Teaching Assistant

Job Title:  Teaching Assistant

Location: Walsall

Shire Oak Academy is an exciting and vibrant learning community where students enjoy great success in and outside of the classroom. We aim to provide an outstanding, positive learning environment and value the high quality of relationships that enable this to be true of all aspects of school life. Our Academy motto, ‘Turning Potential into Excellence’ is important to us as we prepare our students for successful adult lives in an increasingly competitive world. We support and encourage our students to try their best to achieve success in all areas and help prepare them for their future choices, not only in their academic learning, but also within other areas such as music, sport, art and drama.

We are:

Aspirational - Inspire all of our students to dream big dreams which extend their horizons beyond their expectations.

Success - Learning from failure, challenging expectations and driving for success.

Participation - To be fully involved in school life. Take an active part in lessons and take full advantage of the extracurricular opportunities provided.

Integrity - Promoting the qualities of selflessness, courage, honesty, respect, commitment and doing the right thing.

Responsibility - To enable each student to develop confidence, self-esteem and responsibility in all areas of school life.

Excellence - Striving for excellence and high achievement in everything we do.

To provide a safe, secure, caring and supportive environment in which all students may take advantage of the opportunities we provide to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to prepare them for taking up an adult place in 21st Century society as responsible, responsive and enterprising citizens who become effective lifelong learners and make a positive contribution to society.

Want to make a difference to young people?

Are you ready to embark on a rewarding journey within an educational community that values increasing opportunities, improving outcomes for our students. We are looking for a Teaching Assistant to join our team. Reporting to Assistant Headteacher/SENDCo, you will undertake: 

Key responsibilities: 

• The Teaching Assistant will support other staff (particularly the classroom teacher) in ensuring students with additional needs have barriers to learning removed. They will do this by:

  Providing exceptional in class/out of class support to students in their care

  Have excellent relationships with students

  Ensure that they adapt the curriculum so that students with additional needs have full access to the curriculum.

Pay range: Scale Grade 3(SCP 4-6)| Actual £20,401 - £21,053 | FTE £25,185 - £25,989

Qualifications and Skills: 

• Qualifications

  English and Maths GCSE (C or above/ Grade 4 or above)

  Relevant qualification in supporting learning

• Experience

  Evidence of working successfully with young people who have challenging behaviour

  Evidence of supporting young people in a learning environment

  Attended courses that can aid the development of young people (for example counselling, mentoring)

  Demonstrate your ability to overcome a difficulty

For full details of the post please see attached Job Description and Person Specification

Why The Mercian Trust?

As one Trust we share a common purpose.  We call it our social mobility and social justice mission to change our communities through the very best equitable education.  When we get this right, it enables our children and young people to fulfil their potential, thrive in the world of work, and make a positive contribution to the local, national and international community.

Put simply, our common purpose is to increase opportunities and improve outcomes for our students.  We are particularly committed to students who are under-served and under-resourced.  We prioritise those who have special educational needs and disabilities, or who are more likely to face discrimination for whatever reason.

It is this common purpose that fuels everything we do. We deliver impactful, sustainable and ethical continuous school improvement in our schools to ensure the children and young people in the communities we serve learn in the very best and most inclusive schools. 

We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve (which are the education investment areas of the West Midlands). We adopt a pioneering spirit and look to lead the sector with innovative solutions to the problems our students and families face.

Want to be a part of something extraordinary? Find out more:  The Mercian Trust - Home

Benefits: 

Financial, Health and Lifestyle

• discounts on everyday purchases (Eden Red)

• a comprehensive free of charge health plan (UK Health Care)

• a cycle to work scheme via Halfords

• access to the Blue Light Card

For further benefits including education sector leading CPD: The Mercian Trust - What we can offer you

The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references.

 The Mercian Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. 

Please take time to read our polices attached to this advert.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment