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 to join our committed and dedicated team of SEND staff, to support targeted students across the curriculum, to help them fulfil 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. Quotes from two of our current Apprentice Teaching Assistants at SRWA: "Being a TA Apprentice has provided me with so much knowledge regarding the world of education, and how best to support young adults to navigate such an important part of their life. It has been a great way to get started in this field, and it has opened up many opportunities for my future in education. I am grateful to have worked with such an amazing team". "Starting as a TA apprentice at SRWA is a great way to learn about the world of education, grow in confidence in your practice, with the wonderful support from the SEN department. It is an incredible rewarding role, supporting young people in their educational journey and making a difference to struggling students"

                          Role type: Temporary role 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 £17,092p.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 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: Academies Enterprise Trust. During the Apprenticeship you will be assigned a Trainer Assessor from Academies Enterprise Trust to work with you on the Apprenticeship programme.

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. Pupils have high aspirations and recognise the importance of their education.

The successful candidate will:- • be at least 18, preferably with some experience of working with children/young people with SEND needs • be able to evidence 5 GCSE passes (essential) • 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:

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. Only those applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be considered in the shortlisting process. 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.