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Would you like to join us on our journey to become an outstanding school of first choice at the heart of our local community? Do you care enough to want to make a significant difference to the lives of our amazing students? The Dorcan Academy is seeking a dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistant to join an effective team committed to in-class and individual/small group support to promote both teaching and learning and the social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) development of students. You will provide SEMH support and educational activities for students within the Special Educational Needs (SEND) learning area and also identify, plan, and deliver individual/small group sessions to address specific learning needs. There is also a requirement to undertake break duties.
What We're Looking For:
•Experienced and Qualified: Ideally holds a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification (or working towards it), with prior experience supporting students in educational settings, particularly those with SEND/SEMH needs.
•Skilled and Supportive: Strong interpersonal skills with both students and adults, confident in delivering targeted interventions, and proficient in basic IT applications like Word and Excel.
•Desirable Extras: ELSA or HLTA trained, graduate-level education, and experience with phonics teaching are advantageous.
We have been on a journey of improvement over the past ten years and in July 2022 were judged GOOD in all categories by Ofsted which is a major achievement. In our school students are ready to learn and ‘low level disruption is rare’. Ofsted were impressed with the excellent behaviour of our students both in lessons and around the school. We pride ourselves on being an ‘academy of opportunity’ for all with excellent relationships between staff and students.
As a member of staff you will be highly valued and will be supported to flourish within the team as well as the academy as a whole.
Although we don’t boast a shiny new building, we do have excellent facilities, with a supportive, friendly school culture and ethos which is often commented upon by visitors.
We will offer you:
•A supportive and bespoke staff induction programme
•Access to high quality professional development
•Unrivalled support from the leadership team
•Excellent specialist facilities and resources
•Committed staff who ‘go the extra mile’
•Motivated, enthusiastic students who are ready and eager to learn
The Dorcan Academy is an 11-16 academy situated on the eastern edge of Swindon with a comprehensive, challenging and enriching curriculum and a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities.
Our vision is to be an outstanding school of first choice at the heart of our local community. We aim to do this through our:
1)Culture - An inclusive school where everyone is valued, cared for and nurtured in an extraordinary way.
2)Curriculum - Students acquire ‘powerful knowledge’ and skills that prepare them fully for the world work and their wellbeing, delivered through outstanding teaching
3)Character - Students stand out as model citizens, showing kindness, respect and doing their best
4)Community - All stakeholders use their unique gifts and talents to serve others and enable them to flourish
At The Dorcan Academy our ethos is underpinned by the five principles of: Belonging, Purpose, Aspiration, Perseverance and Achievement and we seek to develop in our students the character virtues of Honesty, Integrity, Compassion, Courage, Generosity, Gratitude, Personal Responsibility, Resilience and Self-Discipline.
Closing Date: Friday 19 December 2025 12 noon
Hours: 08:15 – 4:00pm(Mon-Thurs) 08:15 – 3:45pm(Fri) Term time only
Salary: NJC Scale 4 Points 7-11 (£26,403 - £28,142 full time equivalent)
Start Date: As soon as possible
(Please note that this advert may close early if a suitable candidate is found before the closing date)
Safeguarding Statement
The Dorcan Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.