Job details
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £24488 - £27453 per annum
Teaching Assistant (Reading Support Assistant) job summary
Salary: NJC 12-19 £24,488 - £27,453 (Actual Salary) £28,598 - £32,061 (FTE) + well-being cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits
Hours: 37 per week, 39 weeks per year (Term time + inset days)
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 5th November
Interview date: TBC
Start date: November / December 2025
Looking to make a difference every day?
We are seeking a passionate and committed Teaching Assistant to specialise in reading intervention, who believes in the power of literacy to change futures. In this pivotal role, you will work closely with students who are reading below age-related expectations, helping them not only to catch up, but to fall in love with reading.
You will:
* Deliver targeted 1:1 and small group reading interventions across Years 7-11.
* Use proven strategies, guided by our Reading and Lexonik Leads, to build fluency, comprehension and confidence.
* Support students with additional literacy needs, including English language learners and those with specific learning differences.
* Model expressive, engaging reading that sparks curiosity and conversation.
* Use reading prompts to deepen understanding and encourage independent thinking.
* Work collaboratively with teachers and leaders, providing feedback that informs next steps and accelerates progress.
We're looking for someone who:
* Believes every child is capable of success.
* Is patient, encouraging and passionate about literacy.
* Can build trusted relationships and inspire confidence in young readers.
* Is committed to closing the reading gap and fostering lifelong learners.
* Have experience of working with young people.
* Trained in/ or willing to complete Teaching Assistant training (level 3).
* Has a minimum of GCSE C/4 in English.
We value the skills and dedication of our teaching assistants. To support the best outcomes for our students, we require applicants to hold at least a Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification; ideally Level 3. If you're working towards a level 3 qualification, we'll support your journey through our Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Programme, helping you develop the skills and confidence to make an even greater impact.
This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of young people.
About our school:
Lift Unity City is a thriving and diverse school in Middlesbrough, known for its sharp focus on student success. Awarded a 'Good' rating by Ofsted, we are proud of our supportive community and collaborative culture. Our school vision is simple, yet powerful- 'everyone has a determination to succeed, a love of learning, pride in their school and a strength of character.' Alongside excellent leadership and teaching, we will help children to go on to lead successful and happy lives.
Our dynamic leadership team and dedicated staff work together to create an environment where every student is championed, and every staff member is empowered. Our focused CPD programme ensures that you have the time and space to focus on what matters most; educating and inspiring young minds. People choose to join Lift Unity City because we offer a culture of high support and high expectations, where professional growth is encouraged and valued. Here, you'll be part of a passionate team committed to making a real difference, with the opportunity to contribute to an exciting school improvement journey and see your impact firsthand. With a clear vision and strong community behind us, Lift Unity City is a place where success is the expectation.
At Lift Unity City, we whole-heartedly believe all young people deserve a well-rounded, culturally rich education that fully prepares them to be confident in their ability to prosper in tomorrow's world. To be a part of their life changing journey is a privilege and a pleasure.
Who is Lift Schools?
We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 57 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.
We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.
We offer you:
* Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
* Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
* Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.
Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
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
Lift Schools is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
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 Lift Unity City
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1027 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
Welcome to Lift Unity City where our vision is of a school in which staff and students have a determination to succeed, a love of learning, pride in the school and a strength of character. We are committed to ensuring that all students are equipped with the academic and emotional skills which will allow them to lead successful and fulfilling lives.
All students follow a vision programme which aims to develop nine key character traits (curiosity, courage, empathy, enthusiasm, gratitude, integrity, resilience, self-belief and self-control). These character traits have been shown to boost academic performance and increase the chances of future success. Tutors and pupils work closely to develop these characteristics, tracking pupil progress throughout the year and intervening where necessary.
We take from a very diverse catchment area which means that our students are at the heart of everything we do, and we challenge and support them to achieve their full potential. You will find our students to be engaging, proud to live in and give back to their community and are ready to learn – all we need is you!
Ofsted
During our last inspection Lift Unity City secured a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating (May 2022).
WHY JOIN OUR SCHOOL?
Who is Lift Schools?
Lift Schools is made up of 57 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.
Our mission:
We will provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.
With excellent leadership and teaching in every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives.
We will work with others beyond our network to benefit more children and communities.
Development:
We are committed to developing all staff at all levels through high quality development opportunities, resources, and experiences that will support you on your professional learning journey with Lift Schools.
Lifestyle:
We champion agile/flexible working across the Trust to help our people achieve an optimal work/life balance.
Money:
All staff have access to our pension schemes (Local Government Pension Scheme and Teachers’ Pension Scheme). Everyone has free access to financial advice & support and can access a wide range of retail discounts through our Lift Schools Benefits scheme. We also offer Technology Loans to help with any big digital purchases.
Wellbeing:
We recognise that mental wellbeing is just as important as physical and have set up employee assistance programmes which offer free and confidential counselling 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our employees can access our health cash place scheme from BHSF.
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