Teaching Assistant

Saxon Hill Academy; Lichfield; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous holiday entitlement

Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan

DiscountForTeachers scheme

Free Eye Tests

Cycle to work scheme

Institute of Education opportunities

Job summary

Saxon Hill Academy in the United Kingdom is seeking a Teaching Assistant to support pupils aged 2–19 with complex needs, disabilities and communication challenges.

The role requires energy, initiative, and flexibility to work across school departments, with a focus on pupil welfare and collaboration with staff and families.

Qualifications

• A proven track record of working with vulnerable children in education, health or care contexts is essential.
• Experience supporting pupils with complex communication needs is highly desirable (Autism, Makaton or BSL a plus).
• Excellent communication skills with pupils, families and staff are required.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with complex learning and care needs across school departments.
• Foster a positive, inclusive environment with mutual respect for all students.

Skills

Communication skills

Special needs experience

Autism awareness

Makaton/BSL familiarity

Job description

We are seeking to appoint a Teaching Assistant with the enthusiasm and capacity to support the wide range of educational and personal care needs of the pupils at Saxon Hill Academy. A successful candidate will have a positive attitude and initiative, a knowledge and experience of working with children who have special needs especially in the areas of physical disability, sensory, complex medical and communication difficulties.

You will be able to work with energy and enthusiasm and be keen to learn and develop new skills, be flexible to work in any of the school departments supporting students of ages 2 – 19 years with a whole range of complex learning and care needs and you will be pupil focused and have the desire and ability to support all our students with care and mutual respect.

We would be especially interested in applicants who have proven successful experience supporting pupils who have complex communication needs and /or successful experience in supporting pupils who require positive behaviour interventions.

A proven track record of working successfully with vulnerable children and/ or adults in an education, health or care context and excellent communication skills are essential for this role and experience working with Autism and Makaton or BSL would be an advantage.

Saxon Hill Academy is a unique school for children and young people aged 2 to 19 who have complex needs and physical disabilities. We pride ourselves on providing an excellent all-round education which prepares our young people for independent living, as well as the world of work. Those who know our school, often complement its positive family atmosphere, the progress that we help our students to achieve and the happiness they see amongst all our students and staff. They also point to the fact that students are actively focused on supporting each other to do their best.

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

Our values—opportunity, integrity, community, and equity—guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.

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

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through 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 a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

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

Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.

We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Actual Salary: £20,554 - £21,554

Working hours: 32.5 hrs per week Mon - Fri 8:45am – 3:45pm

Term time only plus 5 inset days, working 39 weeks