Senior Teaching Assistant in Shepperton

Salary: LSEAT pay scale 16 – (£27,403 FTE). Hours: 33hrs 20 minutes per week, 38 weeks per year. Primary workplace: Manor Mead School Shepperton. Working hours: Mon‑Fri 08:40am‑03:30pm plus an additional 1 hour 40 minutes per week for classroom preparation, including 20 minutes for the weekly team meeting.

The role includes the responsibility to lead the class group in the absence of the Class Teacher.

About the role: The Senior Teaching Assistant supports the educational and care needs of pupils with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, including autism and Complex Social and Communication Needs (CSCN). The role involves assisting teaching staff, preparing teaching resources, and providing specialist welfare support. This position requires a high level of energy, enthusiasm, special educational knowledge and strong organisational skills.

• Support teaching staff in the development and education of pupils.
• Lead lessons from the teacher’s planning, cover practitioner in control or sudden absence.
• Use specialist skills in literacy, numeracy or science instruction.
• Provide specialist welfare support for pupils with sensory and/or physical impairment.
• Develop specialist knowledge required for appropriate personal care or therapy.
• Collaborate with the team to enhance pupils’ wellbeing, social and personal development and to improve learning opportunities and life skills.
• Organise and maintain the learning environment and take responsibility for specific aspects of class organisation and administration.
• Undertake pupil observations, record pupil progress and contribute to reports through discussion with the Class Teacher.
• Deliver specified work to individuals, groups and whole classes as determined by the headteacher in accordance with The Education (Specified Work and Registration) (England) Regulations 2003.
• Maintain confidentiality in and outside the workplace.
• Understand and assist in the interpretation of school policies.

Qualifications & Experience: Experience as a teaching assistant in a special educational setting is essential. Candidates should demonstrate special educational expertise, strong communication skills and a commitment to safeguarding and welfare of children. Experience in managing pupils with sensory, physical or communication difficulties is preferred.

Legal & Safeguarding Requirements: The successful applicant will be required to undertake a DBS check. The position is exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All appointments are subject to verification of the right to work in the UK and may be subject to an enhanced DBS check and Children’s or Adult’s Barred List checks.

Equal Opportunities: London South East Academies Trust is fully committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer and to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful working environment, free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome and encourage applications from all, regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, parental status or marital or partnership status. As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role. If you have accessibility needs or require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please let us know. All applications will be assessed confidentially and may be withdrawn if DBS, statutory checks or disclosures are unsatisfactory.