Job Description

Heybridge Co-operative Academy is a Pupil Referral Unit, part of the Keys Co-operative Academy Trust. Our Alternative Provision Academy educates vulnerable children from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 4 referred from schools across Essex mid areas. We would like to appoint an enthusiastic teaching assistant to join our committed and caring team across our Academy centres (please read the job description available below). Many of the young people who attend our provision arrive here at a point of crisis or conflict in their lives. It is our aim to ensure that we help them to regain a sense of confidence and self-esteem which allows them to compete on equal terms with their peers, despite the disruption to their education caused by leaving mainstream school.

This post is 22 hours a week, term time only at Scale 5 Pt 8-11. The actual salary will be between £10,582 and £11,230 per annum (based on 22 hours per week, 39 working weeks, paid weeks 44.5).

The hours will be:

Monday to Thursday 9.30-2.00
Friday 10.00-2.00

The successfulcandidate will be requiredto support the learning that goes on within the classroom, directed by the class teacher as well as delivering intervention programmes. There may be the opportunityto work with post 16 pupils in a mentoring role, supporting them in their chosen onward plan.

Keys Co-operative Academy Trust is committed to safer recruitment practices and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, medical clearance and satisfactory references.

Information about the School

Mid Essex Co-operative Academy is an 4 – 16 school for 135 young people most of whom have found it difficult to be successful in a mainstream school.

We are very proud of the provision we offer. Students are taught in small groups and they study the core curriculum at both Key Stage 3 and 4. In addition to the core curriculum, we provide rich and varied extended curriculum opportunities ranging from music therapy, targeted literacy intervention, horse riding to vocational courses and work experience placements. Small classes benefit students and enable them to make good progress as staff can ensure that learning is tailored to individual student needs.

At Key Stage 3, in partnership with local schools, we focus on supporting young people to return to a mainstream school. At Key Stage 4, we focus on providing the opportunity for students to gain 5 GCSEs to ensure a successful transition to post 16 education or training. Many of the young people who attend Mid Essex Co-operative Academy arrive here at a point of crisis or conflict in their lives. It is our aim to ensure that we help them to regain a sense of confidence and self-esteem which allows them to compete on equal terms with their peers, despite the disruption to their education caused by leaving mainstream school. We have an ongoing target that none of our Year 11 leavers are NEET (Not in education, employment or training) and we regularly maintain this excellent target.

The Primary unit for Key Stage 1 and 2 students is located in Witham. The school opened in January 2021. As with the secondary unit, this serves young people, most of whom have found it difficult to be successful in a mainstream school. We are very proud of the provision we offer. Students are taught in small groups and they study the core curriculum. In addition to the core curriculum, we provide rich and varied extended curriculum opportunities ranging from music therapy, targeted literacy intervention, horse riding to vocational courses and work experience placements. Small classes benefit students and enable them to make good progress as staff can ensure that learning is tailored to individual student needs.