The Heath Academy Trust and Oakhurst Community First and Nursery School are seeking to appoint an experienced Teaching Assistant to work initially within our school nursery on a 1:1 basis with a child with SEND.  We need an enthusiastic, skilled and motivated professional to join our team and will consider a job share for this role.  This post will be initially on a temporary contract until 31 August 2025.

The successful candidate must have experience and commitment to working with young children with complex needs. We are looking for strong practice and the successful candidate must be committed to achieving this benchmark.

We are committed to ongoing improvement and provide continuous support for our staff with high quality CPD. We welcome applications from applicants with a minimum relevant Early Years NVQ3 qualification, if possible.

We value the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from all sectors of the community.

Further details about this role can be found on the job description and person specification included in this recruitment pack and more information about the school can be found on our website: www.oakhurstfirst.com.  Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged.  Please contact our school office on 01202 871577 to arrange your visit or discuss the post further.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, all applications must be completed using The Heath Academy Trust’s application form and returned via email to office@oakhurstfirst.com.  CVs will not be accepted or considered.  References will be sought as part of the shortlisting process, prior to interview selection.  Please ensure referees are able to provide  a full reference rather than a standard statement of  employment time.  You should provide the email and telephone contact details for all referees – thank you. 

The Heath Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. As part of the safer recruitment check, online searches will be conducted for all shortlisted candidates. The search will be purely based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the