Job Description
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HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT HIGH SCHOOL
LITERACY & BELONGING TEACHING ASSISTANT
Pay Range: Local Government Scale 4
Actual Salary from: £16,301 - £16,561 (Points 7-8)
This post is: 27.5 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (Term Time plus non-pupil days)
Start Date: ASAP
The Role
We are seeking an outstanding individual to provide literacy support for disadvantaged students, and the school, in order to raise standards of achievement for all pupils, to encourage pupils to become independent learners, to ensure their safety and welfare and support the inclusion of pupils in all aspects of school life.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive an overwhelming response.
Some of your key responsibilities will include:
- To understand the individual needs of students by being fully aware of their One Plan or attendance challenges.
- To liaise with Pastoral Assistant Headteacher and classroom teachers, so that support is targeted so as to impact positively on progress and outcomes.
- To facilitate the narrative intervention programmes, update intervention records and inform the Assistant Headteacher about students' progress.
- To oversee one student at a time developing their belonging through 1:1 support to 'come back' to school.
(The full details can be found in the attached Job Outline and Person Specification).
We're looking for you if you have:
- Experience of working in a team
- GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths
- Is adaptable, receptive to new ideas and willing to adjust to new demands and circumstances
- Aware of information sources and how to get information needed
Why work for The Sigma Trust, Harwich and Dovercourt High School?
We can offer you:
- A Competitive Salary
- Robust school CPD training programme that enables you to flourish
- Opportunities to work with colleagues across the Trust to share resources, ideas and build collaborative relationships
Employee benefits include:
- Excellent pension scheme
- A Health Cash Plan
- Employee Assistance Programme providing free and confidential advice
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care plan
- Annual free flu vaccination
- Discounted gym membership at selected local gyms
- Discounted cinema tickets
- Eligible for Blue Light Card
Please note that an integration period applies to all new staff joining the Trust, to support introduction into the organisation.
Additional Information:
For additional information about the Trust and this school, please visit our website www.sigmatrust.org.uk
To Apply
To apply for this post, please follow the URL link provided below:
https://careers.sigmatrust.org.uk/Apply/U2lede9anbWEgQXBwbGljYXRpb24gRm9ybSBOb3ZlbWJlciAyMDIzfDQxfDcyNzA3M3wxfHxGYWxzZXwyMTIyfDQwODk3Njl8MA%3d%3d?i=HhpPmq7xD68%3d
Please note that only fully completed application forms will be accepted and any CV's and accompanying covering letters will be disregarded. A Notes for Applicants document is attached for further information.
- Closing date: Midnight Thursday 10th July 2025
- Shortlisting date: TBC
- Interviewing date: TBC
The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.
The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision 'To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts', where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.
Information about the School
About Harwich and Dovercourt High School
Harwich & Dovercourt High School is a co-educational secondary school aged 11–16 across the Harwich peninsula in Essex. The school converted to an academy in 2012 and later joined The Sigma Trust in 2017, placing its rich local history within a supportive framework of regional educational collaboration.
As part of the Sigma Trust family, we truly believe in 'Ambition for all.' Our school is a vibrant, forward-thinking place where we're dedicated to helping our young people be the absolute BEST they can be—empowering them academically, socially, and personally for a fulfilling future. Guided by strong values we support every student to tackle challenges and reach their full potential. We're on an exciting journey of rapid improvement with the backing of a respected multi-academy trust, making this a fantastic time to be part of our community.
Harwich and Dovercourt High School, as a member of The Sigma Trust, values and positively promotes the following attributes:
- Integrity – be honest, transparent, trustworthy and true to your beliefs.
- Passion – be positive and enthusiastic about what you are trying to achieve.
- Aspiration – aim for your best and set high, realistic goals.
- Resilience – never give up and strive to improve.
- Accountability – take responsibility for your words, thoughts and actions.
- Respect – for yourself, your environment and other people.
As a school we want the very best for our pupils. We have high expectations and endeavour to provide the very best opportunities for all students through established routines.
- Do you want to work in a school with fantastic young people and staff who work hard and have a great community spirit?
- Do you want to work in a school that prioritises evidence-based research when developing its curriculum?
- Do you want to work in a school with excellent, research led professional development opportunities for staff?
- Do you want to work in a school with a clear, systematic and centralised approach to student support, safeguarding, inclusion and behaviour?
- Do you want to work in a school which is part of a large yet locally based Trust, which opens up a whole myriad of possibilities?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then please consider Harwich and Dovercourt High School as a place to make your mark and develop your career.