Job Description
Please be aware that this role is based at the Cranbrook Campus
Are you a dynamic and dedicated Teaching Assistant looking to make a profound difference in young lives? Snowfields Academy is seeking an enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our growing Post 16 team at Pathfinder College in Cranbrook!
This isn't just a job—it's a chance to inspire, support, and empower students with special educational needs as they build crucial life skills and independence for their future. At Snowfields Academy, we believe every child deserves the chance to succeed, no matter the challenges they face. We are looking for a passionate, dedicated, and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our team—someone who truly cares about supporting young people with learning difficulties and helping them reach their full potential.
Why Join Pathfinder College?
- ✨ Make a Real Impact: Support young people with ASD both academically and in developing essential life skills.
- 🌱 Focused on Futures: At Pathfinder, our priority is to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for their next steps, whether into further study or employment. You'll help them increase independence, nurture new skills, and prepare for future careers.
- 🤝 Supportive Team: Join a welcoming and collaborative environment where every child is valued and celebrated.
- 🧠 Professional Growth: Fantastic opportunities for hands-on experience and development, perfect if you're considering a career in teaching or specialist support.
- 🏞️ Purpose-Built Setting: Work in a modern learning environment designed for students with ASD.
- Community Focused: Help students build confidence outside of college through travel training and community engagement (willingness to drive company vehicles is a plus!).
We're seeking a passionate, resilient, and enthusiastic individual who loves working with young people. Whether you have experience in schools, youth work, or voluntary roles, what matters most is your commitment to supporting students and embracing our vision for continuous improvement.
If you're ready to make a real impact and be part of something amazing within our Post 16 team, we'd love to hear from you!
This is a permanent position based on 31.63 hours per week (Monday to Friday, 9:15 AM - 4:00 PM with a 4:45 PM finish every other Wednesday), Term Time + 1 week of inset. This position offers an actual salary of £17,944 per annum (FTE £24,404).
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.
Working with us at Snowfields Academy
Snowfields Academy opened in September 2020 as a new secondary provision for students with ASD. When full we will offer 140 places across year groups 7-13 for young people who are working at or close to age-related expectations. Class sizes are small with 12/13 in each class, supported by 2-3 teaching assistants according to need. We offer a range of GCSEs and other qualifications for young people on a blend of academic and vocational pathways.
The academy benefits from being a brand new school with a design tailored to the students it provides for, carefully considered to make the most of both its inside and outside environments in order to enhance the learning of its students. The environment supports specialisms in horticulture and catering with a purpose-designed teaching kitchen, servery and cafe, and internal and external horticulture facilities supporting our students into employment. We will work closely with local businesses to offer an outstanding range of work experience opportunities and supported internships.
At Snowfields Academy we:
- Inspire and engage our children so they develop a lifelong love of learning, working towards the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme at Key Stage 3
- Deliver a quality, inclusive education so all children are able to achieve to their full potential
- Create a learning environment where barriers to learning are overcome and students feel safe and happy and are ready to learn
- Ensure that all children feel valued and celebrate their individuality and success at every opportunity
- Always work within a multi-disciplinary framework alongside families and other professionals
- Use personalised approaches to manage behaviour and reduce anxieties
- Ensure safeguarding, pastoral support and embedding British Values are at the heart of all we do
- Create a culture where staff work collaboratively as part of the wider team, sharing ideas and good practice and offering support to each other.
Being part of Leigh Academies Trust
As of 1st September 2024, our Trust comprises 33 geographically organised academies (17 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating more than 24,000 students and employing 4,000 talented staff. Currently, 16 of our academies are considered to be “Outstanding” which is 53% of those which have been inspected whilst part of the Trust. The Trust is establishing three ‘clusters’ of academies: LAT Central; LAT West; LAT North. 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.
Click here to view the benefits available to all LAT employees from day one.
Our commitment to safeguarding: 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. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
Our commitment to equality and diversity: 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.