Teaching Assistant - Behaviour Support

Avon Valley Academy is looking to appoint a caring and motivated Teaching Assistant to work as part of our behaviour and inclusion team to provide support to students within our enhanced provisions. This is a wonderful opportunity to join our dedicated team, who encourage all students to have high self-worth and love coming to school.

Working Hours: Part time (30 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 39 weeks per year, includes Teacher Training Days). Required: ASAP / September 2026

We are a thriving, co-educational school, educating young people between the ages of 11 and 16. Located in Durrington, Wiltshire, our school has a strong reputation for being at the heart of the community and has built strong relationships with the two local army bases at Larkhill and Bulford. With our strong pastoral care and high standards for behaviour, we aim for every lesson and every day to be exceptional so that each individual can thrive and our dedicated and supportive staff go the extra mile to help all our students achieve their dreams. In July 2025, we were graded good across all areas by Ofsted.

As a behaviour support Teaching Assistant, you must be willing to work with students of all abilities and profiles across years 7-11, and be prepared to work flexibly to support students with complex needs, including those requiring SEN and behaviour support. In this role, you will work as part of a dedicated team that includes SLT, teachers, support staff and our SENCO. The role will require you to oversee and support pupils who struggle with behaviour, and who require consistency and kindness. Successful candidates will be expected to support and promote an inclusive culture through the school, enabling all pupils to achieve their best and overcome barriers to learning and participation.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a passion for delivering high quality and exciting opportunities for children and supporting them in their development;
• Has strong interpersonal and communication skills and is able to work with a variety of pupils, staff and parents;
• Enjoys working with young people and can develop good working relationships with them;
• Is self-motivated, dedicated and consistent;
• Has the ability to deal with new challenging situations;
• Has a positive and empathetic attitude;
• Is a strong team player who can use their own initiative;
• Understands and is sympathetic to the needs of young people, including their social, emotional and mental wellbeing;
• Has some experience of supporting students’ learning and/or is willing to undertake training in this area;
• Has a current First Aid or is prepared to undertake training;
• Has experience working with young people with SEND/behaviour needs and/or is willing to undertake training to support young people with such needs.

We can offer the successful candidate:

• Training opportunities;
• The opportunity to further your career;
• A caring and dynamic team of colleagues;
• A workplace that genuinely values staff wellbeing;
• A commitment to achieving the best for all of our pupils and staff.

For information about this role, including a full Job Description and Person Specification, please read our Applicant Information Pack. If you have any additional questions, please contact our school admin office on: 01980-652467.

Closing Date: Monday 24th August 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 7th September 2026

Please note: while the closing date for applications has been set, we reserve the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate upon receipt of an exceptional application. Therefore, we would encourage prompt application for this position.

Safeguarding Statement: Acorn Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. If successful in obtaining this post you will be subject to a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and health screening. We are an equal opportunities employer. As part of our safer recruitment processes, if you are shortlisted for the post, we will carry out a social media account search.