Higher Level Teaching Assistant/Assistant SENDCO

North Cambridge Academy; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle to work

Pension scheme

Healthcare benefits

Free parking

CPD opportunities

Job summary

North Cambridge Academy is seeking a proactive Higher-Level Teaching Assistant / Assistant SENDCO to join our SENDV team. You will plan and deliver practical support for vulnerable children and contribute to their academic, therapeutic and pastoral development.

You will work under the SENDCo to oversee the SEN register, support ASD/EHCPS/SEND cases and lead training for staff. A strong team player with safeguarding awareness is essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting SEND children in a classroom environment.
• NVQ Level 3 / HLTA or equivalent or willingness to work towards it.
• Strong team player who contributes to academy ethos and community.
• Motivated, passionate and reflective about their work.
• Demonstrates understanding of child protection and safeguarding issues.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver practical support and advice to vulnerable children and their families.
• Provide support to children’s academic, therapeutic and pastoral needs.
• Ensure welfare of pupils, with focus on SENDV.
• Oversee the SEN register and support for ASD, EHCPs and SEND.
• Lead training sessions for support staff to raise SEND awareness and current practices.
• Line-manage a team of ELSAs.

Skills

Confident & resilient

Excellent classroom practice

Team player

Motivated & reflective

Safeguarding awareness

Education

NVQ Level 3 / HLTA or equivalent

Job description

Vacancy for Higher Level Teaching Assistant / Assistant SENDCO

Salary: Meridian Trust Grade 8, Points 19-24

Hours: 37 hours p/week , 39 weeks p/year (Term Time + 1 week).

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who would like to join our friendly and hardworking SENDV team as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant / Assistant SENDCO. This is an exciting opportunity for a capable and experienced teaching assistant who is able to plan and deliver high quality and valuable support, advice and guidance to SEND children, and contribute to their continued development.

You will be working under the direction of the class teacher and SENDCo to:

• Plan and deliver practical support and advice to vulnerable children and their families.
• Provide valuable support to children academic, therapeutic and pastoral needs.
• Ensure the welfare of children attending the school, particularly focusing on children with SENDV.
• Oversee the SEN register, providing support for children with ASD, EHCPS and SEND.
• Lead valuable training sessions for support staff to raise awareness of SEND and current practices.
• Responsible for line-managing a team of ELSAs.

The ideal candidate:

• Is confident and resilient, patient and nurturing and who wants to help us to support our pupils to thrive and develop into successful young people.
• Demonstrates excellent classroom practice with high standards of teaching and learning.
• Experience supporting SEND children in a classroom environment.
• Can act on their own initiative.
• Is qualified to NVQ Level 3 for Teaching Assistants/HLTA qualification or equivalent or is willing to work towards this qualification.
• Is a good team player who is willing to contribute to the ethos and wider community of the academy.
• Is motivated, passionate, and reflective about their work.
• Demonstrates an understanding of child protection and safeguarding issues.

About North Cambridge Academy

North Cambridge Academy opened in 2013 and since then we are a rapidly improving and expanding secondary school in Cambridge, at the heart of its diverse community, where every child is known, valued and supported.

Our school has been categorised as "Good" by Ofsted since 2015 and holds the Learning Outside the Classroom Gold Award, Gold Schools Games Mark and the International School Award.

North Cambridge Academy values are to ensure every child is supported to achieve in all areas at the highest level, and to empower every child to become a successful and confident learner with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed beyond the classroom.

About Meridian Trust

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to -

• Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
• Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
• Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
• Cycle to work scheme
• Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension scheme
• Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
• Free on-site parking
• Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/.

Closing date for applications: 13th September 2026 - 9am

Interviews will be held on: Shortly after this advert is closed.

Meridian Trust reserves the right to close the applications early in the event that a suitable candidate is sourced. Applications will be reviewed as received so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.