Teaching Assistant (Level 2) in Taunton

Actual Annual Salary: £21,706‑£23,400 based on hours and weeks worked. Full‑time Equivalent Salary: £28,859‑£31,111 (CLF Grade C) based on 37 hours per week, all year round.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 32.5 hours per week, Part Time, Term time only plus inset days.

Are you an experienced Teacher Assistant looking for the next step in your career? We are looking for an experienced Teaching Assistant to assist in the educational, personal and social development of designated students under the direction and guidance of relevant colleagues (e.g. the Principal, SENCo and/or INCo, phase leaders and class teachers).

Support students by adopting relevant, developed strategies and techniques, acquired through specialist knowledge/experience, to enable them to access the curriculum, engage with their learning and achieve their full potential. Provide specialist support and expertise in one or more areas (e.g. an aspect of the curriculum, age range or additional needs) in order to deliver measurable impact on student attainment as well as social and emotional well‑being. Provide cover for groups and classes as required and in line with relevant development and/or experience. Work collaboratively with relevant colleagues to fulfil the requirements of the role. Support, advise, coach and/or monitor less experienced staff as required.

About you:

• Have an understanding of classroom roles and responsibilities and how a teaching assistant supports students in their learning.
• Be able to engage students and manage behaviour on a one‑to‑one or small group basis.
• Be committed to undertake relevant qualifications, e.g. NVQ Level 2/3 in supporting teaching and learning or equivalent, first aid qualification, to ensure ongoing professional development.
• Have strong interpersonal skills, in particular with the ability to demonstrate empathy and active listening.
• Have good planning and organisational skills, specifically with regard to learning activities and support materials.
• Be someone with a keen interest in working with children and commitment to inclusion and acceptance of all.

About The Sky Academy:

Sky Academy is a special school for young people in years 5‑11 who have an EHCP to support their SEMH and SCL needs. Located in Taunton, our catchment of young people comes from those who live within a 75‑minute drive across Somerset. At our core is a belief that every young person deserves the right to an educative experience that prepares them for adulthood and opens doors at post‑16. We do this by providing a targeted core curriculum that focuses in equal parts on literacy, numeracy, PSHCE, and PE in addition to a wider curriculum of art, ICT, careers and life skills.

Why work at CLF?

We are a diverse and inclusive community of 36 academies across five cluster regions in the Southwest that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.

What we can offer you:

• Comprehensive induction and ongoing support for career development and wellbeing.
• Sector‑leading professional development entitlement and opportunities.
• Collaboration with colleagues across the trust through subject communities and specialist networks.
• Shared CLF curriculum, written and curated by trust experts, reducing individual teacher workload.
• Career enhancing and progression opportunities within the trust and through the CLF Institute.
• A collaborative culture which supports workload.
• Well‑being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
• A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
• Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on‑site parking and many more!

We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from under‑represented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part‑time and flexible working opportunities will be considered. As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the interview process please let us know how we can assist.