Teaching Assistant

Competitive salary with progression opportunities + Local Government Pension Scheme + 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service + collaborative MAT network + additional LAT benefits.

Leigh Academy Milestone is looking for passionate and dedicated Teaching Assistants to join our special educational needs (SEN) team. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in supporting children with learning difficulties or considering a career in teaching.

Working at Leigh Academy Milestone means you'll be part of a fantastic and supportive team where every day is unique, challenging, and rewarding. You'll get to experience a sense of achievement knowing you've made a difference to young people. You’ll be involved in a variety of activities, from assisting with personal care and medical needs to supporting students in swimming, PE, and outdoor activities like Forest School. Full training and support will be provided, and you’ll be part of a fantastic team.

We're also committed to your well-being and professional growth. As part of our team, you'll have 24/7 access to a free GP, as well as extensive professional development to support your career journey. You'll also have the opportunity to join the CSSC Sports and Leisure scheme.

This permanent role is 31.75 hours per week (term time + 1 week inset) with a salary of £19,202 - £20,479 per annum.

Applicants should have GCSEs in English and maths and experience working with young people. Enthusiasm, focus, and resilience are key! To stand out, make sure your personal statement uniquely reflects your own experiences and authentic voice. Join us and start your journey with a team that’s committed to excellence.

Hear from a previous Teaching Assistant of ours: "I started my career at Milestone Academy 10 years ago as a Teaching Assistant. Supporting students with a range of learning styles alongside completing professional development courses at Milestone Academy allowed me to gain the skills and confidence to begin my career in teaching. Milestone Academy has supported my journey through gaining a degree, leading onto my current position completing my teacher training to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). There are ample opportunities for career progression at Milestone Academy and the support received from all colleagues and senior leadership has been integral. The staff at Milestone Academy are so supportive of one another and the whole staff community is focused on the best possible outcomes for our students."

Working with us at Leigh Academy Milestone

Leigh Academy Milestone is a large special school for pupils with Profound, Severe and Complex needs, across five sites and is part of Leigh Academies Trust. We currently have 385 pupils on roll aged between the ages of 3 and 19. Leigh Academy Milestone has been judged as Outstanding by Ofsted at our last four inspections! Click here to view our website and learn more about Leigh Academy Milestone.

Applying for this Opportunity

Thank you for your interest in joining us. If you’d like to find out more about this role or arrange a visit to the academy, please don’t hesitate to contact Charlotte Herberts (Recruitment Advisor): [email protected] / 01634 412 245.

To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack by clicking here, which outlines the full role responsibilities and person specification. This will guide you in preparing a strong application and understanding what we’re looking for.

Early applications are encouraged, as we reserve the right to interview before the closing date. All applications must be submitted through our online application form prior to the deadline.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity

Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role involves regulated activity relevant to children, and it is a criminal offence for anyone barred from engaging in regulated activity with children to apply for this position.

We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates, and you can read more about our approach on our Careers site. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role, regardless of any protected characteristics, which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices, and not discriminating on any grounds.