Role: Advanced Teaching Assistant / ELSA

Academy: Outwood Academy Freeston

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary (Actual Salary): £19,588 to £20,497

Working Pattern: 30 Hours Per Week, Term Time only plus 5 days

Are you a highly skilled and adaptable professional ready to take on a complex role supporting student achievement across all learning platforms? Join us as an Advanced Teaching Assistant, crucial in delivering targeted interventions and high-quality learning activities to individuals and small groups, both physically and online. This is an opportunity for an experienced individual to monitor progress, implement statutory development plans, and support diverse student needs, including those with SEND, EAL, and gifted/talented status.

We are passionate about supporting our young people to succeed both academically and personally and are looking to appoint an Advanced Teaching Assistant with additional responsibility for providing Emotional Literacy Support (ELSA) to pupils on a 1:1 and small group basis. Your expertise will support pupils with social, emotional and additional learning needs, helping them to build resilience, confidence and the key skills they need to succeed.

Previous ELSA training or experience in delivering emotional literacy support is highly desirable or a willingness to undergo training is required.

The successful candidate will:

Ideally have experience delivering targeted 1:1 and small group Emotional Literacy Support
Demonstrate strong classroom practice and the ability to support the class teacher
Show evidence of relevant professional development and training
Display strong personal organisation, initiative, enthusiasm and a nurturing approach
Be flexible, adaptable and a strong team player

Welcome from the Principal - Freeston

I am very excited to introduce you to Outwood Academy Freeston, where you will receive a family-centered, warm, and positive welcome. Our academy is located conveniently in the heart of Normanton, one of the five towns of Wakefield.

As a family, we support and challenge ourselves to be the very best for every young person in our care, preparing them to be excellent citizens with the options to pursue any future they choose.

Our roots are important: we are privileged to be supported by The Normanton Freeston Foundation, which provides financial support to help our academy and students thrive—a legacy dating back to 1594.

We are proud to be part of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust, passionately sharing the belief in raising standards and transforming lives. Our staff is committed to making a positive, sustained difference for our students, their families, and our community.

We look forward to meeting you and sharing our passionate vision. If you share this commitment, please get in touch.

To view the Support Staff recruitment booklet, Click Here

If you have any questions or would like to visit the school, please contact Lisa habgood at L.habgood@freeston.outwood.com

You will deliver planned learning activities and intervention programmes to small groups or individuals in various environments, adjusting delivery based on student responses. A crucial element is involvement in assessing, monitoring, and recording student development and attainment via appropriate ICT systems, especially tracking the impact of interventions.

The role requires supporting students with special educational needs (SEN) and those for whom English is not their first language. Duties also include providing short-term cover for learning environments, supporting the implementation of individual development plans (like EHCPs), managing resources, and invigilating exams.

To view the job description please click here.

Candidates must hold a Level 3 qualification relating to working with children and young people. Essential experience includes working flexibly to meet business needs, working in a school setting or with children/young people, and previous experience supporting students in small group or one-to-one situations.

You must be skilled in delivering interventions and highly proficient in a range of educational ICT packages, such as SIMS, o'Cloud, and Praising Stars. Effective communication, confidentiality, and the ability to relate empathetically to students and recognise potential safeguarding concerns are also necessary.

To view the person specification please click here.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) places staff development at the heart of its strategy to deliver excellence, aiming to recruit, develop, and retain the best staff through the Outwood Institute of Education (OIE).

What will we do for you?

We offer a supportive package focusing on professional advancement, secure benefits, and work-life balance:

Secure Pay & Pension: Competitive salary, automatic pay progression, and enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Training & Progression: Access to diverse CPD opportunities, including apprenticeships and vocational qualifications.
Flexibility & Leave: Flexible family policies, enhanced occupational benefits (with no qualifying period), and 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays for non-term time staff. (Holiday for part-time staff is calculated on a pro-rata basis)
Wellbeing & Perks: Dedicated mental well-being strategy, free on-site parking, employee discounts, and access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.

If you are looking for a rewarding, supportive role where you can truly make an impact, we encourage you to apply now.

Further Information on employee benefits can be found Click Here
To find our more about working for Outwood and to read a message from our CEO please Click Here

Note: If applying from an external job board, please click 'Apply' to access the working links on the Outwood Careers page

Please note, we reserve the right to close advertisements early, either on the advertised closing date, or sooner if required.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.