Teaching Assistant Level 1 (SEN)

We currently have an exciting opportunity for three Teaching Assistant Level 1 SEN to join our fantastic team at Piper Hill High School. These are Grade 3, permanent posts working 35 hours per week, term time only plus 5 INSET days. The pro-rata salary is £20,990 and the full-time equivalent is £24,404 to start September 2025 once pre-employment checks are complete.

A Teaching Assistant, eligible to work in the UK, who can support pupils with their educational establishment, as well as attend to the child's personal needs such as social, pastoral and physical hygiene. You will need to have a basic understanding of child development and learning. To converse at ease and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post and excellent numeracy and literacy skills, qualified to level 2 or equivalent/higher.

This is a great opportunity to work in a Special Educational Needs School, you will be part of a team providing exceptional education for students. You will require tact and diplomacy in order to build excellent interpersonal relationships with all stakeholders including colleagues across the school and trust, parents and external agencies. Experience of working with children and/or young people with communication, severe, profound or complex learning difficulties is highly desirable.

Main purpose of the job: You will support teaching and learning across the school, providing general support in the management of pupils and resources, working under the supervision of the class teacher, department lead and senior leadership team. Some students at Piper Hill School have complex and challenging behaviours and have individualised plans to support them.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Assist in the supervision of classroom and outdoor activities.
• To work with small groups of children under the supervision of the teacher and ensure implementation of Individual Learning Plans.
• Provide regular feedback on children's progress to the class teacher and keeping records up to date.
• Assist with the supervision of discreet groups of pupils for short periods when the teacher is not present.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
• Participate in training, to develop relevant learning strategies and ensure students make progress in learning.
• To support the performance management process and demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development.

All school staff are expected to share the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.

Working for Prospere Learning Trust: Great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including:

• High quality CPD for all roles
• Bupa Level 1 Health Plan - annual cash back allowance for a range of everyday health care expenses
• Generous Pension Contribution - over 26% for teachers and over 17% for support staff
• Good holidays teachers as per School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document; non-teachers receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service
• Cyclescheme - save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free
• Employee Assistance Programmes - including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines
• Credit Union - regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans
• Flexible working options - we’re happy to talk flexible working where possible
• Mental Health First Aid in every school
• Blue Light Card - discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more
• bYond cashback card - spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

Piper Hill School is an Outstanding school that is ambitious for every one of our learners. We are a larger than average size special school that caters for students aged 11-19 with significant learning difficulties. We aim to provide the very best education for our students and to ensure they have the very best outcomes and make the best rates of progress they possibly can.

Piper Hill High School has state of the art facilities that provide an environment suitable for the learning needs of both children and young adults, including a hydrotherapy pool, dance and drama studio, gym, and an interactive learning environment (ILE room). The school also has a variety of outside spaces, including a Forest School space with overnight camping pods.

Our recent Ofsted inspection found the school continues to Outstanding, "Pupils flourish at this exceptional school. They feel safe and happy in this welcoming place, where everyone is treated equally. They rise to the school's high expectations of their behaviour because staff know and understand them well." Ofsted 2023.

Please apply using the online application form; incomplete applications may not be considered. CVs are not accepted. Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. Information will be provided on where to seek guidance on whether certain offences are now protected and should not be disclosed within the self-disclosure form.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you’ve lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.

Safeguarding Commitment: All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Equality Statement: Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.