Teaching Assistant Level 3 / Cover Supervisor

We are looking for driven and passionate people to work with us to deliver real benefits for children and families in Knowsley.

Employer: Knowsley Schools

Location: The Deans Trust, Lord Derby Academy, Seel Road, Huyton, Merseyside

External Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time/Term Time

Closing Date: 01/06/2026 at 09:00

Reference: External

SALARY: Band F, Point 12 – 17 £28,598.00 - £31,022.00 (£22,487.32 - £24,393.37 actual salary)

START DATE: As soon as possible

WORKING PATTERN: TTO, 46 Weeks, full time

CONTRACT: Permanent

LOCATION: Lord Derby Academy

In response to increasing pupil numbers, Lord Derby Academy is seeking to appoint a number of suitably qualified, experienced and enthusiastic colleagues to join our SEND department. The information provided in this brochure is for the position of Teaching Assistant (Level 3), with the main responsibility being to support pupils, including those situated in our Personalised Learning Environment (PLE), to access the curriculum. The role will also require successful applicants to cover lessons as and when necessary.

Main Purpose of the Role

• The post holder will work under the supervision of the SENDCo, teachers and senior staff to:
• Act on the guidance of the SENDCo, teaching and senior staff to support pupils as necessary.
• Assist teaching staff with the whole planning cycle and preparation of resources.
• Implement agreed work programmes with individuals/groups, in or out of the classroom in our Personalised Learning Environment (PLE).
• Cover lessons as and when required to do so.

Key Responsibilities

Support for pupils in the main building and PLE

• Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils within the classroom and across school.
• Support pupils to access learning activities, whilst recognising and responding to their individual needs.
• Use specialist (curricular/learning) skills/training/experience to support pupils.
• Assist with the development and implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Establish productive working relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and setting high expectations.
• Support pupils consistently whilst recognising and responding to their individual needs.
• Encourage pupils to interact and work co-operatively with others and engage all pupils in activities.
• Promote independence and employ strategies to recognise and reward achievement of self-reliance.
• Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement.
• Undertake planned supervision of pupils’ out of school hours learning activities.
• Supervise pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required.

Support for Teachers

• Work with the teaching staff to establish an appropriate learning environment.
• Work with the teacher in lesson planning, evaluating and adjusting lessons/work plans as appropriate.
• Implement agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to pupil responses/needs.
• Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use.
• Monitor and evaluate pupils’ responses to learning activities through observation and planned recording of achievement against pre-determined learning objectives.
• Provide objective and accurate feedback and reports as required.
• Be responsible for keeping and updating records as agreed with the teacher and contributing to reviews of systems/records as requested.
• Undertake marking of pupils’ work and accurately record achievement/progress.
• Promote positive values, attitudes and good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy.
• Liaise sensitively and effectively with parents/carers as agreed with the teacher within your role/responsibility and participate in feedback sessions/meetings with parents, or as directed.
• Administer and assess routine tests and invigilate exams/tests.
• Provide general clerical/admin. support e.g. administer coursework, produce worksheets for agreed activities etc.

Support for the School

• Establish constructive relationships and communicate with other agencies/professionals, in liaison with the teacher, to support achievement and progress of pupils.
• Attend and participate in regular meetings.
• Participate in training and other learning activities as required, including First Aid training.
• Cover lessons as and when deemed appropriate, and within the remit of the position.
• Undertake planned supervision of pupils’ out of school hours learning activities.
• Supervise pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required.

All employees have the responsibility to:

• Ensure any documentation produced is to a high standard and is in line with the brand style.
• Be aware and comply with all policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to the appropriate person.
• Participate in training and other learning activities as required.
• Participate in the school’s People Development Process.
• Provide appropriate guidance and supervision and assist in the training and development of staff as appropriate.
• To represent the school/academy at events as appropriate.
• To support and promote the school/academy ethos.
• To undertake any other duties and responsibilities as required that are covered by the general scope of the post.
• To undertake any other reasonable duties at the request of the Executive Team and/or Headteacher.

All post holders must comply with The Dean Trust professional standards. The job description will be reviewed as necessary and is subject to modification and amendment at any time after consultation with the post holder. Whilst every effort has been made to explain the key responsibilities of this post, this job description is not intended to be exhaustive and every individual task undertaken may not be identified.