Teaching Assistant (EYFS)

"The school’s Nursery and Reception Years are also beacons of excellence because of the energy, dedication and expertise of leaders and staff". - Ofsted 2023

Bearsted Primary Academy has an exceptional opportunity for a committed, enthusiastic and passionate Teaching Assistant - EYFS to join us from September 2024. Becoming a member of the Bearsted Primary Academy team will enable you to work with like-minded colleagues who share your goals and ambitions. You will be part of a team that provides an outstanding education for all of our pupils through creative, carefully sequenced and highly effective inquiry led learning, where all learners are at the very core of driving our curriculum.

The successful candidate will need to have relevant experience and/or qualifications in EYFS, as this is where the role sits. We are also looking for proven high standards of both spoken and written English and Mathematics. Being able to communicate effectively with children and adults is essential, together with a friendly and approachable manner. Our newly appointed Teaching Assistant will be able to work using their own initiative and demonstrate effective behaviour management skills. In return, they will join a supportive environment with plenty of development opportunities within the academy and across the wider Trust.

This is a permanent position offering an actual salary of £17,160 (£22,714 full time equivalent) based on 32.5 hours per week, Term Time + 1 week of inset.

Please note that the team intend to interview for this position on Wednesday 26th June 2024.

We are particularly looking for someone who:

• is dedicated to the job and prioritises the needs of the children in their care.
• has experience of working with primary-aged children
• is resilient and solution-focused
• is committed to working as part of a team with everyone

In return, we can offer:

• An inspiring and supportive staff team committed to providing a good level of education for every pupil.
• An excellent offer of continuing professional development for all staff.
• An exciting and creative learning setting where everyone is listened to and there is a very strong teamwork ethic.
• Many wider career opportunities through the Leigh Academies Trust.

Take a look inside Bearsted Primary Academy

Do you know a great Teaching Assistant who would like to hear about opportunities with Leigh Academies Trust? If so, make a referral today for the chance to receive £100 as a 'thank you'. Simply complete the referral form by clicking here. T&C's apply.

Following their visit in January 2023, Ofsted judged Bearsted Primary Academy to be outstanding stating that:

"It is an exceptional school in every way."

"A key strength of the school is the ongoing professional development that staff can access. This is delivered internally by school leaders or through curriculum experts from the multi-academy trust." 

"The curriculum is bespoke and ambitious."

"The school’s Nursery and Reception Years are also beacons of excellence because of the energy, dedication and expertise of leaders and staff."

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: Bearsted Primary Academy opened in September 2020 and welcomed its first cohort of Reception children of up to 60 pupils, two classes of 30 in each. Currently, the academy has Nursery, Reception and Years 1-5. Every year we will continue to grow our academy until we reach full capacity of 420 pupils across Years R - 6 and 24 pupils in Nursery.

A broad and balanced curriculum is at the heart of an aspirational and successful school.  To enhance our curriculum delivery, we are an authorised World School for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). This is an inquiry led framework that complements the National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage, fostering independent learners who continue to thrive. Surrounded by talented, dedicated practitioners, we aim to deliver pupils engaging and challenging experiences and opportunities within their education, which are both enjoyable and develop a thirst for learning. In doing this, we look to provide the highest quality learning experiences for every child throughout their whole day at the academy.

We are committed to providing an education and environment where children feel safe and cared for, take risks and embrace learning, experience a sense of pride in all that they achieve and, where children develop social, emotional and academic skills preparing them for a bright future.

Bearsted Primary Academy focuses on the development of the whole child, both in and outside of the classroom, with an emphasis on inquiry-led learning, encouraging our pupils to challenge, question and take ownership of their learning. In order to achieve this, we believe in the importance of building strong partnerships between the adults and pupils in our school, ensuring all learners succeed and benefit from the relationships formed within a caring and encouraging environment. This approach to learning and development is continued in our Wrap Around Care.

Therefore, to be a successful candidate you need to be passionate, dedicated, reflective, proactive and caring. We are looking for someone who has good communication skills and is flexible in their approach when supporting children and working alongside other colleagues. You will be expected to complete key training as deemed appropriate to the role. As a Trust, we know it is important to be positive, inspirational and a real team player.

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st April 2024, our Trust comprises 32 geographically organised academies (16 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating more than 20,000 students and employing 3,000 talented staff. Nearly 40% of our academies are judged outstanding overall by Ofsted, versus 15% nationally. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Our future plans are found in our Vision 2030 document available on our website.

As part of Leigh Academies Trust, you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.