Job Description

Job Purpose:

To support the education, life skills, and emotional wellbeing of students with autism and SEMH needs. You will work closely with teachers and therapists to deliver tailored, high-quality support that enables students to thrive both academically and personally. This is a vital, hands-on role within a small, nurturing, and purpose-driven school.

About Spark Vale Academy

Spark Vale Academy is a new independent specialist school dedicated to supporting young people aged 11-18 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We are part of the multi-award-winning Spark Academy group.

We are proud to be a

small school

, launching with

just three students

in September 2025, and a planned capacity of 45 (correct at the time of being published). This ensures

a low student-to-adult ratio

, highly personalised learning, and a healthier work-life balance for staff. At Spark Vale, your voice matters. You will be part of a collaborative and innovative team shaping the future of our provision.

Our Vision & Mission

At Spark Vale Academy, we are not just building a school; we are creating a

place where

everyone

can belong, grow and thrive

.

Our mission is create safe, inclusive spaces where every child, adult and family is supported to belong, grow and thrive. Through a therapeutic thinking approach, we prioritise emotional safety, strong relationships and personalised support for everyone in our community. We champion equity, celebrate strengths, and empower each individual to learn, heal and succeed in their own unique way.

Responsibilities

To do a morning duty as the students are arriving at school. Support students, as directed, in class and during small group or individual interventions. Set targets to support and review Individual Learning Plans (ILPs). Help students access the curriculum through adapted, differentiated and therapeutic approaches. Promote independence, confidence, and social-emotional skills. Support in managing student behaviour in line with our positive behaviour policy. Maintain accurate records of interventions and student progress. Collaborate with classroom teachers, therapists, and families to ensure consistent, holistic support. Contribute to the wider life of the school, including supervision duties and participation in school events and staff training. To attend meetings and reviews as necessary, making contact with parents as required. Assist with the preparation of learning materials and classroom organisation. To undertake any reasonable task at the request of the Headteacher. To comply with any reasonable requests from the lead classroom teacher to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in job description. The school will endeavour to make any necessary reasonable adjustments to the job and the working environment to enable access to employment opportunities for disabled job applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling condition. The list above explains the main duties and responsibilities of the post; it does not include each individual task.

Person Specification: Essential

Experience working with children or young people with additional needs. Must satisfy relevant pre-employment checks. GCSE (A-C) in English and Maths or equivalent.
Ability to build nurturing, professional relationships with pupils. Patience, empathy, and emotional resilience. Awareness of safeguarding practices and child protection procedures. Support students, as directed, in class and during small group or individual interventions. Awareness of National Curriculum and other learning programmes/techniques. Knowledge of the key factors that can affect the way pupils learn. Ability to apply knowledge and training confidently and competently into a practical classroom context. Reliability Flexible outlook and interpretation of the needs of the job. Ability to remain calm in challenging situations.

Person Specification: Desirable

Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification. Experience supporting students with autism and/or SEMH. First Aid qualification. Understanding of therapeutic approaches or trauma-informed practice. Willing to contribute to extra-curricular activities. Experience of working to support young people's learning.

Why Join Spark Vale Academy?

We are committed to providing a nurturing and supportive work environment where our staff can belong, grow and thrive. Benefits include:

Professional Development:

Access to training, CPD opportunities, and career progression within a growing school.

Small group teaching:

Make a meaningful interactions, tailored support with a higher staff to pupil ratio.

Supportive Work Culture:

A collaborative and inclusive team where staff wellbeing is prioritised.

Work-Life Balance:

A commitment to ensuring a positive work-life harmony. We finish earlier on Friday's and ensure all our work is completed in the day.

Pension Scheme:

Company NEST pension scheme.

Celebratory Staff Events:

Regular appreciation events and team-building activities.

Employee Referral Programme:

We believe in growing our team with like-minded, passionate individuals. Staff members who successfully refer a new teacher to join our school will receive a 250 referral bonus upon their successful appointment and completion of their probation period.

Safeguarding Commitment:

All referred candidates must go through our full

safer recruitment process

, including enhanced DBS checks, reference verification, and probation review. A referral does

not

guarantee appointment--hiring decisions will be based on suitability for the role and our rigorous selection criteria

Wellbeing & Mental Health Support:

We are in the process of developing a staff wellness and benefits programme, with initial initiatives such as regular wellbeing check-ins, mindfulness sessions, and access to mental health resources. Over time, we plan to introduce additional benefits, based on staff feedback to ensure our support aligns with their needs. We believe in co-creating our benefits package through staff input, ensuring it aligns with their priorities.

How to Apply

We follow a three-step application process to ensure we select the best candidates while upholding safer recruitment standards:

1. Initial Application (Pre-Screening Step): Submit your CV (including full employment history) and a covering letter, explaining:

Why you are interested in this role. How your experience and skills align with the position. Note: A CV alone will not be accepted as a formal application. Candidates

must

complete the full application form if shortlisted.

2. Formal Application Form & Shortlisting: If shortlisted, you will be invited to complete our full application form, which includes:

Comprehensive employment history (with no gaps unexplained). References (at least two, including one from your most recent employer). Declaration of any safeguarding concerns, disciplinary actions, or criminal history. Suitability to work with children confirmation. Important: At least one reference will be requested before the interview stage as part of our commitment to safeguarding. All application forms to be sent to office@sparkvaleacademy.co.uk

3. Interview & Pre-Employment Checks: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, which will include:

Competency-based questions related to working with SEN students. Safeguarding scenario-based questions to assess awareness and responses. Clarification of employment history or references (if needed).
If successful, a conditional offer will be made subject to the following checks:

Enhanced DBS clearance Reference verification (including safeguarding checks) Right-to-work in the UK verification Prohibition from Teaching Check (where applicable)

Safeguarding

Spark Vale Academy is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of the children and young people we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including criminal records and vetting checks.

All successful applicants will undergo employment reference checks and a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note, this role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and amendments to the

Exceptions Order 1975

, 2013, and 2020. This exemption means that shortlisted applicants for this post will be required to declare all criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, and bind- overs both spent and unspent in their application, before interview and regardless of the passage of time.

Equal Opportunities

Spark Vale Academy is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment in service to one another, our students and our communities. We do all of this with kindness, empathy and respect for each other so that everyone can belong, grow and thrive.

Job Type: Permanent

Pay: 97.68-105.00 per day

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount Referral programme
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: TAAUG25SVA
Expected start date: 26/08/2025