Job Description
Working Pattern: Term time only (38 weeks) 32.5 hours per week
Actual Starting Salary (calculated pro rata): £25,583 (including SEN Allowance)+ Fringe Allowance £726
Salaries are paid in 12 equal monthly instalments
Desmond Anderson Primary Academy is seeking two dedicated SEN Teaching Assistants to join our Specialist Unit. These roles may include providing 1:1 support for children with additional needs, as well as working closely with parents, class teachers, and other colleagues to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Are you calm, confident and committed to helping every child succeed? Can you contribute to a positive learning environment and support classroom activities effectively and safely?
We are looking for candidates who have:
- Experience of building positive relationships with students and showing empathy for their needs (desirable)
- Knowledge and understanding of supporting children with SEN
- Maths and English GCSE Grade A- C or equivalent
- Confidence in supervising children during both indoor and outdoor activities
- A patient, calm and enthusiastic approach to supporting learning
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a supportive school community, we would love to hear from you.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Desmond Anderson Primary Academy
Desmond Anderson Academy takes pride in its engaging curriculum, carefully crafted to cater to the needs of every child, instilling a genuine love for learning. Our approach emphasises close collaboration within our community, working closely with parents and carers to ensure each child's success.
Catering to children from Reception to Year 6, our academy is enriched by the presence of a Special Support Centre and a Nursery, offering comprehensive support and opportunities for all ages. At Desmond Anderson, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where every child can thrive academically and socially.
We are an expanding school, which now has a published admissions number of 60 and will have a total capacity of 430 pupils.
Visit us: Home - Desmond Anderson Primary Academy
We truly value the experience, dedication, and commitment of all our employees and believe in the power of motivated and happy staff. This is why we seek to enrich and reward our employees wherever we can, by offering a wide range of exciting and useful employee benefits. These include:
- Automatic annual pay increments: Pay progression is not linked to performance and all our staff benefit from automatic pay progression (subject to the maximum salary for the role). Cost of living awards are also reviewed annually.
- Generous Pension: Safeguard your future with financial security throughout your retirement. Employer contribution rate of 22.7%.
- Holiday Entitlement: Take advantage of 25 days annual leave per annum (FTE), plus statutory Bank Holidays.
- Health and Wellbeing: A strong commitment to your health and wellbeing including; onsite Wellbeing Champions, designated Mental Health Ambassadors and an annual day devoted to your health and wellbeing. This day provides the opportunity to spend valuable time catching up with colleagues, as well as some ‘Time for You’ to do whatever most enhances your wellbeing.
- Personal Development Day: One day annually dedicated to your personal development which could include volunteering, training or a seminar (self-funded).
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to free and confidential counselling services, providing support for both work and personal issues.
- Cycle to Work: Build exercise into your commute, with our cycle-to-work programme, offering a £2K loan to purchase a bicycle.
- Retail Discount: Savings with hundreds of retailers including gym, private medical, dental and online GP service, as well as eligibility for the Blue Light Discount Scheme.
Our commitment
We are 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 an enhanced DBS check. This role is considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013, 2020 and 2023. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Further information is available here: Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
We welcome applications from all members of the community.
The Trust is proud to be part of the government’s Disability Confident scheme which underpins our staff and volunteer recruitment practices. If you would like any support or assistant at any stage of the recruitment process please let us know, by contacting us by email to recruitment@brightonacademiestrust.org.uk or by telephone to Emma Richings 01424 905 306.
Find out more
For further information about this opportunity please download the attached job description and personal specification, and view our candidate pack here: Candidate Pack
To arrange a visit or to have an informal discussion about this role please contact office@desmondandersonprimaryacademy.org.uk
Key dates
Closing date: 30 September 2025
Interview date: 6 October 2025
Proposed start date: ASAP
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A helpful guide to completing your application is available here: Guidance on your application