Leigh Academy Tonbridge is seeking to recruit a Teaching Assistant to join their support team from September 2025. Our appointed candidate will receive fantastic training and development opportunities from the off-set with scope to positively influence our students’ learning. This role will suit both experienced TAs who are looking to join our academy, and also be suitable for graduates looking to gain first-hand experience with a view to commencing Teacher Training with us in the future.
In the role of Teaching Assistant, our successful candidate will implement structured learning activities/teaching programmes and support pupils in accessing learning activities under the guidance of the class teacher. You will also provide feedback to pupils in relation to their progress and achievement in order for pupils to realise their full potential and manage classroom activities safely ensuring that the physical learning space and the resources within this space are conducive to pupil learning.
Main responsibilities include:
* To contribute to facilitating student access to the education system, assessing and supporting achievement and monitoring progress towards EHCP/ILP objectives;
* To provide practical and developmental assistance to the line manager in the academy in catering for the educational and personal welfare needs of students;
* As far as possible, to ensure a safe working environment for staff and students.
This is a fixed term opportunity offering an actual salary of £18,437 per annum (£24,404 full time equivalent) based on 32.5 hours per week, Term Time + 1 week inset.
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Working with us at Leigh Academy Tonbridge
‘Behaviour and attitudes are exceptional’ Ofsted, 2022.
‘Staff are proud to work at the school. There is a strong culture of collaboration and sharing.’
The school’s small size means that all pupils are known, valued and nurtured.’
'Senior Leaders have a passionate and ambitious vision about providing high-quality education for all pupils at the schoolsenior leaders are relentless about raising standards and maintaining high expectations by keeping a high profile around the school.’
Joining us at Leigh Academy Tonbridge: Building on the strengths of our legacy school, Hayesbrook Academy, Leigh Academy Tonbridge will open our doors to the first cohort of year 7 students, including boys and girls, for September 2023.
Hayesbrook Academy first opened in 1964. Having always been an all-boys school, our history before then is closely linked to the old Sussex Road Boys School, where records go back to the early 1900’s, and so we have a strong tradition of education provision in Tonbridge. The modern day academy has always been an 11-18 comprehensive school with a mixed sixth form, serving the local community.
Since being the first school in West Kent to gain Academy Status in 2010, the academy led the way in achieving excellent standards and in creating a multi-academy Trust. We were graded ‘Excellent’ by Ofsted in 2005, 2008 and 2009. The academic success and high standards have continued and inspections in 2013, 2017 and most recently in December 2022, found the school to be ‘good’ overall but recognised students’ behaviour and attitudes as ‘exceptional’ (graded as ‘outstanding’). Furthermore, the inspection recognised strengths in reading and literacy; careers provision; teachers’ subject knowledge; the support provided by the trust and the governing body; as well as identifying the ‘meticulous’ arrangements for safeguarding. The report also recognised “Senior leaders are relentless about raising standards and maintaining high expectations”.. Our press release and the full Ofsted report can be accessed here.
The Academy grows, adapts and thrives with each new cohort of students that are welcomed here every September and our recent move to Leigh Academies Trust has strengthened the academy’s ability to deliver the very best for our pupils.
Being part of Leigh Academies Trust
As of 1st September 2024, our Trust comprises 33 geographically organised academies (17 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating more than 24,000 students and employing 4,000 talented staff. Currently, 16 of our academies are considered to be “Outstanding” which is 53% of those which have been inspected whilst part of the Trust. The Trust is establishing three ‘clusters’ of academies: LAT Central; LAT West; LAT North. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Our future plans are found in our Vision 2030 document available on our website .
As part of Leigh Academies Trust, you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.
Click here to view the benefits available to all LAT employees from day one.
Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.
Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.
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