Teaching Assistant
Southfields Academy, London, SW18 5JU14 days remaining to apply
Job start date
2 February 2026
Closing date
23 January 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
8 January 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
- HLTA (higher level teaching assistant)
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time, part time: Monday-Friday (8.15am-3.15pm) Term-time only
Contract type
- Fixed term - End of academic year
Actual salary
- £20,263.10- £20,804.89
What skills and experience we're looking for
Key Responsibilities:
- To work with individual and/or groups of students with learning difficulties, both in class and in the learning support base (inclusion), to enable students to access the curriculum;
- To support students’ learning needs using a wide range of strategies and methods, according to difficulty, including personal care;
- To contribute to the monitoring and tracking of individual and groups of students, their Individual Learning Plans (ILP) and Annual Review of the supported student(s) as appropriate, and to apply specific strategies as outlined in reviews and assessments in order to support each identified student’s learning and progress;
- To liaise with teachers and other Academy staff in the preparation of plans and resources;
- To ensure regular and effective communication with parents/carers to support continued progress towards targets;
- To prepare and adapt resources used in class to ensure that they are accessible to students with special and additional learning needs;
- To attend training days/meetings that support the student(s) or address the needs of the Academy, in accordance with contractual arrangements as appropriate;
- To monitor students in lessons and provide teachers with feedback on participation and progress;
- To invigilate examinations and act as a reader or scribe as requested;
- To take part in Academy activities and events as required, accompanying and supporting students on trips from the Academy as necessary;
- To apply the Academy’s behaviour management policy consistently and fairly;
- To have due regard to the Health & Safety at Work legislation in all aspects of the post;
- To promote the Academy’s Equal Opportunities policy in carrying out all areas of the post;
- Such other duties as may reasonably be required and are commensurate with the post grade
- To take responsibility for personal continuous professional development;
- To take part, as appropriate, in the Academy’s professional development programme;
- To engage actively in the Performance Management Review process;
- To evaluate own personal performance through self-evaluation and learn from the effective practice of others and from evidence;
- Professional Values and Practice;
- To support the Academy’s responsibility to provide and monitor opportunities for the personal and academic growth of students;
- To provide a role model through their personal and professional conduct;
- To work as a member of designated teams and contribute positively to effective working relations within the Academy;
- To be proficient in the application of literacy, numeracy and ICT;
- To safeguard the health and safety of all students both on the Academy premises and when engaged in authorised Academy activities elsewhere;
- To contribute to the effective running of the Academy.
What we are looking for:
Essential:
- Experience of working with children or young people in a learning environment.
- Grade 4/C or above in GCSE English and Mathematics or equivalent
Essential:
- Basic knowledge of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and other barriers to learning, including ASD, Visual Impairments, Physical Disabilities, and Mental Health.
- Understanding of the importance of safeguarding and child protection.
- Knowledge of basic behaviour management strategies.
Essential
- To have expectations for all children’s achievement
- To be able to make a difference in the lives of the children who attend this academy
- To be able to build excellent relationships with parents and staff
- To be creative and innovative
- To be able to take the initiative
- To be determined to succeed
Desirable:
- Experience in a similar role or school setting.
- Experience working with pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).
- Experience in supporting pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs.
Desirable:
- Basic knowledge of first aid (e.g., emergency first aid course).
- Knowledge of specific intervention strategies or programmes.
- Understanding of the National Curriculum.
Desirable
- Positive, friendly and upbeat personality
- Knowledge of Child Protection/Safeguarding
- The ability to be proactive and flexible
- Take responsibility for personal professional development
What the school offers its staff
About us:
Please note that Southfields Academy will only accept applications directly from candidates themselves. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a sufficient number of applications be received. With this in mind, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible in order to avoid any disappointment. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Please be aware that Southfields Academy is unfortunately unable to provide visa sponsorship.
Southfields Academy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and recognises the importance of an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates.
Southfields Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, along with other relevant pre-employment checks.
Professional Development
Our Academy is committing to developing support staff – we have a full Induction and Performance Management process. INSET Days will have training opportunities for support staff.
Staff Benefits
Staff are automatically enrolled as members of the Aspire Centre which is the Academy's onsite sports centre and adult learning facility. Staff can use the fitness suite and the swimming pool during supervised sessions before the school day begins and after school.
Staff are provided with tea and coffee during break time and there is a designated staff counter in the dining room at which staff can purchase food at cost price during the school day.
The Academy has a private day nursery on site at which staff can enrol their children and at which a discount is available for Academy staff, subject to spaces being available.
Subject to the position and to negotiation with the Principal, part time working is supported at all levels.
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
Please complete the online application.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Apply for this jobUpload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Southfields Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1179 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Southfields Academy website
- Email address
- hr@southfieldsacademy.com
- Phone number
- 02088752600
At Southfields we aim to create a culture of tolerance and respect for others, where students and staff work together to improve. Our vision is to develop a provision that will secure the best life chances for our students once they leave Southfields Academy. This environment must inspire each individual in the community to be the very best that they can be. At Southfields we have the highest expectations of achievement and behaviour and offer a nurturing and supportive environment where we celebrate difference and ensure that everyone meets their full potential. We value every individual and commit to ensuring everyone feels supported and listened to.
We offer the highest quality educational experience, aiming to inspire a generation of lifelong learners, who take pride in their achievements and take ownership of their learning. We believe creativity and imagination are the key to developing future passions and talents. We have a positive, “can do” attitude, believing that the sky is our limit, and we will think creatively and innovatively to meet the needs of our learners and our community.
A successful Southfields student will be one that understands the world we live in and is curious and keen to develop further by learning from others around them. This student will leave Southfields ready for their next stage in education or employment, equipped to learn and to grow.
Arranging a visit to Southfields Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hr@southfieldsacademy.com.
School location
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