Level 1 Teaching Assistant SEND

At John Smeaton Academy, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to secure the gift of choice through an excellent education. We are seeking to appoint a caring, dedicated and enthusiastic Level 1 Teaching Assistant who shares our ambition, values and commitment to ensuring every student can thrive, regardless of their starting point or individual needs. This is an exciting opportunity to join a school with a highly inclusive ethos and a growing reputation for delivering exceptional support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our SEND provision sits at the heart of academy life and reflects our belief that every student deserves to feel valued, supported and empowered to achieve success . John Smeaton Academy offers a comprehensive SEND provision which includes both Beacon, our mainstream SEND and Inclusion Base, and our specialist Resource Provision for students with complex communication needs; Horizons. Together, these provisions provide personalised support for students with a wide range of learning, communication and social-emotional needs, enabling them to access an ambitious curriculum while developing confidence, independence and essential life skills. As a Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting students across our SEND offer. This may include working with students within mainstream lessons, delivering targeted interventions, supporting students within Beacon, or assisting pupils within our specialist Resource Provision, Horizons. You will help students to access learning, develop positive relationships, build independence and achieve their full potential both academically and personally. Our SEND team is highly skilled, collaborative and committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for young people. You will work alongside teachers, SEND specialists, pastoral colleagues, families and external agencies to provide high-quality support tailored to individual student needs. Whether supporting communication development, social interaction, emotional regulation or curriculum access, you will have the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day. At John Smeaton Academy, you will join a school on a strong upward journey, serving the community of East Leeds with pride, ambition and determination. We are committed to developing our staff and offer excellent opportunities for professional learning and career progression as part of The GORSE Academies Trust. We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about supporting children and young people to succeed.
• Can build positive and trusting relationships with students.
• Has the patience, resilience and flexibility needed to support learners with a range of SEND needs.
• Works effectively as part of a team whilst using their own initiative.
• Shares our commitment to inclusion, high expectations and safeguarding.
• Is keen to develop their skills and expertise within a specialist SEND environment.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to contribute to a truly inclusive school community and help transform life chances for some of our most vulnerable young people. Join us and help ensure that every student, regardless of need, has the support, opportunities and belief to achieve their very best. What we offer you: As a trust, we want to ensure that professionals at every stage in their career have the opportunity to enjoy expert support and training. We are pleased to offer a generous benefits package to our team - as we work together to create a rewarding future for all including:
• Membership of a teacher or local government pension scheme, depending on the role.
• A commitment to continued investment in our professionals, supporting every member of staff throughout their career in the trust.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential professional advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• £2k Cycle to work scheme.
  
  As a trust, we want to ensure that professionals at every stage in their career have the opportunity to enjoy expert support and training. We are pleased to offer a generous benefits package to our team - as we work together to create a rewarding future for all including:
• Membership of a teacher or local government pension scheme, depending on the role.
• A commitment to continued investment in our professionals, supporting every member of staff throughout their career in the trust.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential professional advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• £2k Cycle to work scheme.