Teaching Assistant (SEMH)

The King Alfred School an Academy, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3EE

9 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  20 April 2026

• Closing date

  22 February 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  12 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Working pattern: Part time, full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full-time equivalent salary: TPLTSS5 £19,883 - £21,871 (actual salary)

Teaching Assistant (SEMH) job summary

Fixed term contract until 11th April 2027, or until the return of the post holder

Term Time Only

Part time - 30 Hours per week

TPLTSS5 £19,883 - £21,871 (actual salary)

Plus various Company Benefits

The Priory Learning Trust (Somerset Business Award winner for Employer of the Year) is looking to recruit a Teaching Assistant with a focus on SEMH to work at The King Alfred School - An Academy, rated 'Good' by Ofsted November 2022. A school at the heart of the community, where we believe it is our role to develop the next generation into successful citizens.

Are you passionate about unlocking a child's reading and writing potential? Do you thrive on providing emotional support and nurture to help students overcome barriers and access the curriculum?

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled SEMH Teaching Assistant to join our supportive team. In this vital role, you will implement agreed work programmes with individuals and groups, utilising your expertise to deliver differentiated learning materials both inside and outside the classroom. You'll contribute to students' success by assisting with documentation, managing study groups, and liaising with external agencies and parents.

If you have excellent literacy skills, a proactive approach to team working, and a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, we want to hear from you!

At TKASA, we look after our colleagues. We offer high quality development opportunities and a supportive, dynamic and diverse workplace, highly supported by a hands-on team in all areas, from support, to teaching, to senior leadership.

For support staff at TKASA, we offer a variety of development opportunities - fully funded apprenticeships, cross site working and opportunities to share best practice and experiences across all of our trust schools.

As part of this role, you will;

• Work within the direction of the SENDCo to undertake a specific range of clerical duties which support the management of the school in an effective and positive manner.
• Act as an integral part of the school staff team and as such to make a contribution to the overall aims of the school, working within agreed policies and procedures.
• Support learning, (using specific area/s of expertise), for a variety of individuals or groups of pupils as directed by the relevant team leader/subject teacher or SENCo. Activity takes place within or outside of the classroom.

The successful candidate will have;

• Qualifications in Literacy and Numeracy equivalent to GCSE Grade A*-C or Level 2.
• NVQ/VRQ Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or relevant work experience.
• A minimum of two and a half years working as a Learning Support Assistant at level 2 in a Secondary school.
• Specific areas of expertise in supported learning.

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and required qualifications, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

We pride ourselves on being a flexible employer and creating a supportive, team-focused environment that values staff wellbeing. TPLT strives to accommodate a variety of working arrangements, so we encourage you to apply.

At the Priory Learning Trust, we offer an incredible, comprehensive employee benefits package. This includes..

The PLaTform -Access to our dedicated wellbeing centre & exclusive shopping discounts.

Healthshield - Funded Healthcare Scheme for employees and all dependents, which provides services such as a 24/7 GP Line & Healthcare cashback.

Discounted nursery fees for parents AND grandparents at our Academy pre schools.

Contributory pension scheme offering generous employer contribution rates.

CPD opportunities both internally & externally.

A very friendly school community with dedicated, supportive & inspiring colleagues.

Health & Fitness offers, including incredible discounts on @Worle Sports Centre and Nuffield Health, and a Cycle 2 Work Scheme.

Flu vaccinations.

About The Priory Learning Trust:

TPLT grew from an intent to bring the power of partnership and sharing to bear and provide a first-class education to a wide range of children, from all backgrounds.

At our heart is a passion to put ‘Students First’ and deliver exceptional education; beyond outstanding for every single child. We do this with a relentless drive for academic excellence, shared moral purpose and values combined with lots of fun and happiness. We believe that happy schools are also high-achieving, successful schools.

We strive for partnerships between students, families, staff and the wider community to create exceptional student outcomes. We also ‘cherish’ our staff. We believe they are amazing and are passionate to empower them through support, training, and career opportunities. With such brilliant people all aiming for the same goals, we are able to ensure every student achieves all that they are capable of and more, regardless of their background.

Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

The Priory Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles across the trust have a varying level of responsibility for ensuring safeguarding practice, with some roles holding significant responsibility and involving working with children on a daily basis in regulated activity. Regardless of the level of responsibility and involvement in each role, we expect all staff, visiting professionals and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. Successful candidates will be required to provide a disclosure of any unspent convictions and cautions, as well as any spent convictions or cautions that are not ‘protected’ (i.e.filtered) under the Amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 and 2020).

All appointments are subject to a comprehensive pre-employment checking process. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (including a Children’s Barred List check), satisfactory references, medical fitness, Right to Work in the UK, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching/management check. In line with KCSIE guidance, we will also conduct online searches on all shortlisted candidates.

Our full Recruitment and Selection policy is available on our website.

This role involves working with children on a daily basis and is therefore in regulated activity.

Closing Date: 22nd February 2026

Proposed Interview Date: 27th February 2026

Proposed Start Date: 20th April 2026

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

The Priory Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All paid positions which involve working regularly within academies are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. You must declare all convictions (including convictions with Absolute Discharge), cautions or bind-overs you may have, even if they would otherwise be regarded as ‘Spent’ under this Act and where applicable any disqualifications under the Childcare Act.

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 The King Alfred School an Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1294 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The King Alfred School an Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-king-alfred-school-an-academy

The King Alfred School – an academy and part of the Priory Learning Trust is a thriving 11-18 mixed comprehensive with 1217 students on roll serving the towns of Burnham on Sea and Highbridge.

School location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Somerset, Bath and Bristol