Teaching Assistant

Do you have a genuine passion for helping young people achieve their full potential? Are you looking for a fulfilling role where no two days are ever the same? Would you like a stable, permanent role that comfortably fits around your other life commitments? About the Role This is an exceptional opportunity for a dedicated professional to join a thriving secondary school community as a Part-Time Teaching Assistant. This permanent position begins in September 2026 and is designed for an individual who can provide targeted academic and emotional support to students aged 11-16. Working closely with class teachers and the Special Educational Needs (SEN) team, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in removing barriers to learning, building student confidence, and fostering a safe, inclusive classroom environment where every individual can thrive. About the School Located in Leeds, this highly regarded secondary school is known for its strong sense of community and traditional values. Rated "Good" by Ofsted, the school prides itself on an environment where faith, moral integrity, and high academic standard standards form the foundation of daily life. With an expansive campus and a warm atmosphere fostered by an excellent pastoral care system, the school sets high expectations for behaviour and consistently helps its students achieve progress well above the national average. Requirements • Experience with Youth: Previous experience working with or supporting young people, ideally within a secondary school or youth group setting. • Enhanced DBS: A valid Enhanced DBS clearance registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to apply for one). • Adaptability: The resilience and flexibility to handle changing classroom dynamics and distinct subject requirements. • Eligibility to Work: Valid legal entitlement to work full-time in the UK. Skills • Active Listening: The ability to understand a student's underlying frustrations or difficulties with a task. • Clear Communication: Explaining complex academic instructions in simple, accessible, and encouraging terms. • Empathy & Patience: Maintaining a calm, supportive demeanour when assisting students who learn at a slower pace. • De-escalation: Diffusing low-level classroom distractions or emotional distress using positive reinforcement. • Collaboration: Working seamlessly with teachers, internal support staff, and external agency consultants. • Literacy & Numeracy: Strong core subject knowledge to confidently assist with Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 curricula. Key Responsibilities • Targeted Learning Support: Delivering tailored learning interventions to individuals or small groups of students to boost their academic attainment. • Classroom Management Assistance: Working in partnership with the class teacher to maintain a focused, positive, and productive learning environment. • SEN Provision: Supporting students with diverse Special Educational Needs (SEN), ensuring their specific profiles and adjustments are met. • Resource Preparation: Preparing learning materials, visual aids, and specialist resources before lessons to support differentiated learning. • Progress Tracking: Observing, recording, and reporting student engagement and academic progress to the class teacher and SENCO. • Promoting Inclusion: Encouraging active participation from all students, ensuring those with lower confidence or language barriers feel supported. • Ethos Alignment: Supporting and upholding the school's traditional moral values, high behaviour expectations, and community standards. • Examination Support: Acting as a reader, scribe, or invigilator for students requiring access arrangements during assessments. • Pastoral Care: Serving as a reliable, empathetic point of contact for students, helping to manage social-emotional challenges during the school day. • Safeguarding Compliance: Strictly adhering to all school safeguarding, health and safety, and child protection policies at all times. What We Offer: • A supportive, collaborative working environment. • Opportunities for career progression and ongoing professional development. • The chance to make a significant impact on the lives of students. • Competitive salary and benefits package. • A Refer a Friend scheme where you could earn a £300 Love2shop voucher (subject to terms and conditions). Could this be the ideal role for you? Click "Apply Now" to submit your application for the role of a Teaching Assistant. For more information, please contact or call to speak to the secondary team.