Teaching assistant

Salary: Actual - £20,003.73 - £20,294.86; MAT Pay Scale B, points 19-21

Location: Venture Academy, Henley in Arden

Hours of Work: Term Time only full-time roles available

Interviews: Rolling interview

Start Date: ASAP

About Us

Be part of the Academy Trust behind schools for children and young people with autism and/or additional needs. MacIntyre Academies' mission is to become a leading Special Academy Trust that provides outstanding outcome-focused state education by promoting high aspirations, empowering parents as partners and successfully equipping every child for adult life. We currently have 4 Academies: Endeavour Academy in Oxford, Discovery Academy in Nuneaton, Quest Academy, and Venture Academy in Henley-in-Arden. Each caters to children with autism and associated severe learning difficulties or social, emotional, and mental health needs, aged 9‑16. MacIntyre Academies benefits greatly from its sponsor MacIntyre, which over the last 50 years has developed a strong national reputation as a high‑quality, person‑centred organisation.

About the Role

We are recruiting inspirational and creative Teaching Assistants to join this exciting school. This is an opportunity to be part of something very special as we continue our journey to become a centre of excellence. Reporting to the Class Teacher and the Higher-Level Teaching Assistant you will be responsible for the support and delivery of teaching and learning. You will model best practice and enable successful learning and achievement by learners, and sustained improvement in their spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical well‑being in preparation for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. Some learners can behave in a challenging way; part of our role is to teach them safer and more effective ways of communicating their needs. This role requires someone who is physically fit. MacIntyre Academies will, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to comply with the Equality Act 2010. Previous experience is not required, but you must be an effective, confident communicator and able to keep accurate records such as the recording of learning outcomes with excellent attention to detail.

About You

We are looking for highly motivated, active staff members who want an exciting and rewarding career working with learners with autism and learning difficulties. Previous experience is not essential; however, an understanding of autism, social, emotional and mental health difficulties, and learning disabilities is desirable. It is paramount that you are an effective, confident communicator. Experience will not be essential as you will receive ongoing support and training with a full induction. We value the right outlook, the ability to build relationships with learners, and a shared belief in their potential. “MacIntyre hire for attitude and train for skill.” You will keep accurate records such as daily notes, mediation administration and learning outcomes with excellent attention to detail. You will demonstrate facilitation and reflective practice, believing in a life of independence and choice for the young people you support at all times.

Safeguarding and Recruitment Checks

MacIntyre Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All positions require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and registration with the DBS Update Service, plus all other relevant recruitment checks, including references. This post involves regulated activity for children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Further information about DBS filtering can be found in the DBS filtering guide on GOV.UK. It is an offence to apply if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity for children. Referees will assess suitability for work with vulnerable adults, children or young people and will be verbally verified. Individual safeguarding policies are available on our website under ‘Essential Information’ and will be reviewed as part of the recruitment process.

Diligence Process

Consistent with the KSCIE 2022 update, MacIntyre Academies will carry out an online search of the candidate once the shortlisting process is completed. This will involve a Google search of the candidate’s name, looking at the top three search results over the past three years. Any publicly available incidents or issues will be discussed with the candidate at interview stage.