Teaching Assistant

What skills and experience we’re looking for

Are you passionate about removing learning barriers and enabling every student to reach their potential? Join us as a Teaching Assistant, working directly with teachers to implement tailored learning activities and provide essential academic and welfare support to individuals and small groups. This varied role spans classroom support, intervention management (including for SEND and EAL students), and helping to develop individualised student support plans.

You will be integral to the teaching cycle, implementing planned learning activities, supporting the teacher in monitoring and recording student progress, and providing constructive feedback to students. You will support students with special educational needs (SEND) or English as an additional language (EAL), assisting in the development of individual plans like One Page Profiles and EHCPs.

Duties include supporting student social and emotional well-being, assisting with eating, dressing, and hygiene where required, and providing cover and assistance in intervention settings like the Bridge and PLC. You will also assist in escorting and supervising students on educational visits and invigilate formal examinations.

We require candidates with experience of working effectively either within a school environment or directly with children and young people. The role demands strong communication skills and the ability to work flexibly to meet business needs. Essential skills include proficiency in using standard ICT packages, including Microsoft Office, and the ability to respect and maintain confidentiality, following general data protection regulations.

Candidates must be willing to undertake necessary training to assist students, including meeting medical or care plan agreements. Previous experience working with children with Special Needs and/or challenging behaviours is desirable.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) places staff development at the heart of its strategy to deliver excellence, aiming to recruit, develop, and retain the best staff through the Outwood Institute of Education (OIE).

We offer a supportive package focusing on professional advancement, secure benefits, and work-life balance:

• Secure Pay & Pension:
  
  Competitive salary, automatic pay progression, and enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Training & Progression:
  
  Access to diverse CPD opportunities, including apprenticeships and vocational qualifications.
• Flexibility & Leave:
  
  Flexible family policies, enhanced occupational benefits (with no qualifying period), and 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays for non-term time staff. (Holiday for part-time staff is calculated on a pro-rata basis)
• Wellbeing & Perks:
  
  Dedicated mental well-being strategy, free on-site parking, employee discounts, and access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) is an education charity and not-for-profit sponsor of primary, junior and secondary academies. We are a dynamic organisation, recognised nationally as one of the highest performing family of schools in the North of England, and we currently sponsor over 40 schools. Our educational blueprint has been developed through leading and supporting schools over many years. We have used this successful blueprint to sponsor academies and have a transformational effect on children’s life chances within very quick timescales.

We feel strongly that academies should enhance the education provision of the community they serve, in addition to driving up standards and playing a central role in regeneration. This is because we believe that improving the life chances of young people is essential to developing a strong local and national economy. We are now comprised of over 40 schools who work together to ensure that all children, irrespective of their starting point, receive an excellent education.

We pride ourselves on meeting the needs of children in our care, including the most vulnerable or challenging.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.