Apprentice Teaching Assistant

Fixed Term Contract for 18 months or earlier if apprenticeship is completed.
Required to start September 2026.

The Governors are seeking to employ a dynamic and enthusiastic Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprentice to enhance the care and support in our school, who is keen to develop knowledge of students with a high level of need.

Villa Real School is an all age 2 to 19 years Special School with pupils with SLD, PMLD and Autism.

Villa Real is a truly wonderful place to work. It is a special place to visit and provides the children and families it supports great opportunities. Our children are taught via a bespoke curriculum that meets their needs.

We offer a happy, caring and stimulating environment, where everybody is welcomed and respected. Our ethos and core values support this model and are lived out in the daily work of the school and within the community.

Our ambition, and yours, will be that Villa Real will continue to
be a centre of excellence for promoting the latest inclusive practices within education; locally, regionally and nationally. Our pupils deserve an education that will change their lives and give them the opportunity to fulfil their full potential, and in turn the special candidate will enjoy a fulfilling career, releasing your potential and maximising your impact in a forward thinking and innovative ethos.

The responsibilities of the post are to be carried out in keeping with the ethos of the school and within the agreed school policies and aims. The education, safety and all round wellbeing of the pupils and students is the reason for the existence of Villa Real School.

This job may require exposure to some difficult working conditions. For example, being in contact with bodily fluids or exposure to children who may exhibit challenging behaviours. (We also have a small but significant group of children with complex and/or life threatening medical conditions).

Training in manual handling, positioning, eating and feeding, health and safety, team teach, behaviour management, hydrotherapy and Safeguarding (child protection) is part of the school training package. Support is provided until the post holder is able to carry out the routines as part the team.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Support for Pupils, Teachers and the Curriculum:
•         Work as part of a multi-professional team to meet the needs of pupils and students attending Villa Real School
•         Behave in a professional way at all times in keeping with the vision and ethos of the school.
•         Work with individuals or groups of pupils carrying out educational programmes, as directed by the teacher
•         Make contributions to assessments, reviews and discussions on pupil’s achievements and developments
•         Support with eating and feeding programmes, communication targets, moving and handling plans, medical management plans, behaviour management plans and toilet training programmes as directed by the teacher
•         During breaks, supervise pupils
•         Take a full part in both school based and externally provided professional development
•         Work in any department of the school when necessary and as directed by the Senior Management Team
•         Carry out other duties or responsibilities as required by the Head Teacher which contribute to the smooth running of the classroom or the school as a whole.

All applications must be completed on the support staff application form listed in the supporting documents of this advert. Appointment is subject to our partner colleges accepting you as a student, this will be discussed further if you are successful in securing this position.

This post is not open to job share.

Calculation of term time only plus two weeks’ pay

Term time only plus two additional weeks’ pay is calculated on the basis of the following:
• Number of ‘teaching’ weeks – 38 weeks; plus
• Public (bank) holidays – 1.6 weeks (8 days); plus
• Two additional weeks, inclusive of CPD – 2 weeks; plus
• Individual leave entitlement - 5.4 weeks (27 days) or 6.4 weeks (32 days)
Individual leave entitlement is calculated on the length of continuous service. Employees with less than 5 years’ service will receive 27 days annual leave. Employees with more than 5 years’ service will receive 32 days annual leave. For example:

Calculation for employees with less than 5 years’ service:
40 weeks (term time plus 2) + 27 days (annual leave) + 8 days (public holidays) = 47 weeks’ pay, to be paid in 12 equal monthly instalments

Calculation for employees with more than 5 years’ service:
40 weeks (term time plus 2) + 32 days (annual leave) + 8 days (public holidays) = 48 weeks’ pay, to be paid in 12 equal monthly instalments.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and, if successful, you will need to apply for an enhanced DBS disclosure.

As a disability confident employer, we are committed to employing disabled people and people with health conditions making reasonable adjustments to support disabled applicants when required.

Closing date for applications: Friday 17th July 9am
Interview date: Interviews w/c 20th July

Villa Real School
Villa Real Road, Consett, Co Durham, DH8 6BH

Tel: View phone number on northeastjobs.org.uk
Email: View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk