This is a really exciting phase in our Academy’s development, as we have been developing Restorative Practice for some time and have an excellent reputation for support with students who find mainstream lessons challenging.  You will be working alongside teachers and support staff in our Academy, including working alongside experienced teachers and members of the Academy’s Senior Leadership Team and staff who have experience in this area. You will be able to have a valuable input in helping us to establish the provision within this new resource base. This is a fantastic opportunity for up to two candidates, to be at the forefront of this new development and to shape the future of short-term internal provision at the Academy. We are a fully inclusive school and enjoy the challenge of meeting the needs of every child in a unique way as can be seen from our progress for our students whatever their starting points.

If you are an energetic, enthusiastic and resilient person with a professional and optimistic outlook, we would be delighted to hear from you.  You will ideally be a (L3) teaching assistant  - experience in related areas such as SEND / AP / core subjects would be advantageous), with experience of working with challenging students and possess the ability to genuinely inspire our children, ensuring they make good progress and enjoy learning. Specialisms in supporting students to excel at any key stage, but ideally Y6 and/or KS3-4 would be an advantage, but you will also be able to access some excellent CPD opportunities and training as we establish this provision in the new year.

Joseph Leckie Academy is a vibrant, exciting and innovative mixed 11-18 Converter Academy with a positive Progress 8 score for the past 5 years. With our excellent results and our continual desire and drive to continue moving forward, this is an exciting time for you to join our team. The Academy is regularly one of top non-selective secondary schools for progress in Walsall and is one of the highest performing secondary schools in the region.

In our last Ofsted inspection in 2021, we were judged to be good in all categories and for overall effectiveness with some excellent feedback across all subjects and our Pastoral Care.

We pride ourselves on our high expectations of all learners. This creates a calm learning environment where teachers can teach and students can learn as was clearly supported by the feedback from Ofsted. We offer a highly supportive environment and are committed to ensuring outstanding teaching, behaviour, progress and achievement. Staff are proud to work in our Academy.

We are an expanding Academy with numbers growing, now well over 1500 and continuing to be over- subscribed at Key stage 3 and in our large Sixth form, so this is an ideal opportunity and an exciting time for you to join our team as we continue to expand and grow and there will excellent opportunities for you and this role to grow and develop further.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an outstanding candidate to join our dynamic team at the forefront of change and to make a real difference to our drive to continue to develop this unique provision as well as contributing to raising standards across the Academy.   If you believe that you have the skills and abilities to take on this role, we would love to hear from you.

Experience of working with primary/secondary age students and supporting subject knowledge in a variety of subjects as a TA would be an advantage. The successful candidate may be asked to work with students across different years groups and support them with varied behaviour strategies, support them in their learning or work within other areas as needed by the Academy.

We can offer you:

• Friendly and supportive staff across the Academy. Staff stay here for a number of years and say it is a great place to work. Ex-students often come back to work in the academy, so please come along and visit us find out what they say.
• Excellent support and professional development opportunities and pathways for progression, for example our own in-house CPD programmes for different levels as well as external programmes
• Excellent pastoral systems and expertise to support positive behaviours.
• A well established and supportive Induction programme for all staff at all levels which TAs are welcome to join.
• A well-established, experienced and dedicated SEND, pastoral and senior leadership team.
• A well resourced and staffed Pastoral / SEND team.
• Opportunities to shadow other colleagues, learning from the best;
• Supportive, fun, dedicated, creative and talented colleagues across the Academy and a high focus on pastoral care and inclusion.
• A high focus on staff well-being with staff social events, staff sports, multi-gym, well-being counsellor, Academy nurse,  well-being co-ordinator for staff, half termly breakfasts, staff social events, employee assistance programme and much more…
• A large and expanding Academy at the forefront of change and growth, with high standards and an ambitious desire to better the lives of our students and impact further on our wider community.
• The opportunity to be at the forefront of change in this new provision/initiative and make a real difference to the lives of children.

You will have:

• Practical skills and expertise as outlined in the Job description including (ideally) the Level 3 TA qualification and/or Level 3 experience – or other relevant experience that would support outstanding behaviour and inclusion practices.
• Have at least 5 GCSE’s including both English and Maths at Level 4 (Grade C) or above
• Experience of supporting students one-to one and/or small groups independently with accessing the curriculum, and with behaviour, emotional and well-being activities and programmes.
• A passion and vision for inclusive provision for SEND / SEMH students and the importance of this provision to students and their futures.
• Resilience and an understanding of the positive relationships required to affect change with young people.
• A commitment and dedication for working with students in their personal, social and emotional needs as well as their academic development.
• A belief that ‘every day, in every way, everyone matters’ and that ‘Every Day is a New Day.’
• A courageous and innovative approach and be someone who is not afraid to try something new and learn from that.
• A reflective and adaptable approach and be able to tailor your practice in response to children’s changing needs.
• The ability to motivate and inspire students whatever their starting point and to help them overcome the barriers to learning.
• The ability to stimulate curiosity, interest and enjoyment in learning.
• Confidence in dealing with students across different age ranges particularly Key Stage 3.
• Creative skills and a professional approach.
• High expectations of students.
• The determination to support in raising student achievement within the classroom and beyond.
• The passion to enrich the lives of our students and contribute to the development of Cultural Capital to enhance the life opportunities for our students.
• Team skills and the ability to work independently with a group of students or on a one to one basis when needed.
• Outstanding inter-personal and communication skills with students, colleagues and parents.
• A clear understanding of the importance of Safeguarding.

Further details and an application form can be obtained from our website or please speak to Mrs A Morgan.

Joseph Leckie Academy - Vacancies

Closing date for applications: Monday 2^nd December 2024 at 8.00am

Please send completed applications to: recruitment@josephlekieacademy.co.uk

Joseph Leckie Academy is committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students and candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.