Learning Assistant
Purple Oaks Academy, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN2 7RR13 days remaining to apply
Start date details
1st June 2026
Closing date
30 April 2026 at 1pm
Date listed
13 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £24,796.00 - £25,989.00 Annually (FTE) £21,519.00 - £21,855.00 Annually (Actual) 37 hours per week, 39 weeks per year
Learning Assistant job summary
We are looking for a Learning Assistant to join our team here at Purple Oaks Academy!
This is a great opportunity for someone wanting to develop a wide range of skills whilst working in a friendly and supportive environment. We’re looking for an exceptional Learning Support Assistant who:
understands that all behaviour is communication
is committed to supporting our students to communicate in a range of different ways
has excellent communication skills and can work effectively as part of a team
can use their initiative and professional curiosity when supporting children
has great organisational skills
has the ability to relate to and engage with a wide range of students
has the ability to ensure high standards in terms of achievement and engagement
has high aspirations for the children they are supporting
Training and support will be provided from a welcoming and professional team. If you think you have what it takes to work within this role, we look forward to hearing from you.
Experience of working with children with Special Educational Needs would be advantageous.
About us:
Purple Oaks Academy is a thriving special academy in the heart of Northampton. Our purpose-built building opened in January 2018 and currently provides 126 places for students (3-18) with a diagnosis of autism and/or Severe Learning Difficulties. Specialising in education for young people who may be autistic and have cognitive and sensory differences, we offer a carefully tailored curriculum and unconditional support that replaces trepidation with confidence and challenges with opportunities.
What really sets us apart though is the incredible diversity of our students - the only thing they have in common is their autism. Join us and you’ll get to know every one as an individual, due to our small classes of between six and ten. This enables us to build amazing relationships with each student, taking the time to understand their passions and priorities, while helping them to get wherever they want to be in ten years’ time.
Our outstanding facilities - including a newly refurbished sensory room, a large PE hall and dining room, food tech room, library and extensive outdoor space - provide an incredible environment in which to grow and learn.
In return we have multiple benefits for our talented and highly valued people:
Alongside nationally agreed terms and conditions, we offer a generous benefits package. Here's a selection of what's on offer to our people in recognition of the huge difference they make to our children, their families and the communities we serve.
- A comprehensive package of benefits via our benefits marketplace
- A free digital wellbeing companion for all colleagues
- A free, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme - confidential & compassionate support when you need it
- Train & qualify as a Mental Health First Aider. We aim to have a qualified Mental Health First Aider in each academy
- Supporting your professional development through CPD, Apprenticeships, Upskilling and Professional Review
- Generous public sector pension schemes for everyone
- Eye tests & Spectacles Discount
- Family friendly policies and time off for dependants
- Dedicated ECT support programme
- Access to savings in childcare costs
- Generous annual leave allocation
- Automatic pay progression
- Free parking on all sites
- Principles on workload & directed time for teaching staff
- Professional Supervision for Academy Leaders
If this post attracts sufficient interest before the closing date, we may decide to close and interview this vacancy at an earlier date, so an early application is advised.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment. All posts will be subject to receipt of satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure, medical and reference checks. All pre-employment checks are in line with "Keeping Children Safe in Education”.
The Trust welcomes applications from all, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, age or sexual orientation.
All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Purple Oaks Academy
- School type
- Free School, ages 3 to 18
- School size
- 121 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Purple Oaks Academy website
About us:
Our purpose-built building opened in January 2018 and will provide 100 places for students (3-18) with a diagnosis of autism and/or Severe Learning Difficulties. The Academy currently has 94 students on roll from Reception to Year 10 and will grow to 100 in September 2021 with Reception to Year 11.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer tours of the academy at the moment but we do have a virtual tour on our website https://www.purpleoaksacademy.org/ . Opportunities to have a discussion about the role with a member of the leadership team are also available and you can contact Tina Matty, tmatty@purpleoaksacademy.org to arrange this.
We can offer you:
An exciting opportunity to work in a unique and growing academy with students with a range of complex needs,
A supportive and welcoming team with a wide range of experience,
A new building designed to meet the needs of our students with large outdoor spaces,
Career development opportunities as the Academy continues to grow and develop, an ongoing programme of continuous professional development activities through the local Teaching School Alliance and Greenwood Academies Trust Learning Alliance, including a Trust NQT programme,
Dedicated planning, preparation and assessment time.
In Return:
You can be assured that you will be joining a successful Multi Academy Trust that has a great track record in helping children to succeed no matter what their background. The Trust is dedicated to valuing and developing the workforce whether that be through ensuring a fair workload or offering access to bespoke CPD from the Learning Alliance to enhance professional growth.
We believe in looking after the people who make a huge difference to our children, their families and the communities we serve. That’s why we give everyone who joins a Perkbox account – with 24/7 access to perks and discounts, plus curated wellbeing tools to look after your physical and mental health. It’s part of our commitment to look after you.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Hundreds of global and local perks, available online 24/7
Shopping discounts from the biggest brands, all year round
Save money on everything from the supermarket shop to summer holidays
A free Employee Assistance Programme from Health Assured
If this post attracts sufficient interest before the closing date, we may decide to close and interview this vacancy at an earlier date, so an early application is advised.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks, therefore, all posts within the Trust are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. It is an offence to apply for a role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
All adults employed by the Trust have a responsibility for data protection and have a duty to observe and follow the principles of the GDPR Regulations.
The Trust welcomes applications from all, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, age or sexual orientation.
All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.
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