Teaching Assistant (Maternity Cover)

At John Port Spencer Academy, we believe in unlocking the potential of every student and supporting them to achieve the very best. Every child has a champion – staff dedicated to nurturing their talents, ambitions, and wellbeing. Our university‑style campus offers a vibrant, inspiring environment where curiosity thrives, and learning knows no bounds. Our values of joy, progress, success, and acting with care, kindness, respect, and integrity guide everything we do.

John Port Spencer Academy is a thriving, forward‑thinking school at the heart of our community, serving over 2,000 students from Year 7 through Sixth Form. Our university‑style campus, with dedicated subject teaching spaces, specialist science labs, arts facilities, and extensive sports facilities, creates a wonderful environment for both students and staff. We offer a broad, ambitious curriculum designed to challenge students and help them excel academically, personally, and socially. Every student has a champion here – staff who guide, support, and celebrate their achievements. We have a strong community spirit and high expectations.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our supportive team in our large secondary academy. The successful candidate will work closely with teachers and support staff to help students access learning, build confidence, and achieve their potential. This role is ideal for someone who is patient, positive and passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Supporting students in lessons, both in small groups and on a one‑to‑one basis
• Assisting teachers with classroom activities and resources
• Helping to promote positive behaviour and engagement
• Supporting students with additional learning or pastoral needs
• Contributing to a safe, inclusive, and encouraging learning environment

We are looking for someone who:

• Enjoys working with young people and building positive relationships
• Has good communication and teamwork skills
• Is flexible, reliable, and proactive
• Has experience working with children or young people (desirable but not essential)

We offer:

• A welcoming and supportive staff team
• Opportunities for training and professional development
• Experience in a large, dynamic secondary school environment

If you are passionate about education and supporting students to help them achieve their potential we would be very pleased to hear from you. Early application is strongly encouraged as we reserve the right to interview and close the advert ahead of the closing date.

Safeguarding and Equality

Spencer Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children and young people. Therefore, we expect everyone to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced criminal records with Barred List Check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the completion of Level 2 Safeguarding training. It is an offence to apply for the role if an applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children (where the role involves this type of regulated activity). The Trust and its member academies are committed to promoting equality and diversity in both employment and education provision. We aim to ensure that students, parents, governors, employees, contractors, partners, clients and other stakeholders within the Trust community are treated fairly, and with dignity and respect regardless of Protected Characteristics. Spencer Academies Trust is a Disability Confident Committed Employer.