Group Guide (Grade 5)

Springwell Special Academy, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S71 2AY

14 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  18 September 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  4 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £22,134.00 - £24,011.00 Annually (Actual) 33 hours per week, working term time plus 5 inset days

Group Guide (Grade 5) job summary

ABOUT US

Springwell Learning Community is the umbrella name for Springwell Special Academy and Springwell Alternative Academy. Springwell Special Academy provides cross-phase education for Barnsley children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties SEMH.

Our school is proud to offer a supportive team; high quality personalised training and an opportunity to work with utterly fabulous children as outlined in our VALUES -

KINDNESS - COURAGE - CURIOSITY - PRIDE

THE ROLE

We are seeking a dedicated experienced candidate to join our team as a Group Guide (Grade 5). The ideal candidate will have a passion for working with children and younger people for those with special education and behavioural needs in a SEMH setting.

- Your purpose/ focus is to provide essential support to a specific group of students who have complex social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.
- Plan and facilitate smooth transitions between lessons and activities throughout the school day, providing pupils with safe and predictable learning routines at school
- Provide a 'secure base' by helping students regulate emotions, modelling trusting adult behaviour, supporting relationships, maintaining calm consistency, and asserting boundaries without inducing shame. - As a key member of staff, build strong, trusting relationships with your group of students

THE CANDIDATE

- Experience working with children or younger people with complex needs
- A strong understanding of positive behaviour support strategies and de-escalation techniques is an essential ability - Ability to educate and engage students effectively - Strong communication skills to interact with students, parents, and colleagues - Educated with GCSE Math's and English or equivalent - NVQ L3 qualification, equivalent or willing to work towards

Joining our team as a Group Guide offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students' lives while gaining valuable experience and rewards in an educational setting. Our school achieved Gold Investors in People with this vision and the associated goals of the organisation require the continued dedication and commitment of its employees and as such it recognises the importance of engaging, supporting, managing and developing its people effectively and professionally.

SALARY/HOURSStarting salary is £22,134, this is your actual annual salary per annum (£28,598 FTE) working 33 hours per week Mon-Fri term time only + 5 inset days + amazing benefits working for our Wellspring trust.

NEXT STEPS

For more information please refer to the job description attached. If you are interested in this excellent opportunity simply click APPLY NOW, alternatively if you have additional questions then please reach out to our recruitment coordinator, Lauren: lleibrick@wellspringacademies.org.uk

If you are unsure if you meet all the criteria but have an interest in this opportunity then please do submit your application.

If this post isn't for you, check out our other vacancies. You can find these here!

Why Join Our Talent Pool?

If we don't have any suitable vacancies available, we encourage you to register for our Talent Pool. When applying, you aren't just joining a waiting list, you are positioning yourself at the front of the line for a rewarding career. When a suitable vacancy opens, our talent pool is our first port of call and our recruitment team will be in touch. We will keep you up to date with the latest news and activities within our school on a regular basis. We are regularly looking for support staff and we offer a range of flexible contracts.

Complete our Talent Pool application form by clicking here!

We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

We want our people to reflect our diverse communities and create a safe space in which everyone belongs. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and especially those from under-represented groups including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All posts are offered subject to enhanced DBS checks and appropriate references. All posts are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

We reserve the right to close this advert prior to the advertised closing date. Early applications are encouraged.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Springwell Special Academy

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 5 to 16
• Size: 136 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 5 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Springwell Special Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/springwell-special-academy

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