Leigh Academy Milestone

The many benefits of joining Leigh Academy Milestone include:

• free 24/7 access to a GP


• extensive CPD to support you in your career journey


• access to join the CSSC Sports and Leisure scheme


• working with a fantastic and supportive team!


Are you looking for a job where each day is different, filled with experiences that are both challenging, fun and fulfilling? A role where you go home with a sense of achievement knowing that you and your team have made a difference every day to the wonderful young people in your care? Where you can choose a career pathway that suits your personal circumstances and professional ambitions? Where you can shine and achieve your very best with like minded people who genuinely care and work as a team? If you are, then please read on!

We are looking to appoint committed and enthusiastic Teaching Assistants to join and support our wider SEN teams at Leigh Academy Milestone in New Ash Green and/or across our provisions at Wilmington Academy, The Leigh Academy, Dartford Primary Academy and Cherry Orchard Primary Academy. This role is ideal for those who genuinely have a passion for helping children, particularly with learning difficulties, and also a fantastic opportunity for those considering a career in Teaching to gain valuable first-hand experience. Due to the complex needs of the pupils, the role includes supporting personal care and the medical needs of pupils including administering medication, undertaking moving and handling procedures and supporting pupils who may be displaying physically challenging behaviour. The role also involves supporting pupils during physical activities such as swimming, PE and physical outdoor activities such as Forest School, community visits and work experience. Candidates who are
appointed will receive full support and training from colleagues and teachers.

The main aim of this role is to support our teachers to deliver academic excellence, day in, day out, with professionalism and enthusiasm.

What are we looking for in you? Applicants will have previous experience of working with young people, either in an academic setting or as a voluntary worker. You will be educated to GCSE level (or equivalent) in English and maths. You will be committed to personal learning and development, and have a sincere commitment to sharing our long-term aims and drive for continuous improvement. In return, we will offer you a professional and supportive team, a state of the art working environment and a genuine opportunity to develop., As a Trust we feel it is important to hire for the right attitude which is why we look for support assistants that are enthusiastic, focused and resilient to the day to day pressures that the classroom brings.

Hear from a previous Teaching Assistant of ours: "I started my career at Milestone Academy 10 years ago as a Teaching Assistant. Supporting students with a range of learning styles alongside completing professional development courses at Milestone Academy allowed me to gain the skills and confidence to begin my career in teaching. Milestone Academy has supported my journey through gaining a degree, leading onto my current position completing my teacher training to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). There are ample opportunities for career progression at Milestone Academy and the support received from all colleagues and senior leadership has been integral. The staff at Milestone Academy are so supportive of one another and the whole staff community is focused on the best possible outcomes for our students."

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'. Working for Leigh Academy Milestone: Leigh Academy Milestone is a large special school for pupils with Profound, Severe and Complex needs, across five sites and is part of Leigh Academies Trust. We currently have 385 pupils on roll aged between the ages of 2 and 19. Leigh Academy Milestone has been judged as Outstanding by Ofsted at our last three inspections.

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st April 2024, our Trust comprises 32 geographically organised academies (16 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating more than 20,000 students and employing 3,000 talented staff. Nearly 40% of our academies are judged outstanding overall by Ofsted, versus 15% nationally. The Trust is establishing four 'clusters' of academies: North Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. 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.

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.

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. Please note, interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

The basis of the role is permanent, 31.75 hours per week (8.45am - 3.30pm and until 4:30pm on alternate Tuesdays), Term Time + 1 week inset and offers an actual salary of £16,764 - £18,296 per annum (£22,714 - £24,789 full time equivalent), based on experience.