THRIVE TEACHING ASSISTANT28 hours 20 minutes per week - term time only plus 2 additional daysB&NES Grade 3 (£16,604 per annum minimum starting salary)Required as soon as possible, a Teaching Assistant (THRIVE experience desirable) to join the SEND team, providing specialist in-class and group support for identified students on the SEND register.Buckler's Mead is a highly ambitious, successful secondary academy serving the east side of Yeovil, close to the Dorset border. Since September 2021, we have been part of the Midsomer Norton Schools' Partnership - a highly successful Multi Academy Trust, often considered the 'market leader' in the South West for school improvement.Having achieved the best results in the school's history in summer 2023, Buckler's Mead Academy is going from strength to strength.We seek to recruit a Teaching Assistant (THRIVE experience desirable) to work with the SENDCo and join our SEND team to organise, monitor and support the implementation of personalised learning provision for identified students on the SEND register. The ideal candidate will be outgoing, enthusiastic, energetic, resilient and patient, with experience of working with SEND students. You will be dedicated and passionate about supporting students with Special Educational Needs and able to work alongside teachers to support teaching and learning. The SEND team works closely together and it is therefore essential that you can build good relationships with others quickly and efficiently and can work well as part of a team.Duties of the role include:
Using the THRIVE approach to support students to access school and learning
Providing specialist in-class support to SEND students
Contributing to assessment through observation and recording of assessment data
Contributing to students' learning passports and THRIVE plans
Working with students who are not following the normal timetable, under guidance from the SENDCo
Sharing progress and observations with teaching staff to improve provision in the classroom
Proactively recording achievements and incidents on the academy's Class Charts and provision mapping system
Devising a range of either physical or creative activities to stimulate engagement
Selecting and adapting appropriate resources/methods to facilitate agreed learning activities
Invigilation for exams and tests
Supervision of individuals and/or groups of students throughout the day, eg in the playground and dining areas
The accompanying Job Description gives further information and background about THRIVE and further details of the knowledge, skills, experience and attributes which the successful candidate will possess.In return, we can offer the full support of a dedicated and committed team of staff, a supportive induction programme and ongoing professional development, plus the opportunity to work in a developing academy in a beautiful area of the South West. Staff benefits include free on-site parking, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and access for all staff to the Employee Assistance Programme “Health Assured” which is a telephone based advice, information and counselling service. A selection of meals, snacks (hot and cold) and drinks is available for staff to purchase from the refectory.We seek to significantly invest in developing all of our staff. This has been strengthened by our work with Trust partners and the successful candidate will benefit from trust wide opportunities, CPD and working with colleagues across trust schools. Our vision as an academy is “An Inspiring Education For All”. We believe that all members of our community should be given the opportunity to be happy, to achieve, participate and become successful. Our job as professionals is to ensure this happens. All our staff sign up to these aspirations and play a full role in contributing to this vision through inclusive teaching and support. We seek to recruit dedicated and talented staff, highly committed to making a difference.The academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to references and a full Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note that in line with 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' requirements we carry out social media checks on all shortlisted candidates.Buckler's Mead Academy is an equal opportunities employer. The campus is a no smoking site.If you think this could be the role for you, we would love to hear from you. Applications should be sent for the attention of Mr Mark Lawrence, Headteacher, and include details of your current experience and suitability for the role.Thank you for your interest. We look forward to receiving your application.CLOSING DATE: Monday 6 October 2025 (9.00 am)Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive sufficient applications.
