We are looking to recruit:

Thornhill Community Academy is seeking a passionate and driven Educational Teaching Assistant (ETA) to join our forward-thinking inclusion team. In this role, you will move beyond traditional classroom support to become a vital member of our specialist Reading and Foundational Skills Team. You will be at the forefront of breaking down barriers to learning, working directly with students to accelerate their progress and build the vital independence they need to thrive.

This is a dynamic, hands-on role where you will actively deliver targeted interventions across the core pillars of academic success: literacy, reading, transcription, and numeracy. With a strong focus on oracy, you will help students find their voice, develop confident communication skills, and unlock the wider secondary curriculum. Whether working one-to-one, supporting small groups, or collaborating in mainstream classrooms, your impact will be felt across the whole Academy.

If you are well organised, hold the highest expectations for vulnerable young people, and are committed working hard and being nice, we want to hear from you. We offer a supportive and positive environment where your professional development is prioritised. Join us and play a crucial role in creating a safe, inclusive space where every student is empowered to achieve their personal best.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have Maths and English to GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent
• Be highly organised
• Have a track record in ensuring children succeed
• Be creative in their approach
• Have knowledge and understanding of a range of SEND
• Have very high expectations of achievement and behaviour
• Enjoy encouraging, motivating and inspiring children
• Be committed to our ethos that all students can achieve at Thornhill Community Academy

Overall purpose of the role:

As an Educational Teaching Assistant (ETA) at Thornhill Community Academy, you will be a vital driver of student achievement, working under the guidance of teachers and leaders to deliver targeted learning programmes. Moving beyond traditional support, you will be a proactive member of our Reading and Foundational Skills Team. In this role, you will champion student success by delivering high impact interventions that rapidly improve essential oracy, literacy, reading, transcription, and numeracy skills, ensuring all students can access the wider curriculum.

You will play an active role in maintaining the highest expectations for every student. Crucially, you will model and uphold the Academy’s standards of behaviour and conduct at all times, creating a safe, focused environment. If you are highly motivated, exceptionally well organised, and committed to breaking down barriers to learning, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our students' academic and personal success.

Safeguarding requirements:

This post requires the post holder to work in settings with children and young adults. Any employment offer is therefore subject to the results of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). People who may have contact with younger children (i.e. primary school age) are also required to complete a declaration about family or other members of their household. Applicants MUST complete the MAT’s standard application form to be considered, will be required to provide evidence of identity and qualifications and offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references. For applicants who work or have recently worked in a school, one of the references must be from the Headteacher.

Key outputs:

• Act as an active member of the Reading and Foundational Skills Team, delivering high impact interventions to rapidly improve student oracy, literacy, reading, transcription, and numeracy.
• Deliver agreed learning and intervention programmes to students on a one-to-one or small-group basis, both inside classrooms and within specialist provision bases.

Job Description

• Implement appropriate communication and access arrangements to ensure students with SEND can fully engage with the specialist and mainstream curriculum.
• Assist teachers and external agencies in assessing student needs, tracking progress, and providing accurate, objective feedback on student achievement and behaviour.

Inclusion and pastoral support

• Deliver activities that develop students' communication, interaction, and social skills, intentionally building self-esteem and long-term independence.
• Provide practical, daily support for students' emotional regulation, helping them overcome barriers to learning and maintain a positive school experience.
• Support the transition of students between educational phases and provide outreach support to targeted mainstream students.
• Work closely with parents, carers, and families to build confidence, transparency, and trust in the Academy’s provision.

Classroom and behaviour management

• Manage student behaviour consistently in line with Academy policies, creating a calm, safe, and constructive environment for learning.
• Assist staff with the whole planning cycle, including the preparation, tidying, and maintenance of resources.
• Participate in and assist with the safe supervision of students during educational visits, break times, and around the Academy site.
• Deal with the personal comfort and necessary minor medical or physical wellbeing support of students as required.

Professional standards and values

• Actively promote and support the Academy’s safeguarding responsibilities, remaining vigilant and responding immediately to any concerns regarding vulnerable young people.
• Foster a supportive, collaborative working environment within the inclusion team and across the wider school, treating all students, staff, and visitors with absolute courtesy – work hard, be nice.
• Attend mandatory training sessions, staff meetings, and departmental reviews, using your own areas of expertise to support and advise colleagues.
• Maintain full awareness of, and compliance with, all Trust and Academy policies, procedures, and relevant education legislation at all times.

Expertise in role required

Essential:

Qualifications and core skills

• GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent standard).
• NVQ Level 3 for Teaching Assistants (or an equivalent qualification, or demonstrable equivalent experience).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate information to students, staff, and families.

Experience and specialist knowledge

• Proven experience working as a Teaching Assistant or educational support worker, ideally within a secondary school setting.
• A strong working knowledge of statutory education frameworks and policies, including the SEND Code of Practice and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• High standards of personal literacy and numeracy, with the capability to support and deliver foundational skills interventions.

Personal attributes and resilience

• A high level of emotional resilience and stability when supporting students with complex communication, sensory, or behavioural needs.
• The ability to ‘think on your feet’, use your own initiative, and respond calmly and effectively to unexpected classroom situations or challenges.
• A willingness to work flexibly across different learning environments (ARP, Marsden House, and mainstream) within the scope of your contracted hours.

Safeguarding

• A deep, demonstrable commitment to safeguarding and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of all children and vulnerable young people.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of strategies to support students in the classroom with complex needs
• Experience of working in a school environment for at least two years
• Experience of working with children who have SEND/EAL
• Driving licence with business use insurance