Teaching Assistant

Leighacademiestrust; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Free virtual GP Service (24/7)

Collaborative MAT network

LAT benefits

Job summary

Leigh Academy Bearsted is seeking a Teaching Assistant to support children with communication and interaction difficulties across Early Years and Year 1. The role focuses on SEND, with scaffolding techniques and targeted interventions to help each child reach their potential.

The successful candidate will have strong English and Maths, good teamwork, and the ability to adapt instructions for individual learning needs, including personal care when required.

Qualifications

• Background working with children with SEND in EYFS/KS1.
• Experience with supporting children who are pre-verbal / Gestalt Language Processors and with AAC is preferable but not essential.
• Ability to work 1:1 or in small groups and provide personal care when needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide tailored support to meet the needs of children with communication and interaction difficulties.
• Use scaffolding techniques and targeted interventions as required.
• Maintain high standards of English and Maths in line with classroom expectations.

Skills

SEND experience

EYFS/KS1 experience

1:1 support

Communication skills

Education

Relevant education or training in supporting pupils with SEND

Job description

Competitive salary with progression opportunities + Local Government Pension Scheme + 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service + collaborative MAT network + additional LAT benefits.

Leigh Academy Bearsted offers an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team, supporting a small number of children with communication and interaction difficulties across Early Years and Year 1.

The ideal candidate will have a genuine passion for working with children with SEND and a talent for inspiring learning and fostering development. They will hold high expectations for themselves and for the pupils, striving to ensure every child is fully included and able to reach its potential. Adaptability, initiative, and a strong commitment to teamwork are essential qualities for this role.

Working closely with our class teachers, you will provide tailored support to meet the unique needs of our children, employing scaffolding techniques and targeted interventions as necessary. We are also looking for proven high standards of both spoken and written English and Mathematics. Being able to communicate effectively with children and adults is essential, together with a friendly and approachable manner. Our newly appointed Teaching Assistant will be able to work using their own initiative and demonstrate effective behaviour management skills. Quick thinking and the ability to adapt ideas to support individual learning needs are key.

In return, you will join a welcoming and supportive environment, with numerous opportunities for professional development both within the academy and across the broader Trust.

We are particularly looking for someone who:

• is dedicated to the job and prioritises the needs of the children in their care
• has experience of working within EYFS and KS1 with children with SEN
• has some experience of supporting children who are pre-verbal / Gestalt Language Processors, with experience of the AAC approach preferable but not essential
• is happy to work with children on a 1:1 basis and/or in a small group and provide personal care when needed
• is resilient and solution-focused
• is committed to working as part of a team with everyone.

What makes Leigh Academy Bearsted a special place to work:

Make a difference every day - join an inspiring and supportive staff team committed to providing a good level of education for every pupil.

Develop your career - whether you're exploring a future in teaching or looking to grow within education, you'll benefit from excellent training and development opportunities.

Time to grow - we value collaboration and provide high-quality professional development within a supportive environment.

Be part of a community - join a caring and dedicated team that works together to ensure every child feels valued, supported and inspired to succeed.

This is a fixed-term position, offering an actual salary of £19,655 per annum (£26,016 full time equivalent) based on 32.5 hours per week, Term Time + 1 week of inset.

Working with us at Leigh Academy Bearsted

Leigh Academy Bearsted is an "exceptional academy in every way" as judged by Ofsted in January 2023. We are a growing academy, housed in a new, spacious, and modern building with well-resourced classrooms and extensive outdoor learning areas.

At our core is a broad and balanced curriculum, significantly enhanced as an authorised International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) World School. This inquiry-led framework fosters independent learners and challenging experiences, developing a genuine thirst for learning. We focus on the whole child, nurturing social, emotional, and academic skills, encouraging them to challenge, question, and take ownership of their learning.

Ofsted highlighted our outstanding ongoing professional development for staff, delivered both internally and by Trust curriculum experts. We are committed to providing a safe, caring environment where children feel empowered to take risks, embrace learning, and develop pride in their achievements.

Discover more about our vibrant academy by visiting our website.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity

Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about it on our Careers site. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.