Teaching Assistant

The Dean Academy; Lydney; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dean Academy is seeking a passionate practitioner to work with students with special educational needs. The role focuses on supporting inclusive teaching and ensuring every pupil has access to a high-quality education.

This position values collaboration with families and external professionals, a positive, proactive approach, and a commitment to ongoing professional development within a supportive school community.

Qualifications

• Good knowledge of special educational needs and disabilities; experience with secondary-age students preferred.
• Commitment to inclusive practice across the curriculum.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage with young people to maximise learning and progress.
• Empathetic but able to help move students forward.
• Highly organised and adaptable with a positive, enthusiastic approach.
• Desire to learn new skills and pursue professional development.

Responsibilities

• Support inclusive ethos and personalised education within the curriculum.
• Collaborate with families and external professionals to support students' needs.

Skills

SEND experience

Inclusive practice

Interpersonal skills

Communication with students

Empathy and progress

Organisational ability

Professional development

Job description

• Have a good knowledge of special educational needs and disabilities experience of ideally with secondary age students. Experience of working with students with Cognition and Learning and Communication and Interaction needs is desirable but not required.
• Have a commitment to, and passion for, inclusive practice across the curriculum.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with our young people in an engaging way to maximise their learning and champion their progress.
• Have the ability to empathise but move students forward
• Be highly organised and adaptable, with an enthusiastic and positive approach.
• Have the desire to learn new skills and be ambitious for their own professional and career development

At The Dean Academy we offer a broad and challenging curriculum to enable all students to gain a deep knowledge and understanding of the world around them. We are proud of our inclusive approach, which is informed by the principle that a stimulating and personalised education is an entitlement for every child.

This was recognised in the recent Ofsted report where the school was praised for promoting an inclusive ethos working with families and external professionals to support students' needs.

The Athelstan Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check along with standard pre-employment safeguarding checks. As the role includes working with children, it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must, therefore, disclose all spent and unspent convictions. References will be sought for shortlisted candidates before interview. Please also be aware that you will be subject to an online check and that you may be questioned about the findings of such a check at your interview.

We are a flexible working employer, and we are willing to make any reasonable adjustments you require during your interview so please ask us.