Teaching Assistant

Horizons Academy, Mansfield, NG18 2DP

20 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  12 April 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  23 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 2, Key stage 3
• Working pattern: Full time: 37 hours a week Monday to Friday term time only
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £26,824

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for a Teaching Assistant who has a passion for supporting children and young people with complex needs in a specialist setting or with SEND experience. The safeguarding of pupils with SEMH needs is essential along with creating a secure and nurturing environment so that children attend every day possible.

You will work alongside the Principal, Senior Leaders and Teachers to ensure that every child experiences a positive and enriching educational experience and are well prepared and equipped for their future.

We are seeking people who are empathetic, professional and warm; someone who can be flexible and embrace a challenge.

Essential:

• Display commitment to protection and safeguarding of children and young people 
• Have working knowledge of working with students with SEMH and Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and a high level of competence in communication and interpersonal skills.
• Have the resolve to make a real difference to the lives of children.
• Be able to communicate effectively with parents and other professionals.
• Work constructively as part of a team, understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and own position within these.

Desirable:

• Work within a wider team to ensure the best quality education and support is provided for the children and young people attending Horizons Academy.
• A thorough and practical understanding of issues related to improving students' progress and ensuring quality of opportunity both in and out of the classroom.
• Be qualified in a relevant childcare qualification to at least NNEB, NVQ3 (or equivalent), and previous experience of working within SEN is desirable.

What the school offers its staff

Why join Horizons Academy?

Horizons Academy is a brand new, state of the art special school which opened in January 2026,to meet the needs of children and young people from Key Stages 2 to 5 with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), along with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). We are seeking highly motivated and dedicated Teaching Assistants to join us at this exciting time to be part of our talented and supportive team from day one!

The academy has capacity to accommodate 160 pupils aged 7 to 19 with class sizes of approximately 8 students.

Our vision is rooted in our firm belief that every child, regardless of individual need or ability, deserves an education that fosters inclusivity, meaningful engagement, and academic excellence. In meeting the wide-ranging specific needs of all learners, our curriculum will be aspirational, including a broad range of experiences but structured in such a way that it is accessible and can be tailored to the needs of every child. Ultimately, our vision is that every child and young person who learns within the walls of Horizons Academy will leave prepared for adulthood and can go on to be whoever they want to be and to achieve more than they could have ever imagined.

Our employee benefits

At Diverse Academies, you’ll find yourself in a vibrant, inclusive and supportive environment, where everyone can grow, progress and achieve a fulfilling career. We offer a fantastic range of rewards and benefits, challenging and interesting work, and opportunities to achieve your potential.

In return you will benefit from:

• Enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme with an employer contribution of at least 14%
• Excellent Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities covering technical, leadership and coaching skills via the trust’s Diverse Association for Professional Learning
• Full support and induction
• Networking opportunities across Diverse Academies
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health and Wellbeing delivered through our occupational health provider, eyecare vouchers for a free eye test and contribution towards glasses for display screen equipment users and access to GP helpline.
• Salary sacrifice schemes – electric car scheme, cycle to work, home and electronics.
• We offer a tax-efficient car salary sacrifice scheme for no deposit and can include car maintenance, servicing and breakdown cover for full peace of mind.
• Lifestyle savings - discounts and offers on gym memberships, holidays, days out, shopping, restaurants, etc
• Health cash plan (personal or family) – where you pay monthly and can claim money back on private treatments such as dental, optical and therapies (e.g. physiotherapy, osteopathy etc)
• Childcare – breakfast and after school provision
• Take a look at our rewards and benefits online

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

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Horizons Academy

• School type: Free School, ages 7 to 19
• School size: Up to 160 pupils
• Age range: 7 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Horizons Academy website
• Email address: lsimms@yeomanpark-ac.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/horizons-academy

School location

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