Teaching Assistant in Essex

Voluntary Real Living Wage or NJC Scale 3-5

Without a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification: Voluntary Real Living Wage - £18,316.55 per annum

With a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification: NJC Scale 3-5

Permanent, Full Time 32.5 hours per week, 39 weeks per year

September 2026 Start

As a Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting students to access learning, develop independence and achieve their full potential. Working closely with teachers, SEND staff and wider colleagues, you will provide classroom support, deliver targeted interventions and help create a positive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.

This role includes supporting students with personal care needs. You will provide compassionate and respectful assistance, helping students with toileting, hygiene, feeding and mobility where required, whilst always promoting dignity, independence and wellbeing.

Rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, we are a school that places students at the centre of everything we do and are committed to ensuring every child receives an excellent education.

If you:

• Are passionate about supporting children and young people to succeed
• Have experience working with children or young people, ideally within a school or SEND environment
• Can build positive relationships with students, staff and families
• Are patient, resilient and able to respond positively to challenges
• Are comfortable supporting students with personal care needs whilst maintaining dignity and respect
• Can work effectively as part of a team whilst also using your own initiative

Our established and positive team members benefit from:

• A collaborative and supportive environment
• An open and inclusive culture led by a supportive senior team committed to ensuring every child succeeds
• The opportunity to work with enthusiastic and engaging students
• Access to professional development and training, including SEND, safeguarding, personal care and moving and handling training
• Clear career progression opportunities through Lift Schools' apprenticeship and teacher training pathways

What we offer:

We value the skills and dedication of our teaching assistants. To support the best outcomes for our students, we require a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification (or equivalent). If you don't yet hold this qualification, don't worry! We'll invest in your development by enrolling you in our Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Programme, helping you gain the behaviours, skills and experience you need to thrive in the role.

Closing date: 29 June 2026

Who is Lift Schools? We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 59 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had. We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

We offer you:

• Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
• Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
• Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application. Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check. Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered. We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.