What skills and experience we're looking for
Knowledge, Skills & Experience Essential: • GCSE Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent, in both English and Maths • Understanding of classroom roles and responsibilities and your own position within these • Good communication skills both oral and written • Experience of working with young people, preferably in a school setting • Ability to use a range of technology to support the role • Ability to build positive relationships with all stakeholders • Ability to work constructively as part of a team Desirable: • Completion of DfES Teacher Assistant NVQ Level 3, or equivalent • Working with or caring for children of relevant • Understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and your own position within these • Emergency First Aid or First aid at work qualification • Previous experience of working with young people preferably in a school setting
What the school offers its staff
Our most recent Ofsted inspection was in July 2024. There has been no change to the Academy’s overall judgement of ‘Good’ as a result of this ungraded (Section 8) inspection. However, the evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might be ‘Outstanding’ if a graded (Section 5) inspection were carried out.
Inspectors said that:
“The school has an exceptionally consistent approach to teaching. Pupils learn effectively
because of careful teacher explanation followed by opportunities to practise and apply
their knowledge. Teachers routinely check that pupils understand. Pupils value the
consistency in lessons. They know that this is how they learn and remember.”
This outcome is testament to the hard work and commitment of the staff in the Academy and also to the students, parents/carers and wider community that the Academy serves. We will continue to strive forward to give students in our Academy the opportunities to achieve their best possible outcomes and life chances.
Don Valley Academy is proud to be an EEF Research. One of only 33 Research Schools across England, we work to exemplify our evidence informed teaching and learning strategies, share what we know about putting research into practice, and support schools in the region to make better use of evidence to inform and improve their teaching and learning.
This has been achieved by having dedicated and enthusiastic staff who are committed to giving our community an extraordinary educational experience. Having secured our students their best Y11 outcomes and working in state of the art facilities, we welcome you to come and join us. We pride ourselves on being the most dynamic and energetic Academy and are looking for someone who wants to be part of something special.
We are a vibrant, oversubscribed, Academy with over 1100 students on roll. We serve a mixed community however, despite these challenges, you will find Don Valley students to be polite and engaged with their learning.
As a community we embrace all opportunities and strive to support and challenge each other. We have a comprehensive professional development calendar which is tailored specifically to meet the current needs. Staff enjoy the leadership opportunities found within our ‘DEEPs’ model and are able to gain experiences of roles across the Academy from Aspiring Leaders to Associate Assistant Principals.
Collaboration is at the heart of the Academy for both students and staff and you will find Don Valley Academy to be positive and reflective towards their own professionalism, with wellbeing as a pivotal aspect of our Academy ethos.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.