Senior Teaching Assistant 

Start date: ASAP 

Grade/Salary: Single Status Grade 4-5 Points 9-13 - £25,185-£26,402 full time equivalent. Actual salary example based on Grade 4 Point 9 is £22,121 

Contract: Permanent, full time (37 hours per week plus 30 minutes unpaid break per day, Monday – Friday), term time only 

We are seeking an exceptional Senior Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and those experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). This highly rewarding role offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people by helping them overcome barriers to learning, build confidence, and develop positive relationships. Working closely with teaching staff, families and external professionals, you will provide targeted support that enables pupils to re-engage with education, improve their emotional wellbeing, and achieve their full potential. Every day brings the chance to celebrate meaningful progress; whether it is a pupil attending school consistently, managing their emotions more effectively, or taking a positive step towards independence. If you are a compassionate, resilient and dedicated professional with a passion for supporting vulnerable young people, this role offers the chance to have a lasting impact and be part of a team that transforms lives. 

 Benefits of working with us: 

Uplands Academy a mixed 11-16 non-selective converter academy with approximately 835 students. Uplands is situated in Wadhurst, a small, rural town in East Sussex with traditional, independent shops in a warm and friendly local community. Wadhurst is close to Royal Tunbridge Wells which is approximately seven miles north with its bustling shopping centre, iconic landmarks and thriving social scene and fascinating architecture. Alot of our staff commute to us from a variety of places such as the south coast including Hastings and Eastbourne together with other locations across Kent and Sussex. 

Uplands Academy, alongside Beacon Academy and Hailsham Academy, is proud to be part of MARK Education Trust. The acronym MARK was selected because staff who work in the Trust are motivated, ambitious, resourceful and knowledgeable. The Trust was established in September 2022 with the integration of Uplands Academy (formerly Uplands Community College) into the partnership with Beacon Academy. In September 2025, the Trust were delighted to welcome Hailsham Academy (formerly Hailsham Community College Academy Trust). Together, we are committed to building strong, cohesive teams dedicated to driving continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring our students thrive and our staff are empowered to deliver and develop with excellence. 

For further details, please contact the Human Resources department on 01892 782135 or email cburgess@uplands-academy.org. Please be advised that we do not accept curriculum vitae.  

MARK Education Trust (Beacon, Uplands and Hailsham Academies) is 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. 

NB: we advise applying promptly for this post as we reserve the right to close and interview early if sufficient suitable applications have been received.