Job Description

Leigh Academy Bearsted has an exceptional opportunity for a committed, enthusiastic and passionate

Teaching Assistant

to join us from September 2025. Becoming a member of the Leigh Academy Bearsted team will enable you to work with like-minded colleagues who share your goals and ambitions. You will be part of a team that provides an outstanding education for all of our pupils through creative, carefully sequenced and highly effective inquiry led learning, where all learners are at the very core of driving our curriculum.


The successful candidate will need to have relevant experience and/or qualifications in working with primary-aged children, as this is where the role sits. We are also looking for proven high standards of both spoken and written English and Mathematics. Being able to communicate effectively with children and adults is essential, together with a friendly and approachable manner. Our newly appointed Teaching Assistant will be able to work using their own initiative and demonstrate effective behaviour management skills. In return, they will join a supportive environment with plenty of development opportunities within the academy and across the wider Trust.


Please note that interviews for this position are planned for

Monday, July 21, 2025

, but strong applications may be considered sooner. We encourage early applications to avoid missing this opportunity.

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We are particularly looking for someone who:

is dedicated to the job and prioritises the needs of the children in their care; has experience of working within EYFS/KS1/KS2; is resilient and solution-focused; is committed to working as part of a team with everyone.
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In return, we can offer:

An inspiring and supportive staff team committed to providing a good level of education for every pupil. An excellent offer of continuing professional development for all staff. An exciting and creative learning setting where everyone is listened to and there is a very strong teamwork ethic. Many wider career opportunities through the Leigh Academies Trust.

This is a fixed term position for one year offering an actual salary of 18,437 per annum (24,404 full time equivalent) based on 32.5 hours per week, Term Time + 1 week of inset.


Do you know a great Teaching Assistant who would like to hear about opportunities with Leigh Academies Trust? If so, make a referral today for the chance to receive 100 as a 'thank you'. Simply complete the referral form by clicking here. T&C's apply.

Working with us at Leigh Academy Bearsted

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Following their visit in January 2023, Ofsted judged Leigh Academy Bearsted to be outstanding stating that:

"It is an exceptional school in every way."

"A key strength of the school is the ongoing professional development that staff can access. This is delivered internally by school leaders or through curriculum experts from the multi-academy trust."

"The curriculum is bespoke and ambitious."

"The school's Nursery and Reception Years are also beacons of excellence because of the energy, dedication and expertise of leaders and staff."

Leigh Academy Bearsted:

Leigh Academy Bearsted opened in September 2020 and welcomed its first cohort of Reception children of up to 60 pupils, two classes of 30 in each. Currently, the academy has Nursery, Reception and Years 1-6. Every year we will continue to grow our academy until we reach full capacity of 420 pupils across Years R - 6 and 24 pupils in Nursery.


A broad and balanced curriculum is at the heart of an aspirational and successful academy. To enhance our curriculum delivery, we are an authorised World School for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). This is an inquiry led framework that complements the National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage, fostering independent learners who continue to thrive. Surrounded by talented, dedicated practitioners, we aim to deliver pupils engaging and challenging experiences and opportunities within their education, which are both enjoyable and develop a thirst for learning. In doing this, we look to provide the highest quality learning experiences for every child throughout their whole day at the academy.


We are committed to providing an education and environment where children feel safe and cared for, take risks and embrace learning, experience a sense of pride in all that they achieve and, where children develop social, emotional and academic skills preparing them for a bright future.


Leigh Academy Bearsted focuses on the development of the whole child, both in and outside of the classroom, with an emphasis on inquiry-led learning, encouraging our pupils to challenge, question and take ownership of their learning. In order to achieve this, we believe in the importance of building strong partnerships between the adults and pupils in our academy, ensuring all learners succeed and benefit from the relationships formed within a caring and encouraging environment. This approach to learning and development is continued in our Wrap Around Care.


Therefore, to be a successful candidate you need to be passionate, dedicated, reflective, proactive and caring. We are looking for someone who has good communication skills and is flexible in their approach when supporting children and working alongside other colleagues. You will be expected to complete key training as deemed appropriate to the role. As a Trust, we know it is important to be positive, inspirational and a real team player.

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust

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As of 1st September 2024, our Trust comprises 33 geographically organised academies (17 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating more than 24,000 students and employing 4,000 talented staff. Currently, 16 of our academies are considered to be "Outstanding" which is 53% of those which have been inspected whilst part of the Trust. The Trust is establishing three 'clusters' of academies: LAT Central; LAT West; LAT North. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region's biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider.

Our future plans are found in our Vision 2030 document available on our website

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As part of Leigh Academies Trust, you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Click here to view the benefits available to all LAT employees from day one.

Our commitment to safeguarding

: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Our commitment to equality and diversity

: As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.

Not quite the opportunity for you, but would like to stay in touch? Join our Talent Network by

clicking here

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