust is that we are constantly "Learning together, to be the best we can be". This vision is what we aspire for and is as relatable to every employee and partner of our Trust as it is to our children, young adults and their families. We are fully committed to partnerships and all of the educational benefits of collaborative working. You can find out more at: www.nexusmat.org

The successful candidate will work alongside teachers and other team members. Whether you are an experienced teaching assistant who has worked within special educational needs settings or someone who has exceptional vocational skills and a real drive to make a difference in children’s lives, you must be able to provide our children with aspirations and skills for their futures and you must be able to promote an exceptionally positive culture in everything you do.

  You will need to demonstrate that you:

·        Have experience of supporting children with special educational needs, including autism or traits of autism, in a mainstream, resource base or special school setting

·        Have the skills to place students’ learning at the centre of all your work

·        Have the ability to make sound judgements on the attainment and progress of students

·        Have excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills with the ability to enthuse and motivate others

·        Have the ability to set appropriate and challenging targets for yourself and others

·        Have the ability to contribute to and share best practice with other members of our team

·        Have a strong commitment to working in partnership with families

·        Are Team Teach/Advanced Team Teach or equivalent trained or you are willing to undertake training

·        Are committed to supporting the aims of Kenwood Academy and Nexus Multi-Academy-Trust

What you can expect from us:

·        An exciting opportunity to join a brand-new school with strong partnerships across the city and local region

·        A strong commitment to your own learning, including access to tailored CPD and coaching

·        Leading employment benefits including access to pension scheme and employee assistance programmes

·        Opportunities for professional and career development and collaboration across our Trust

·        An opportunity to join a team of dedicated and hard-working professionals who put our students at the centre of everything they do

How to Apply:

To apply, please complete and return an application form, which can be requested from our Senior Administrator, Julie Ramsden, by emailing Kenwood@nexusmat.org

All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application. If you would like an informal and confidential conversation about the role, please contact the office on 0114 2582140.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.

Nexus Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post involves working with children and therefore if successful you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at an enhanced level and a barred list check. Further information about the Disclosure and Barring Service and can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.