Teaching Assistant

Join Our Team as a Teaching Assistant (Secondary)

Contract: Full-Time, Term Time Only
Salary: £21,257 - £23,232.69
Benefits: Company Pension, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme
Location: Headingley, Leeds
Start Date: April 2026

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people? At Ormston School in Leeds, we’re looking for passionate Teaching Assistants to join our vibrant community starting April 2026. Here, you’ll have the chance to grow your career while helping students thrive!

About Us

Located in the heart of Headingley, Leeds, our school provides a safe and nurturing environment for pupils aged 5 to 18. With significant investment and a wealth of new resources, you’ll play a key role in shaping a supportive atmosphere that fosters self-discipline, engagement, and a love for learning.

As part of the Polaris Community, we’ve been dedicated to enhancing the lives of young people for over 30 years. With over 15 SEN schools across the UK, we collaborate to offer tailored, diverse education in a safe environment. We’re proud to say that 100% of our inspected services have been rated as Good or Outstanding by Ofsted!

Your Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Mentor and support one pupil or a small group of no more than six pupils.
• Assist the classroom teacher during lessons.
• Monitor and report on pupils' progress, collaborating with staff to meet their needs.
• Supervise pupils during non-classroom activities, including extracurricular events and school trips.
• Help with lesson planning and classroom preparation.
• Set and mark work as appropriate.
• Build positive relationships with pupils to drive engagement and learning outcomes.

What We’re Looking For

To thrive in this role, you should have:

• A strong educational background, ideally to A-level, with at least GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English Language and Mathematics, along with solid IT skills.
• Previous experience as a Teaching Assistant or in a similar role.
• Experience working with pupils with SEMH in an educational setting.
• Confidence to take on additional responsibilities, such as Food Hygiene, Forest School, Lunchtimes, or School Yoga.
• Knowledge of behavior management techniques.
• A commitment to professional development and a willingness to learn.
• Willingness to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check prior to starting work.

What We Offer You

At Ormston School, we value the emotional health and wellbeing of our staff. Here’s what you can expect:

• A supportive workplace that prioritizes your wellbeing.
• Opportunities for professional growth and skill development.
• The chance to make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable children who deserve high-quality education.
• A friendly, inclusive team dedicated to improving pupil outcomes.

The successful candidate will need to complete an enhanced DBS Check, with the cost covered by Polaris Community.

We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates. Polaris Community is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment.