Teaching Assistant at Thornhill Academy

Thornhill Academy; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Thornhill Academy, part of Consilium Academies, is located near Sunderland and serves 11-16 students. We are seeking a Teaching Assistant to support pupils with learning, wellbeing and development, under the guidance of the class teacher, helping to provide engaging activities and assist with planning and assessment.

The role focuses on inclusivity, safeguarding and working with pupils with autism (1:1 and small groups), with responsibilities across supporting pupils, teachers, and the

Qualifications

• Good numeracy and literacy skills (NVQ 2 or equivalent)
• Experience working with children of secondary age
• Ability to build positive relationships with pupils, staff and parents
• Understanding of child development and learning processes
• Ability to support pupils with autism (1:1 and small groups)
• Knowledge of the national curriculum and learning programmes
• Commitment to safeguarding and equality

Responsibilities

• Support for Pupils: Provide tailored support to pupils, including those with SEND; promote independence, positive behaviour, and engagement; assist with Education/Behaviour Plans and personal care needs; establish positive relationships and promote inclusion; give feedback to pupils to support progress

Skills

Good numeracy and literacy skills

Experience with secondary age pupils

Strong team player

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Teaching Assistance

NVQ Level 2 in a curriculum area

Job description

About this Role

Job Title Teaching Assistant

Location: Thornhill Academy

Salary: Grade 4 (NJC Scale Points 6 to 8) £21,719.96 - £22,417.35

Contract: FTC until 31/08/27 - 32.5 hours per week, TermTime plus 5 days

Start Date: October2026

Join Our Mission to Inspire, Support and Empower Every Learner

Thankyou for considering a role with Consilium Academies and Thornhill Academy. Weare a trust and school community driven by values, purpose, and a shared beliefthat every young person deserves an excellent education-and we would love youto join us on that journey.

A Welcome from Consilium Academies

AtConsilium, we are committed to being an excellent trust with excellent schools,guided by our core values: Excellence, Equity, and Integrity. We celebrate theunique strengths of every pupil and colleague, and we work collaboratively toensure everyone reaches their full potential.

OurCentre for Professional Learning provides colleagues with tailored training,career development opportunities, and the support needed to flourish. Webelieve in fairness, inclusion, and giving everyone the opportunity tothrive-regardless of background.

Weaim to create vibrant, diverse, and supportive communities across all ouracademies, where lifelong learning and ambition are encouraged. Thank you foryour interest in joining the Consilium family.

A Welcome from Thornhill Academy

Thankyou for your interest in joining Thornhill Academy. We are extremely proud ofour school and the progress we have made. Our May 2024 Ofsted inspection, whichgraded us 'Good', reflects the rapid improvement journey we are on. With abrand-new school building due to begin construction in April 2026, this is anexciting time to become part of our team.

ThornhillAcademy is a warm, inclusive, and diverse community. Our students represent 14ethnicities and 35 languages, and we celebrate this richness in our culture,curriculum, and day-to-day school life.

Ourmission is simple: to enable every child to access the best possible future,whether that is university or a fulfilling alternative pathway. We have highexpectations, a strong commitment to kindness, fairness, and hard work, and agenuine focus on supporting every student to succeed.

Welook forward to receiving your application.

About Thornhill Academy

ThornhillAcademy is an 11-16 secondary school located near Sunderland City Centre. Wepride ourselves on developing confident, resilient, and responsible youngpeople in a nurturing environment. Our staff and governors are proud of ourachievements and the wide range of extra-curricular activities we offer.

Weaim to:

• Promote a culture where students take responsibility for their actions and learning
• Create a safe, supportive and happy environment where diversity is celebrated
• Inspire a lifelong passion for learning through high-quality teaching
• Support every pupil's physical, emotional, social, and academic development

About the Role

Asa Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting students'learning, wellbeing, and development. Working under the guidance of the classteacher, you will help to provide engaging activities, assist with planning andassessment, and ensure pupils can access learning effectively-both in andbeyond the classroom.

Key Responsibilities

Support for Pupils

• Provide tailored support to pupils, including those with SEND
• Promote independence, positive behaviour, and engagement
• Assist with Education/Behaviour Plans and personal care needs
• Establish positive relationships, promoting inclusion and acceptance
• Give feedback to pupils to support their progress

Support for Teachers

• Assist in preparing resources and maintaining a purposeful learning environment
• Support with planning and delivering structured learning activities
• Monitor, record, and report pupils' progress
• Carry out routine marking and behaviour support
• Help with display work and supervision

Support for the Curriculum

• Deliver agreed interventions and learning programmes (e.g. literacy, numeracy)
• Support the use of ICT and develop pupil independence
• Prepare and maintain equipment and resources

General Responsibilities

• Ensure safeguarding, health & safety, confidentiality, and data protection procedures are followed
• Attend relevant meetings and training
• Contribute to the wider life and ethos of the school

Person Specification

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Teaching Assistance (or equivalent experience)
• Good numeracy and literacy skills (NVQ Level 2 or equivalent)
• Experience working with children of secondary age
• Understanding of child development and learning processes
• Ability to support pupils with autism (1:1 and small group)
• Knowledge of the national curriculum and learning programmes
• Ability to build positive relationships with pupils, staff, and parents
• Strong team player with good communication skills
• Commitment to safeguarding and equality

Desirable

• Experience working with pupils with additional needs
• Full understanding of support services and multi-agency working
• NVQ Level 2 in a curriculum area (if applicable)
• Understanding of relevant legislation and policies

Why Join Us?

• A supportive school and trust with strong shared values
• Excellent professional development opportunities
• A diverse and vibrant school community
• Opportunities to shape the lives of young people every day
• A school on an exciting improvement and redevelopment journey

Safeguarding

ConsiliumAcademies is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of childrenand young people. All roles require an Enhanced DBS check.

Consilium Academies is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments are made subject to an Enhanced DBSCheck, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

The Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed tocreating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Under Part7 of the Immigration Act 2016, the Public Sector fluency duty requires statefunded schools to ensure candidates for their customer facing roles have thenecessary standard of spoken English.