Leighacademiestrust | Teaching Assistant

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people?
Do you thrive in a supportive, dynamic, and forward-thinking environment?
If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!
Leigh Academy Paddock Wood is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our vibrant team and help us inspire the next generation.
At Leigh Academy Paddock Wood, we believe every student deserves the chance to succeed, and our Teaching Assistants play a pivotal role in ensuring they achieve their full potential.
You'll be part of a warm, inclusive, and collaborative community where your contribution is valued and celebrated.
We pride ourselves on our innovative approach to education and our commitment to nurturing the whole child.
Whether you're experienced in education or looking to start your journey in this rewarding field, we'll provide you with the tools, training, and encouragement to thrive.
We're searching for someone who is: Passionate about working with young people and making a difference.
Patient, empathetic, and approachable.
A team player with a positive, "can-do" attitude.
Adaptable and eager to learn new skills.
Has experience working in the primary phase, with an understanding of phonics (preferable but not essential).
Committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

While previous experience as a Teaching Assistant is advantageous, it's not essential-we value enthusiasm, dedication, and a genuine desire to support our students above all else.
If you're ready to join a school that values your skills and celebrates your success, we'd love to hear from you!
Apply today and become part of a team where your work truly matters.
This is a permanent role which offers an actual salary £19,347 per annum (£24,404 full time equivalent) based on 35 hours per week (8:15 - 15:45pm Mon-Fri), Term Time only.
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, so don't miss out-submit your application early to secure your chance to join our incredible team!

Do you know a great Teaching Assistant who would like to hear about opportunities with Leigh Academies Trust?
If so, make a referral today for the chance to receive £100 as a 'thank you'.
Simply complete the referral form by clicking here.
T&C's apply.
Working at our school: We are a thriving and engaging three-form entry school in the heart of West Kent in the town of Paddock Wood.
Our educational vision is to create inquisitive and proactive learners who understand the world around them and want to make the world a better place.
Our curriculum interweaves the National Curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme so that all learning is in relevant and purposeful contexts.
Our children have autonomy within their learning and know how to apply what they learn across all walks of life.
At Leigh Academy Paddock Wood, we champion personal development.
We want to immerse children in opportunities to develop and grow so that they move into secondary education with not only a plethora of skills to access their learning successfully, but also the knowledge of the professions they can aspire to pursue later in life.
Our broad curriculum is supported by specialist teachers of French, PE and Computing.
All of our pupils learn French and engage in other subjects in French too; we aim for all pupils to leave us conversant in the language.
Pupils leave us with a strong understanding and appreciation of music and sporting skills.
We are proud of the opportunities provided for children to represent the school in a range of sports and have enjoyed a lot of success in recent years.
We embed independence, stamina and considered risk into children's learning.
We have our own school minibuses and we frequently take children out into the local area and into central London.
More further afield, we enjoy taking Year 5 pupils to the Brecon Beacons for a residential.
We have a strong regard for extra-curricular learning and are proud of the healthy catalogue of clubs that we provide for all children.
Whether it be a range of sports clubs, art and dance, music or computing, we always endeavour to tap into the diverse interests of our pupils.
Our wrap around care is thriving and parents value the service on offer.
We have a highly effective and dedicated teaching team which is widely respected and supported by our academy community.
Our teachers vary in experience from Early Careers Teachers to 30+ years and each brings something valuable to share, and a passion to learn.
Opportunities to collaborate on planning, assessment and the sharing of expertise enhance our robust professional development offer.
Our staff and the wider Leigh Academies Trust team offer a vast support network for professional development and opportunities for progression.
Our academy benefits from significant parental and community support who work in tandem to organise fundraising events.
Such fundraising has helped to enrich our curriculum and learning environment, we are extremely grateful for such support.
'Our highly ambitious community builds thinking learners, who act with agency and create lasting memories.'
Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2024, our Trust comprises 33 geographically organised academies (17 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating more than 24,000 students and employing 4,000 talented staff.
Currently, 14 of our academies are considered to be "Outstanding" which is nearly 50% of those which have been inspected whilst part of the Trust.
The Trust is establishing three 'clusters' of academies: LAT Central; LAT North; LAT West.
In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region's biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider.
Our future plans are found in our Vision 2030 document available on our website.

As part of Leigh Academies Trust, you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust.
This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together.
You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.
Click here to view the benefits available to all LAT employees from day one.
Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance.
All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise.
We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.
Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date.
Applicants will be notified of this where possible.
Therefore, early applications are encouraged.