Learning and Teaching Assistant (permanent role)

Level 3 qualified TA or 18 months+ TA experience  

Term time plus all inset days;

37 hours per week: Monday to Friday

8 hours per day (including a daily 30 min unpaid break)

Actual Starting Salary: £24,102p.a.

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 thriving 11–18 Academy serving primarily the students of Lancing, Sompting and West Shoreham, though we welcome students from all surrounding areas. We are committed to ensuring that every student is known and nurtured and is provided with teaching and learning experiences that allow them to fulfil their potential. In January 2026, the Academy was proudly evaluated under the new Ofsted toolkit as being at ‘Strong Standard’ in four areas and ‘Expected Standard’ in three, further building on the Academy’s 2021 rating of ‘Good’ in all areas.

The Position: An exciting opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified and experienced Learning and Teaching Assistant, to join the Academy’s talented and dedicated SEND team on a permanent (term time) basis. The role is to offer personalised support to a diverse range of students, to address their unique challenges, which may relate to communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social emotional and mental health (SEMH) and/or sensory/physical issues. The successful post-holder will be able to assist identified students to overcome barriers to learning, so they can achieve their full potential in school. This will make an immeasurable impact in their educational journey and overall wellbeing. Quote from a current Learning & Teaching Assistant at SRWA: "Working as a Teaching and Learning assistant at SRWA is really great. The team here is truly amazing, everyone is so supportive of each other. We work closely together as a team to break down barriers for students with diverse needs, and seeing their breakthrough moments is always a joy. The benefits, like the fitness suite, wellness and financial support and advice, provided by the trust have also made me feel supported in my life outside of work". We would like to hear from you if you can evidence a Level 3 TA qualification, relevant specialised training or at least 18 months’ experience as a Teaching Assistant with young people of secondary school age. Candidates shortlisted for interview will meet the essential criteria for the role, so please ensure you review the Job Description and Person Specification and evidence clearly in your application how you meet the essential criteria.

                          Role type:  Permanent and full time during term time (plus all inset days) 

                          Hours:       37 per week, Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm (3.30 finish on Fridays)

                          Salary:       Actual starting salary £24,102p.a.

                          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 18.9%

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

• cycle to work scheme.

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 in May 2025 revealed our staff consider these areas ‘outstanding’: Academy ethos and overall sense of common purpose Staff morale and job satisfaction Support from line managers and colleagues Caring teachers Appreciation of staff contribution and opportunities for staff to develop. From the January 2026 Ofsted Inspection Report: This is a warm and welcoming school where pupils truly thrive. Pupils are happy. They attend regularly and behave well. Pupils are kind and respectful. Pupils' needs are thoroughly understood, which helps them to feel well cared for and safe. Positive relationships are evident throughout the school. Leaders have developed an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum. Staff are highly ambitious for all pupils, particularly the most disadvantaged. Pupils have high aspirations and recognise the importance of their education.

The successful candidate will:- • be able to evidence 5 GCSE passes or higher (including Maths and English) • have either 18 months+ experience supporting children’s learning in a secondary school or recent level 3 teaching assistant qualification • be a team player and able to build good working relations with students and adults • communicate effectively and have well-developed interpersonal skills to be able to relate well to a wide range of people. • be committed to the needs of the pupils, parents and other stakeholders and challenge barriers and blocks to providing an effective service. • demonstrate a “can do” attitude including suggesting solutions, participating, trusting and encouraging others and achieving expectations. • be competent in all aspects of ICT.

Our commitment to Safeguarding:

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 full 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.  

The successful applicant for this post will be engaging in ‘regulated activity’, therefore they will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check.  It is an offence to apply for this role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children, so individuals on the children’s barred list (and adults barred list where relevant) should not apply.  

Please be aware that the Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will reveal both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings, and any other information held by local police that is considered relevant to the role, unless any such information is ‘protected’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended).  If you are unsure, please visit this URL: https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record

There is a six-month probation period for all post-holders. 

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunities:

The Academy is committed to equality of opportunity. We positively welcome applications from suitably qualified individuals from all sections of the community.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at our Academy is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

Application Process: 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: 7th June 2026* *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.