Level 3 Teaching Assistant

Blackfriars Academy; Newcastle-under-Lyme; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackfriars Academy in Newcastle-under-Lyme is seeking a Level 3 Teaching Assistant to support pupils with learning and behavioural needs. You will work closely with teachers, provide tailored 1:1 support, monitor progress and help develop confidence and social skills.

We value patience, adaptability and commitment to our pupils' success. You will participate in planning, record keeping and liaise with families to promote attendance and engagement, while upholding a safe, welcoming school

Qualifications

• Patient, compassionate, adaptable, and committed to supporting every child to succeed.

Responsibilities

• Provide tailored support to pupils with educational, behavioural and pastoral needs.
• Offer 1:1 mentoring and support, assist with learning and behaviour programmes.
• Monitor and record pupil progress and contribute to individual support plans.
• Liaise with parents and carers and promote positive attendance, inclusion and engagement.

Job description

Blackfriars Academy are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and committed Level 3 Teaching Assistant to join our school team and help pupils overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential.

Working closely with teachers and other staff, you will provide tailored support to pupils with a range of educational, behavioural and pastoral needs. You will build positive relationships with pupils, provide 1:1 mentoring and support, assist with learning and behaviour programmes, and help pupils develop their confidence, independence and social skills.

The role will also involve supporting classroom activities, monitoring and recording pupil progress, contributing to individual support plans, liaising with parents and carers, and promoting positive attendance, inclusion and engagement.

We are seeking someone who is patient, compassionate, adaptable and committed to supporting every child to succeed. You will be a positive role model, work effectively as part of a team and contribute to a safe, inclusive and welcoming school environment.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is passionate about helping young people thrive, both academically and personally.

Blackfriars Academy is a truly exceptional place to learn and grow.

We are a vibrant learning community of around 120 students, aged 11 to 16, supported by over 90 dedicated staff members. Together, we are committed to helping young people with profound and complex, moderate, or severe learning needs achieve their full potential.

What makes us special is our unwavering focus on providing an outstanding educational experience tailored to a wide range of individual needs. Our inclusive and nurturing environment allows every student to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. At Blackfriars, students don’t just attend school—they flourish.

AtShaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life.Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, orleading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Ourvalues— opportunity, integrity, community, and equity —guide everything wedo. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power oflearning.” We bring this to life through our mission: workingtogether to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voicematters, and every learner thrives.

Weare a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools,proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.

Ourpeople are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their developmentthrough high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes,and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled,confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster aculture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a realdifference.

Youwill join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and astrong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust hasan equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailoredlearning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

Ifyou have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and createfutures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.

Together,let’s make the remarkable happen.

Webelieve every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Makea life-changing difference in one of our special schools

Ourspecial schools are inspiring, welcoming and truly life-changing places towork. Every day, our dedicated teams help children and young people with a widerange of special educational needs and disabilities to discover theirstrengths, achieve their ambitions and live happy, fulfilling lives.

Ourpupils include children and young people with profound and multiple learningdisabilities, complex medical needs, sensory impairments, moderate and severelearning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Everypupil is unique, and every achievement and milestone is recognised andcelebrated.

Byjoining one of our special schools, you will become part of a warm,compassionate and highly skilled team, united by a shared belief in what everychild and young person can achieve. You will work in a supportive environmentwhere relationships matter, ideas are welcomed and every role makes animportant contribution.

Whetheryou join us as a teacher, teaching assistant, healthcare professional or aspart of our administration, facilities or operational teams, you will have theopportunity to develop your skills, learn from experienced colleagues and builda rewarding career in special education.

Ourpupils learn in small classes and benefit from personalised education, care andsupport shaped around their individual strengths, needs and aspirations.Together, our teams help pupils develop their knowledge, communication,independence and confidence, while preparing them for adulthood and theirfuture lives.

Workingin one of our special schools is much more than a job. It is an opportunity tojoin an extraordinary community and make a lasting difference to children,young people and their families.

Joinus and help transform lives, including your own.

ShawEducation Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching orSupport Staff employment:

• Anexcellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / TeachersPension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based onworking full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your firstday of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’service including Bank Holidays)
• Accessto Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed tosupport your well-being.
• FreeDiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusivediscounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offersfrom hundreds of the biggest brands.
• FreeEye Tests
• Cycleto work scheme
• Access to our Institute ofEducation and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute andflourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’recommitted to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is arewarding one.

Colleagueswithin the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses bothin-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of theNational Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programmedelivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for AmbitionInstitute.

• Experiencedleadership and subject-specific support.

• Guidancefrom former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Accessto the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunitiesto work with different schools within the Trust as a ProfessionalAdvocate.
• Participatingin peer reviews.
• Accessto a suite of online courses.
• Placementprojects within our family of schools.

Actual Salary: £21,554-£23,746

Working hours: 32.5 (08.45 - 15.45 Mon-Fri) Term Time plus 1 week

Contract type: fixed term until 31.08.027