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Kingsmead Academy in Taunton is seeking a Level 1 Teaching Assistant to support students with learning needs. The role is 22.25 hours per week, term time only with inset days, and offers a permanent contract. Salary ranges from £13,799 to £15,040 per year, with full-time equivalent rates provided for 39 weeks.
Start date January 2027, with pre-employment checks. The role emphasizes inclusive education, safeguarding, and working closely with teachers and families to help students access learning
Job Title: Teaching Assistant – Level 1
Actual Annual Salary: £13,799 - £15,040 (Based on hours and week worked)
Full Time Equivalent Salary: £26,798 - £29,208 (CLF Grade B) Based on full time hours, all year round.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 22.25 hours per week - Part Time, Term Time Only plus Inset days
Additional Information: The role is 3.5 days per week. Flexibility around working days may be available, and a job share will be considered for suitable candidates.
Potential Start Date: January 2027 (Subject to completion of pre‑employment checks).
Make a difference by helping students overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential through personalised support, encouragement, and care.
You will:
Have a keen interest in working with children and a genuine commitment to inclusion, ensuring every student feels valued, supported and able to succeed.
Understand the role of a Teaching Assistant and how effective support enables students to access learning, make progress and achieve their potential.
Be able to build positive relationships with students, demonstrating patience, empathy and active listening.
Be confident supporting students on a one-to-one basis and in small groups, using appropriate strategies to engage learners and promote positive behaviour.
Have strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, parents/carers and other professionals.
Be adaptable and responsive to the varying needs of students, including those with SEND and additional learning needs.
Have good organisational skills and be able to assist in the preparation of learning activities, resources and support materials.
Work collaboratively as part of a team, contributing positively to student outcomes and the wider school community.
Demonstrate good literacy and numeracy skills and be confident using IT to support learning and administrative tasks.
Be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, safety and well‑being of children and young people.
Maintain professionalism, discretion and confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
Be committed to continuous professional development, including undertaking relevant training and qualifications where appropriate.
Be flexible, resilient and able to remain calm under pressure while supporting students with a wide range of needs.
Kingsmead School is a rural mixed ability Academy with a fully comprehensive intake situated near the Devon/Somerset border, close to the Brendon Hills and Exmoor. It is a magnificent area in which to live and work. Not only is there the tranquillity and beauty of the countryside but there is the rapidly growing county town of Taunton nearby and easy access (20 minutes) to the M5 for connections to the rest of the country. The school lies in the small town of Wiveliscombe. It caters for the age range 11‑16 and has 884 students and just over 100 staff. Our latest Ofsted Report, in June 2022, gave an overall judgement that Kingsmead “requires improvement”. Mr J Eddy, Headteacher, joined Kingsmead in January 2023. He is determined to improve education at Kingsmead for our superb body of students. The core values of Kingsmead are Care, Aspiration, Respect and Determination which drive our strong positive ethos and offering amenities for the whole school community. We have high expectations and expect staff to support our caring, student‑centred ethos to set high standards for our students. We hope staff will contribute to and lead some of the wide range of extra‑curricular opportunities we offer.
We are a diverse and inclusive community of 37 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others. We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
Closing Date: 01 November 2026 @ 11.59pm
Shortlisting date: 04 November 2026
Interviews: 11 November 2026