Key Role Information

Salary
£26,403.00 - £27,254.00 (actual salary £22,950 - £23,690)
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
02/04/2026 09:00
Interview
Shortly after closing date
Contract term
TTO Plus - Term time only plus weeks
Pay grade
Support Staff | 7 - 9
Department
Learning Support
Key stage
Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4
Hours per week
37.00
Weeks per year
38.600
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

First and foremost, we are looking for someone has a passion for working with young people and supporting those who have additional needs. The SEND department is on an exciting journey as it grows considerably over the next couple of years alongside the school’s expansion. This is your chance to be part of a team of specialists and to shape the vision of the department. We are developing a strong team of practitioners at Great Park Academy who are able to be versatile and are keen to be involved in many and varied aspects of school life; particularly during the coming years while the school is growing. You will be an important part of our growing school and will be a consummate professional, practical and ‘hands-on’; able to enthuse and motivate colleagues and students alike. 

This is a unique chance for someone looking to develop in an educational setting within a highly successful and supportive school and multi academy trust, backed up by excellent resources and facilities.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

  • An outstanding practitioner with a passion for supporting young people
  • A commitment to being a role model and a champion of pupils with SEND
  • Experience of supporting young people for their intimate care needs
  • The ability to be an integral part of a team of staff
  • A relentless drive to secure the best possible outcomes for students of all abilities and from all backgrounds 
  • Excellent communication and ICT skills 
  • A desire to add to our vibrant extracurricular offer
  • An interest and commitment to the whole school community 

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

  • A competitive salary - as an accredited Living Wage Employer, you’re guaranteed a wage that meets, and often exceeds, the real cost of living.
  • Benefits including; excellent pension scheme, cycle to work scheme, free on-site parking
  • An opportunity to work with highly-skilled professionals 
  • Enthusiastic and motivated students 
  • An exciting and extensive commitment to professional development 
  • A school with its community at heart 
  • An exciting programme of staff wellbeing activities 
  • Wider career development opportunities to be involved across Gosforth Group

If you would like to discuss this vacancy further, or you are unable to complete the online application form and require this in another format please contact us by email: peoplegreatpark@gosforthgroup.org.uk or telephone: 0191 429 9797, option 4.

Applications are shortlisted for interview as they are received, and so early application is encouraged. We reserve the right to commence the interview process and close the vacancy prior to this date. 

The Trust is committed to equality, inclusion and diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Skills

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge

Excellent oral and written communication skillsessential
Ability to motivate studentsessential
Ability to plan own workload and meet deadlinesessential
Able to work under own initiativeessential
Ability to form effective professional relationships with a wide range of contactsessential
Ability to advise and monitor development and performanceessential
Able to work under own initiativeessential
Ability to converse as easy with students and provide advice in fluent and accurate spoken Englishessential
Ability to maintain paper and electronic recordsessential
Sympathetic understanding of the broad needs of students aged 11-16essential
Effective organisation and management skillsessential
Knowledge of the wide range of agencies working in the areas of learning support
Knowledge of the requirement of the National Curriculum

Experience

Experience of supporting children and young people with their intimate care needsessential
Experience of working with children and young peopleessential
Ability to respond positively and effectively to unexpected problems and situations
Experience of providing learning support to students
Experience of working in a school environment

Personal Attributes

Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with studentsessential
Empathy for children and young people facing barriers to their learningessential
An interest and commitment to the whole school community
A commitment to child protection and safeguarding

Qualifications

Good general education with English and maths Grade C or above (or equivalent)essential
NVQ Level 2 or 3 for Teaching Assistants or equivalent qualification (or experience)

About Us

We are a new secondary school that opened in September 2021. At Great Park Academy, our principal aim is to provide outstanding education for students from Years 5 to 11. We are a popular academy with a reputation in the local community for providing a safe, positive, caring and nurturing environment where children can thrive as learners. With high expectations and standards of achievement, both academic and personal, we encourage students to make excellent progress and to achieve their goals and aspirations. We offer learning experiences that support personal development and our staff promotes a love of learning which will be with our students throughout their lives. Great Park Academy is one of two new schools within Gosforth Group multi-academy trust. Our new school building, located in Great Park, opened in 2025 will service 1,200 students from Year 5 to Year 11. This is an exciting time to join our team, our growing academy provides great opportunities for professional development and career progression, as well as the chance to support us in shaping the future of Great Park Academy.  

Great Park Academy

People & Culture Team

PeopleGreatPark@gosforthgroup.org.uk

Primrose Lane

Great Park
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE13 9FR
People & Culture Team
PeopleGreatPark@gosforthgroup.org.uk

Safeguarding Information

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.  This means certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide and you can view our Policy on the Employment of Ex-offenders on our website within Trust Policies.    

Gosforth Group are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. References will be requested prior to interview for those candidates shortlisted. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, along with other relevant pre-employment checks.