UTC Plymouth, Reach South Academy Trust is seeking to appoint an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant  to join the School as soon as possible.

Post: [ 250110] SEN Teaching Assistant

Location: UTC Plymouth, Park Avenue, Devonport, Plymouth, PL1 4RL

FTE Salary Range: Grade C, Pt 5 -7, £24,790  rising to a maximum of £25,584 per annum, pro rata

Actual Salary: £19,337 rising to a maximum of £19,998

Contract Type: Permanent, term time only (39 weeks per year)

Contract Hours: 32.5 per week, Monday to Friday

About the role

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Teaching Assistant to work directly with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and those facing academic challenges. The role involves providing one-on-one and small group support to help students engage with the curriculum, adapt learning materials, and develop essential social, communication, and academic skills. The Teaching Assistant will collaborate closely with the classroom teacher and other professionals, ensuring individualized support through tailored learning plans and monitoring student progress.

Key responsibilities include fostering a structured, safe learning environment, assisting with behaviour management, and supporting students during transitions. The ideal candidate will have experience working with children with Autism or special educational needs, strong communication skills, and the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. A proactive, patient approach and commitment to promoting students' independence and emotional well-being are essential.

About the successful candidate

The successful candidate will be a compassionate, patient, and adaptable individual with a strong commitment to supporting children with Autism and academic challenges. They will have experience working with children with special educational needs, particularly those on the Autism spectrum, and be familiar with evidence-based strategies for fostering social, communication, and academic development.

They will possess excellent communication skills, enabling them to interact effectively with students, teachers, and other professionals. The ideal candidate will be proactive, with the ability to adjust to the diverse needs of each student, and demonstrate a calm, empathetic approach to managing behavior and ensuring a positive, inclusive learning environment. A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team are essential qualities.

About the School

UTC Plymouth is an educational college for 11-19 year olds specialising in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths. Our curriculum is delivered through a combination of industry standard workshop experiences, a focus on high achievement in core academic subjects and industry-led challenges with the aim of offering clear progression routes into employment, apprenticeships, higher education or further learning in work.

Our Core Values; dedication, discipline, professional, resilience and respect, have been developed by students and sanctioned by our partners as personal attributes they desire in employees. They are the bedrock of our college in terms of our ethos, expectations and the personal development journey of our students.

UTC Plymouth works with the most exciting employers in the South West; everything our students learn is geared towards helping them achieve an apprenticeship, setting them up for university and starting an exciting career in high paying industries. The Academy has a PAN of 650.

About the Trust

Reach South is a young and developing Trust which operates across the South West of England with the aim of delivering all through 3-19 education.  We operate 17 academies in Plymouth, Bournemouth, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.  We are building this Trust on a clear set of values, behaviours and curriculum principles. At the heart of those values and principles is a belief in our young people and a determination to support them to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become the successful citizens for today and all of their tomorrows.

Our core business is delivering exceptional education for children and young people with a mission to help all pupils aspire to achieve beyond the expectations that others put on them.  We do this through the development of a talented and committed workforce. In order to deliver exceptional opportunities for learning, we need highly motivated staff across all parts of the organisation. 

Those we recruit are able to demonstrate that they share our values, are highly motivated to work with colleagues, within and beyond their school, to continuously develop their skills and pursue professional excellence.

Next Steps

If you think this role may be for you and want to be involved at this exciting time in our development and have any questions about the position, please get in touch by calling the Recruitment team on 07759365064 or emailing us at recruitment@reachsouth.org.

Closing date: for applications is Midnight on Sunday 2nd February 2025

Interview Date:  Interviews are provisionally booked for 11th  February 2025

To apply for this opportunity, please complete our online application form by clicking ‘apply now’ on the advert.

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

Opportunities and Benefits 

We offer a competitive salary plus LGPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits. 

We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e-learning and face-to-face training.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting.