IAP Teaching Assistant

Star Academies; Bacup; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The Valley Leadership Academy in Bacup, part of Star Academies, is seeking a dedicated individual to provide tailored support to our pupils.

You will work as part of the Star support team to help students succeed, with responsibilities including supporting learning, building positive relationships with students, parents and staff, and contributing to an outstanding learning environment.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 Teaching Assistant or A Level or equivalent.
• Experience of working with children in a secondary school or other setting.
• Experience of supporting students who have SEMH difficulties.
• The ability to maintain positive relationships with students, parents and staff.
• The ability to work effectively within a team.

Skills

Experience working with children in a

Experience supporting students withSE

Positive relationships with students,

Team player with organisational skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 Teaching Assistant or A Level or equivalent

Job description

Do you have the drive, passion and commitment to deliver outstanding support to help young people in a disadvantaged community? If so, joining the Star support team might just be the best career move you ever make. This is your opportunity to join a dedicated team of support staff who are committed to providing the best possible education for our pupils.

About The Valley Leadership Academy

The Valley Leadership Academy is a secondary school for 11 to 16-year-olds in Bacup. We joined Star Academies in 2019 and, like all Star schools, we have a leadership specialism.

When inspected by Ofsted under the new framework and 'report card' grading system in April 2026, the school secured its best-ever outcomes. We achieved 'Expected standard' in three areas and 'Needs attention' in the remaining three areas, reflecting the significant progress made since the previous inspection.

We are a rapidly improving school with high ambitions and expectations for all our pupils. We provide a knowledge-based academic curriculum alongside a rich and diverse leadership programme that grows character and inspires charitable and social action. Our pursuit of educational excellence is based upon our fundamental belief that every pupil has the capacity to become a successful and inspirational leader.

Who we're looking for

We're looking for a dedicated individual to provide tailored support to our pupils. You will be committed to making a positive difference to young people's lives and in supporting and developing their learning. Your intervention will help enable an outstanding learning environment for our young people, providing the support they need to succeed.

The successful candidate will be a committed team player with excellent organisational and technical skills. You will have the ability to effectively support learning and teaching, and to develop relationships across our school and the Star community.

You will have:

• A NVQ Level 3 Teaching Assistant or A Level or equivalent.
• Experience of working with children in a secondary school or other setting.
• Experience of supporting students who have SEMH difficulties.
• The ability to maintain positive relationships with students, parents and staff.
• The ability to work effectively within a team.

About Star Academies

Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 30 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you'll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person's future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our professional development hub, Star Talent Academy. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a large, growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level.

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.

Key Dates

Closing Date: Monday, 16 November 2026 at midnight.

Interview Date: Week commencing: 23 November 2026.

Proposed Start Date: Monday, 30 November 2026.

Our Commitment

Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks.

We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.