Are you interested in getting paid to work and train at the same time?

Apprentice Teaching Assistant

*No previous experience needed*

Classroom TA role + time given to train towards a Level 3 TA qualification

Temporary, fixed term contract up to two years duration

Term time plus all inset days

37 hours per week: Monday to Friday

8am to 4pm (3.30pm on Fridays)

Actual starting salary: £17,092pa (£10.18ph)

The School:

The Sir Robert Woodard Academy, one of the ‘happiest’ schools in the country (The Sunday Times, 2025) and part of the Woodard family of schools, is a dynamic and popular 11–18 academy located between Worthing and Brighton, serving the students of Lancing, Sompting and Shoreham. Our aim is that every student is known and nurtured and is provided with teaching and learning experiences that allow them to fulfil their potential.

Quotes from full Ofsted inspection report October 2021: Rating of “Good” in all areas:

"The school is a calm and orderly place for pupils to learn….Pupils treat each other with respect … low-level disruption is rare."

"Pupils, parents and carers feel proud of their school…one parent told us ‘we are really impressed with the school, the ethos and the staff’.”

The Position:

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our committed and dedicated team of SEND staff, to support targeted students across the curriculum, to help them fulfill their potential. The key role responsibilities are:-

• To assist students in accessing learning activities as directed by the teacher, being aware of and supporting differences, to ensure all students have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop

• To undertake classroom support to further the learning of individual or small groups of students, especially those with SEND needs

• To help students manage their emotions and behaviour, promoting positive values, positive attitudes to learning and good student behaviour.

We already have a team of enthusiastic and dedicated Apprentice TAs and we are looking to expand the team. Quote from a current Apprentice Teaching Assistant at SRWA:

“Being a TA Apprentice has been a great way to start off my career working in education while making a difference to young people. Through this role I have learned so much about the world of education and Special Educational Needs that will help me as I continue working in Education. Not only that, but it's been a great opportunity to make a difference to young people through some very turbulent years for them”.

The Training:

Alongside the classroom TA role, 20% of the 37 weekly contracted working hours will be allocated to training onsite for a nationally-recognised Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification, delivered by our external training provider: Lift Schools. During the Apprenticeship you will be assigned a Trainer Assessor from Lift Schools to work with you on the Apprenticeship programme. You may also be required to complete Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths (in your own time).

The Person:

At SRWA, our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with wellbeing support, coaching, mentoring and a wide range of top-quality training and CPD programmes delivered at every level up to senior leadership.

A Staff Well-being survey commissioned externally in June 2024 revealed these were some of the areas considered ‘outstanding’ by our staff cohort:-

Staff morale, workload and job satisfaction

Appreciation of staff achievement/contribution

Opportunities for staff to develop.

Staff benefits:

● modern and spacious working environment

● free use of the Academy’s fitness suite

● free employee wellness programme and onsite wellbeing support

● generous employer contribution pension scheme of 21.5%

● free on-site parking and easy access to local public transport

● cycle to work scheme.

The successful candidate(s) will:-

• be at least 18, preferably with some experience of working with children/young people with SEND needs

• be able to evidence GCSE passes or higher, or be prepared to study Level 2 Functional Skills in English and Maths

• have well-developed IT skills and be comfortable working with a range of technology

• be a team player, who understands the importance of supporting teaching and learning

• be well-organised with high professional and personal standards

• be able to establish good working relationships with students, staff and parents/carers

• have a positive ‘can do’ approach

• have an understanding of the need for school safeguarding procedures and confidentiality.

Our commitment to Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities:

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share in this commitment. All posts will be subject to safeguarding and vetting checks, including the receipt of two satisfactory references. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal record self-declaration form and to give consent for an online search to be carried out against their name. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check, therefore individuals on the children’s barred list (and adults barred list where relevant) should not apply. There is a six month probation period for all post-holders. The Academy is committed to equality of opportunity. We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Application Process:

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification carefully. Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate they can meet all of the essential requirements in the Person Specification will be eligible for shortlisting.

If you are interested, please apply online before the closing date* demonstrating how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements of the role. CVs alone will not be accepted.

Closing date: 8/6/25*

Interviews: ASAP

*Please note we reserve the right to interview and appoint any strong candidates applying before the deadline has passed and to close the advert at any time before the deadline date, should a sufficient number of strong applications be received. If you are interested then you are advised to apply early.

Sir Robert Woodard Academy

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