Senior Teaching Assistant (SEMH & EBSA)

Uplands Academy, Wadhurst, East Sussex, TN5 6AZ

10 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  13 July 2026 at 8am

• Date listed

  3 July 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £25,185.00 - £26,402.00 Annually (FTE)

Senior Teaching Assistant (SEMH & EBSA) job summary

Senior Teaching Assistant

Start date: ASAP

Grade/Salary: Single Status Grade 4-5 Points 9-13 - £25,185-£26,402 full time equivalent. Actual salary example based on Grade 4 Point 9 is £22,121

Contract: Permanent, full time (37 hours per week plus 30 minutes unpaid break per day, Monday - Friday), term time only

We are seeking an exceptional Senior Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and those experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). This highly rewarding role offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people by helping them overcome barriers to learning, build confidence, and develop positive relationships. Working closely with teaching staff, families and external professionals, you will provide targeted support that enables pupils to re-engage with education, improve their emotional wellbeing, and achieve their full potential. Every day brings the chance to celebrate meaningful progress; whether it is a pupil attending school consistently, managing their emotions more effectively, or taking a positive step towards independence. If you are a compassionate, resilient and dedicated professional with a passion for supporting vulnerable young people, this role offers the chance to have a lasting impact and be part of a team that transforms lives.

Benefits of working with us:

• Flexible working approach

• Staff recognition initiatives

• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme/Teacher’s Pension Scheme

• Generous annual leave entitlement (support staff)

• Access to Wellbeing Support through our Employee Assistance Programme, this includes free confidential telephone and face to face counselling

• Opportunities to share your views through staff surveys and forums

• Eligibility to access Blue Light Card and discounts

• Discounted use of Gym & Exercise Classes at Uplands Academy

• Free parking available onsite or within close proximity to all our schools

• Free optician’s eyesight test for DSE users

Uplands Academy a mixed 11-16 non-selective converter academy with approximately 835 students. Uplands is situated in Wadhurst, a small, rural town in East Sussex with traditional, independent shops in a warm and friendly local community. Wadhurst is close to Royal Tunbridge Wells which is approximately seven miles north with its bustling shopping centre, iconic landmarks and thriving social scene and fascinating architecture. Alot of our staff commute to us from a variety of places such as the south coast including Hastings and Eastbourne together with other locations across Kent and Sussex.

Uplands Academy, alongside Beacon Academy and Hailsham Academy, is proud to be part of MARK Education Trust. The acronym MARK was selected because staff who work in the Trust are motivated, ambitious, resourceful and knowledgeable. The Trust was established in September 2022 with the integration of Uplands Academy (formerly Uplands Community College) into the partnership with Beacon Academy. In September 2025, the Trust were delighted to welcome Hailsham Academy (formerly Hailsham Community College Academy Trust). Together, we are committed to building strong, cohesive teams dedicated to driving continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring our students thrive and our staff are empowered to deliver and develop with excellence.

For further details, please contact the Human Resources department on 01892 782135 or email cburgess@uplands-academy.org. Please be advised that we do not accept curriculum vitae.

MARK Education Trust (Beacon, Uplands and Hailsham Academies) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

NB: we advise applying promptly for this post as we reserve the right to close and interview early if sufficient suitable applications have been received.

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

All posts are subject to DBS enhanced clearance, health checks and satisfactory references. MARK Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

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 Uplands Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 736 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Uplands Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/uplands-community-college-wadhurst

Uplands Academy converted to an Academy in September 2022 and became a member of the MARK Education Trust (formally Beacon Community College Academy Trust). The acronym MARK was selected because staff who work in the trust are motivated, ambitious, resourceful, and knowledgeable. This partnership will provide many exciting opportunities for professional development, and the sharing of good practice across the schools within the trust.

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